A. The First Balkan War (1912)

- In 1912 the Balkan League was formed by Serbia with Bulgaria, Greece and Montenegro for to drive Turkey out of the Balkans (by freeing Macedonia from its rule)
- Austria-Hungary mobilised its army but the public opinion was against to join the war
- The Balkan League defeated the Turkish forces on only a local war
- An international conference in London followed the war
> Compromises were made to solve the situation
> An independent, non-slav Albania was created for the aim of Austria-Hungary which still was not satisfied for the situation in the Balkans

B. The Second Balkan War (1913)

- The controversies begun with the members of the Balkan League
< Serbia had occupied territory which the Bulgarians felt to be rightfully theirs > Bulgaria begun a war against Serbia and Greece
- Austria-Hungary wanted to join the war if supported by the Germans (While Serbia might well be supported by Russia) but the German government called for restrain
- By the Treaty of Bucharest (August 1913) Serbia made significant territorial gains
- Military victory for Serbia meant a diplomatic victory for Russia and diplomatic defeat for Austria-Hungary and Germany
- After the agreement Serbia occupied territory > An ultimatum to withdraw its troops was given to the Serbs by Austria > Serbia accepted the ultimatum

> Analyse the reasons to avoid a war between the great powers in 1912 or 1913.