1908   


With the emergence of new powers in Europe, the balance of power which Britain had always sought to maintain was in shambles. The new German Realm claimed its place under the sun. As a latecomer in the European concert of powers, some of its ambitions were frustrated. Like Italy, Germany tried to build a Colonial Empire, but had to make do with the leftovers. The Germans tried to assert their position by building a strong navy and by engaging in the forming of alliances. Germany was still at odds with the French over the annexation by Germany of the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine, while its ambitious naval program and its rapid industrial growth resulted in bitter rivalry with Britain.

Germany formed a threefold alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy. The Russians, as always ad odds with the Austrians, formed an alliance with France, the sworn enemy or Germany. France had also formed an Entente Cordiale with Britain.

The crisis in the Ottoman Empire resulted in the revolution of the “Young Turkish” movement, that wanted to make Turkey a constitutional state with universal suffrage. A stronger and reformed Ottoman Empire, long dubbed “the sick old man of Europe” was not to the liking of the Austrians and the Russians. The Austrians annexed the provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, occupied by them since the Congress of Berlin in 1878. The Sanjak of Novibazar, a mainly Muslim part of Austrian occupied Bosnia, lying between Serbia and Montenegro, was returned to Turkish rule. Russia once again pushed for free access to the Mediterranean through the Bosporus and Dardanelles. This was strongly resisted by the British. Bulgaria rid itself from the remnants of Ottoman sovereignty, and declared itself an independent Kingdom. Serbia, that had always wanted to include Bosnia and Herzegovina in a Great-Serb state, mobilised on the annexation of the provinces by Austria. The Serbs felt strengthened by the support of its Russian ally.

War was averted by the actions of Germany that warned Russia against intervention on behalf of the Serbs, while preventing a pre-emptive Austrian strike against Serbia.

The newly formed Balkan countries now formed an alliance. It was directed against Ottoman Turkey.