WW1

The Balkan Wars 1912-1913

The Balkans are a very poor area of south-easten Europe
The Turkish empire was very weak. It suffered from increasing corruption and the rise of nationalism among many of the countries
Serbia wannted to unite the Slavs in the region and was angry
Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro formed the Balkan legue and attacked the Turkish empre in 1912
The Turks were Beaten easily and were driven out of the Balkan area and forced to give up their land
In 1913 the Blkan legue quaralled Bulgaria went to war with Greece and Serbia
Turkey and Romania joined the Greek and Serbian side
Bulgaria was soon defeated losing land to all of the counties
In both these wars Britain tried to keep the peace- instead of supporting Russia who were on Serbia's side.Germany saw this as a sign that the Triple Entente was weak

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Austria-Hungary had been given control of Bosnia by an 1978 treaty
They then made a deal with Russia saying if they supported this treaty they could then then get their warships through Turkish boarders and into Russia
This did'nt happen as other powers stood against it but Austria-Hungary went along with it
Russia protested but Germany stoodby Austria-Hungary as they were allies
Russia moblized their army but was not strong enough to defeat both Austria-Hungary and Germnay
This left Russia feeling angry and humiliated