Assess the importance of Balkan Nationalism as a reason for the outbreak of the First World War

A convenient starting point is the Serbo–Turkish War of 1876-1878 between the Christian inhabitants of Herzegovina and Bosnia against their regime, the Ottoman Empire. Serbia at the time was an ‘autonomous state within the Ottoman Empire’ . Serbia declared war on Turkey on the basis of a promise of Russian aide. This Serbo-Turkish War, and the ensuing Russo–Turkish War of 1877-1878 eventually led Bismarck to press for the Congress of Berlin out of fear from the Balkans. This conference gave Bosnia and Herzegovina to Austria-Hungary and gave independence to Serbia, Montenegro and Romania. The Serbs were upset with "Russia [...] consenting to the cession of Bosnia to Austria" because of its 50% of Serbian population. Because of this Bosnian Crisis (1908-1909) the Serbian nationalists foamed a secret, almost terrorist, society, ‘the Black Hand’, in 1911. The Bosnian crisis had harmful consequences for the peace of Europe. It affected the relations between the Great Powers: “The moment Russia mobilizes, Germany will also mobilize"

The Great Powers were all ready to go in to war and to mobilize; they were just waiting for the spark and in the Balkans this could happen. Only Russia was not ready, which was supposed to be the protector of all the Slavs. It can’t help because it’s too weak after the defeat in Russo-Japanese War. Therefore, Russia is humiliated and needs to prove that it’s still a Great Power. This also why, Russia is almost forced to join the First World War in aid of Serbia. Which is another reason for the importance of Balkan Nationalism.

The Ottoman Empire, however, still controlled parts of the Balkans but they now felt capable of governing themselves; after the victories they had conceived from their war. Also the defeat of the Ottoman Empire again added to Balkan Nationalism and also led to the formation of the Balkan League. 

‘Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind’. 

Einstein was talking about extremist nationalism, which will always be a problem. Einstein was right in because after the First World War we were confronted with Fascism and Communism another form of Nationalism.

The Balkan League was formed in 1912 by Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Montenegro. Their goal was the expulsion of the Turks from the Balkans.

Because of the growing nationalism from these four countries, they sought power and prestige through defeat of their old regime. Turkey was in decline after the Turkish Revolution from ‘the Young Turks’ and their war with Italy in 1912. So this gave the Balkans a chance to defeat Turkey. So In October 1912, the Balkan League attacked the Turks and began what was to be known as the First Balkan War (1912-1913). The Great Powers started to interfere again and their fears of the growing nationalism and the Balkan League were appeased with the Treaty of London (1913): especially Austria-Hungary was threatened by the growing power of Serbia and was determined not to allow Serbia to get a seaport on the Adriatic. Their plan to link the Danube in Vienna and the Adriatic would fail again than. The Balkans, seen how behind their back the Great Powers were making decisions for them, felt cheated, which increased their nationalism even more. So the Great Powers rather stimulated nationalism by doing this than stopping it.

In the First Balkan War, The Bulgarians declared war against Greece and Serbia. But Serbia, Greece, Turkey and Rumania defeated the Bulgarians. Which had consequences for the Second Balkan War (1913): Bulgaria was dissatisfied with its share of the spoils and wanted to have revenge on his former allies, Serbia and Greece. But Bulgaria lost again.

With the decline of Bulgaria and Turkey, Serbia gained a lot of power in the Balkans and Austria –Hungary felt threatened by a Serbia growing power and wants to stop it before it’s too late. Why was Serbia so unmanageable and dangerous? Because the nationalism from the Serbs was extremely big, they were very proud Serbs and they wanted a unification of all Slavs: Slav Nationalism. They wanted Bosnia, which was controlled by the Austria – Hungary Empire. On June 24th, 1914 a young Serbian nationalist, Gavrilo Princip, part of the extreme nationalistic group ‘the Black Hand’ killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austrian throne while he was on a visit in Sarajevo.

This event was fundamental for the outbreak of the First World War, because this was exactly the reason where Austria-Hungary was looking for, because now they finally had a good reason to attack the area they wanted to control for so long already. So they send Serbia an ultimatum and asked Germany for help. Germany agreed and the war started 6 weeks after the assassination, as soon as Austria–Hungary attacked Serbia. So Austria-Hungary was supported by Germany and Serbia was supported by Russia, who had to recover from the humiliation to which she was subject during the Bosnian Crisis, finally coming in aid of Serbia.

Through the strong Nationalism in the Balkans, wars were fought and lost, the Ottoman Empire collapsed, the ‘Sick Man of Europe’. The Nationalism gave a lot of Balkan states independence, it definitely changed the balance of power and diplomatic relationships of Europe and created tension between the Powers that all wanted to control the Balkans now that the Ottoman Empire was gone and hence became rivals and finally resulted in the assassination of Franz Ferdinand and eventually the First World War. The Balkans managed to play an important part in the history of Europe through their search for self-determination. Within the Balkans, the nationalism of the early 19th century erupted into an ocean of patriotic fervor. Their desire helped bring them towards their freedom; however, with their independence also came a dangerous lust for power and excess of nationalism.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Brendon, Vyvyen – The First World War 1914-1918

Culpin, Christopher & Henig, Ruth – Modern Europe 1870-1945

Joll, James – The Origins of the First World War

Turner, L C F – Origins of the First World War

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