The Russians were also Slavs, so they promoted Slav nationalism and helped the Slavs owned by the Ottomans gain independence, as a problem for Austria-Hungary could only mean something positive for Russia.
Austria-Hungary now felt threatened and decided that they wanted continuation of Ottoman control, because it did not want more independent countries in the Balkans due to Russia, thus they also wanted less Russian influence within the Balkan region, however there was a problem in which the Ottomans could no longer keep control of Bosnia-Herzegovina so they gave it to Austria-Hungary to ‘administer’, so Austria-Hungary provided ‘peaceful protection’ for the country, as Austria-Hungary did not want to see the Serbs in Bosnia-Herzegovina join with Siberia.
Bosnia-Herzegovina became a problem which caused much conflict between the two Empires (Austria-Hungary and the Ottomans). In 1908 there was an uprising in the Ottomans in which the Turks overthrew the Sultan and modernised Turkey. The Hasburg family were shocked when they heard this, if the Ottomans became strong once again, they would take back Bosnia-Herzegovina from Austria-Hungary, even though it was still technically the Ottomans and they had asked for Austria-Hungary to only ‘administrate’ it. Austria-Hungary became very deceitful and announced in September 1908 that Austria-Hungary had annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina meaning that Bosnia-Herzegovina was now officially part of the Hasburg family.
This treacherous decision obviously instantly increased tension between the Ottomans as they considered their territory to be seized, however the Serbians also were very angry as they hoped to bring the Serbs in Bosnia-Herzegovina into Siberia. The Russians were also objective of this action which increased the power of the Hasburg family.
However all these problems were put to an end as Austria-Hungary paid the Turks compensation and tension between the Ottomans and Austria-Hungary were put to an end, however Russia was still considering war, but was forced to accept Austria-Hungary’s gain of Bosnia-Herzegovina as Germany said they would stand by Austria-Hungary as its ally. Serbia also wanted to go to war, but this ambition was put to an end when they heard Russia had accepted the Hapsburg families gain.
Austria-Hungary success came at a price, they made 2 enemies (Siberia and Russia) , who were very motivated and sure they would win the next dispute. This gain for Austria-Hungary also faced another consequence in which Siberians formed a terrorist organisation called the ‘black hand’, this organisation played a significant part in the war which broke out in 1914.
Despite all reforms made by the young Turks the Ottoman empire continued to break up. In 1911 the Turks fell from power in Turkey, many countries including its enemies (Siberia and Russia) saw this as an opportunity to attack the Ottomans. The Balkan league was formed, this consisted of 4 countries Russia, Siberia, Montenegro, Bulgaria. All these countries went to war against the Ottomans and in 1912 declared war.
Within 3 weeks the Balkan league had almost pushed the Ottomans out of Europe, the major decline in the Ottomans worried Austria-Hungary who feared nationalism would rise again and unsettle its people. The Hapsburgs’ were successful in convincing the great powers to sign a peace treaty. This brang the first Balkan war to an end.
This peace treaty did not last long as the war started again, however it was not similar to the first one where Balkan countries all united in order to take the Ottomans land. This war was about what each of the Balkan league had won in the previous war. Bulgaria attacked its former allies as it was unhappy about its gains. Romania joined in the war to take land from Bulgaria and even the Ottomans were able to win back some of their previous land which had been lost in the war.
Serbia became the most powerful country from the war, but however this was taken away from them by Austria-Hungary as the Hasburg family did not want Serbia to grow in power and become a great threat towards them.
By 1914 rivalry between the great powers had become so strong that many politicians had started speaking about it openly, however the one thing holding all these countries back from starting a war was a reason to start the war. This was given to them on in Sarajevo the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina. (Missing page 21)
The Arch Duke of Austria, Franz Ferdinand was murdered by a terrorist attack on the 28th of June. Five of the conspirators were arrested the sixth escaped. It is said that the organiser of the attack was said to be in contact with the Serbian Military intelligence. All the people who took part were said to be members of the Black hand which was made by Serbia when Austria-Hungary took Bosnia-Herzegovina, thus all the evidence lead to Serbia making them a victim of Austria.
Although after the assassination it was quiet, but behind the scenes many things were going on, for example the Hapsburgs’ decided that action had to be taken against Serbia. Austria-Hungary was quite sure that Russia would stand by Serbia and due to this they made sure that their ally’s were still 100% behind them.
On 5th of July the Kaiser was informed that Austria-Hungary were about to take action against Serbia and knew that Germany would stand by Austria-Hungary even if it meant war against Russia. On 23rd of July Austria-Hungary sent an ultimatum to Serbia requesting many things, which included sending people from Austria-Hungary to Serbia, in order to enquire. Serbia agreed to co-operate with Austria-Hungary however it did not give permission for people from Austria to enter Serbia.
After reciving such a response from Serbia, Austria-Hungary and Germany declared war on the 28th of July. The Russians expected this news and on the 30th of July the Tsar agreed to prepare his forces. Germany told Russia that if they were not to stand down they would declare war on Russia and as Russia refused to stand down, Germany declared war on Russia on the 1st of August.
Germany had prepared for this war for a very long time; they had already made a plan in 1905 called the ‘schlieffen plan’. This involved Austria-Hungary attacking Russia and Germany attacking France. Their plan was that a full scale attack upon France would finish them quickly and whilst them Austria-Hungary would hold off Russia and then Germany and Austria both could focus on Russia. Part of the schliefen plan was to go to war against France, this involved them attacking from Belgium, however Britain said that they wanted to honour their agreement which they made in 1839 (over a century ago) to guarantee Belgium’s independence, so on 4th of August Britain declared war against Germany, even though Germany said that they were going to war over a ‘scrap of paper’.
So Austria-Hungary and Germany were facing Britain, Russia, Serbia and France. The war started off only between Serbia and Austria-Hungary, however many others got involved, for example Germany got involved because it was ally’s with Austria-Hungary, Russia along with Serbia always had hatred for Austria-Hungary, they always wanted to attack Austria-Hungary as soon as they got a chance, but however were forced not to due to Germany. Britain however I feel was looking for a war; they did not have any problems but felt the need to intervene. Many people would say that Austria-Hungary were in the wrong, as they did not have actual proof that Serbia caused the killing of Franz Ferdinand, nevertheless I believe that the accusation Austria-Hungary made was right, as Serbia had much rivalry with Austria-Hungary before the event took place and all the evidence of the assassination lead to Serbia, the evidence showed links to Serbia (the ‘black hand’) and the military intelligence which tell us it was not just a terrorist group within Serbia which planned the attack, on the other hand many people will say that Austria-Hungary went too far when declaring war, but I believe this was the right step as rivalry would just continue to build and sooner or later the war would have broken out.
In conclusion I Believe the First World War had to happen; tension between these countries was growing day by day. It was inevitable; however I do believe that the World war should have gone on without Britain as they had no reason to join in, if anything they should have gone against Russia as they were the ones to ruin their and France’s trade, when they became part of the Balkans, although I do believe Britain got involved for a better reason, than a deal which they made over a century ago and was as important as a ‘scrap of paper’. The two main countries which I believe caused the First World War were Russia and Serbia. They tried to go against Austria-Hungary every chance they got. Both were pro-nationalist, thus automatically Austria-Hungary was there main opponent (after the breaking of the Ottoman Empire). The main short term cause which triggered the First World War was the killing of Franz Ferdinand, as I believe the Hasburg family must have been furious and Serbia and Russia must have expected the Hapsburgs’ to retaliate in such a way after the rejection of the ultimatum
