Tension in the Balkans

Where is the Balkans?

Ethnic groups in Europe, 1896

The Eastern Question All the eastern Mediterranean and south-east Europe in the 18th century had belonged to the Turkish Ottoman Empire. Little by little, people from the Balkan countries shook off Turkish rule.

The Eastern Question BUTSometimes these countries became independent, BUT –sometimes they became part of the Austrian Empire –or sometimes they became part of the Russian Empire. Turkey was the "sick old man of Europe", dying and having its possessions divided up by its neighbouring countries.

Big Power Ambitions in the Balkans By 1870, Greece and Rumania had managed to gain independence from the Turks. To restore some order in the Balkans, in 1878, Bismarck, the German Chancellor, held a meeting of all the major powers of Europe. It was decided that Serbia, like Rumania and Greece, would be independent. Bulgaria would become a state, but still ruled by the Ottoman Empire. Bosnia would become a state, but ruled by Austria. Russia acquired some of Rumania. All the Big Powers acquired something, for instance Britain gained Cyprus.

The Balkans 1871 The Balkans 1878

The Balkan people did not achieve any of their aims and remained bitter and aggressive, both towards the Turks and the Big Powers of Europe.

By the beginning of the 20th century, the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire was beginning to crumble. Sensing the opportunity for independence, a wave of nationalism swept through the Balkans.

War broke out in 1912, when troops from Montenego moved into the Ottoman Empire. Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece joined the war and these Balkan allies drove the Turks out of Kosovo, Macedonia and Albania. These countries declared independence. Later the Serbs turned against the Bulgarians and occupied all of Kosovo as well as Macedonia.

FRANZ FERDINANDIn 1914 Austria-Hungary, (which governed Bosnia- Herzegovina), sent the emperor's heir FRANZ FERDINAND to Bosnia to try to stop unrest. He was trying to get the southern Slavs to play a greater role in the Austria Empire to stop the Serbians taking over any more land. WORLD WAR ONEHe was shot in Sarajevo by a Serb nationalist, an event which triggered WORLD WAR ONE.