What were the tensions in the Balkans?

Answer 1

Nationalism was starting up in the middle-late 1800s. The entirety of Europe was trying to make a name for themselves, and the tensions between the Balkin Nations were probably based on their past wars, and this especially includes Austria-Hungary. The nation was too varied with races and cultures, and with the other nations having established standards with their people and becoming more powerful, it's needless to say that Austria-Hungary was envious.

Answer 2

From the beginning of the occupation Austria-Hungary counted upon ultimately obtaining permanent possession. Serbia, however, continued to hope that the provinces, or at least such a portion of them as would give access to the Adriatic, would some day be to her. The crisis in 1908-1909 sprang from the fact that Serbia believed that she must prevent the consummation of annexation by Austria-Hungary or give up permanently her long-cherished hopes.

Soon after the proclamation of annexation Serbia called a part of the reserves to the colors and lodged a vigorous protest with the powers, demanding either a return to the status quo ante or compensations calculated to assure the independence and material progress of Serbia. Serbian newspapers demanded a strip of territory extending across Novi-Bazar and Bosnia-Herzegovina to the Adriatic. The Government of the Dual Monarchy refused to receive the Serbian protest. It denied that Serbia had any right to raise a question as to the annexation.

The immediate cause of the war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb citizen of Austria-Hungary and member of the Black Hand. This group wanted to have an independent Serbia from Austria-Hungary.

Answer 3

Very basically...

The Balkans issue stems from the so-called "Bosnian Crisis" of 1908-09 and the "Balkan wars" of 1912-13

The wars were an important step towards WWI. Austria-Hungary was worried by the sudden rise of Serbia. A-H's ally, Germany was also concerned about what it saw as a Russian satellite state. Serbia's rise in power thus contributed to the two Central Powers' willingness to risk war.

Austria-Hungary had a massive empire and due to various treaties and military victories they administered the government of Serbia. Serbia didn't like this and there was a strong underground movement to gain independence.

The heir to the A-H empire (Franz Ferdinand) had wanted to visit the Serbian capital on what we might call a PR exercise. He wanted to show his face and demonstrate A-H's power over its smaller neighbour.

Long story short, due to a series of mistakes and alot of random luck on behalf of the assassins (That's the so called Black Hand Gang), the archduke was killed and A-H decided to use this opportunity to take full control of the country.

A-H told Serbia to surrender some freedoms and liberties or be occupied. Russia told A-H to back off or face war. Germany told Russia to back off or face a war with 2 nations. France told Germany to back off or face a war with 2 nations on 2 fronts. A-H called every ones bluff and invaded thus sparking the other declarations of war. The UK was eager to stay well out of it as it was far more interested in making money from the empire and didn't see the point of getting involved... until a small insignificant treaty from the 1830's popped up that stated that the UK would guarantee the neutrality of Belgium in any land war. The UK told Germany to back off Belgium but the Germans didn't take them seriously... Oh well it'll all be over by Christmas :D

Answer 4

There were many reasons and here are some.

First House of Karadjordjevic (Ruling royal house of Serbia and later Yugoslavia) was tied with Russia, this didn't suit AH.

Second reasons was that Serbia wanted to be economically independent of AH and AH wanted Serbia as her satelite state. Which eventually led to so called Pig War or Customs war in 1906.

Third reason was that in southern parts (today Slavonia and Vojvodina) of AH there were thousands of Serbs who wanted to unite with their motherland.

Fourth was Annexation of Bosnia by AH in 1908 where majority of population was Serbs. There were alot of protest in Serbian cities who wanted war with AH.

Fifth was AH intervention and making of state of Albania. Kingdoms of Serbia, Monthnegro and Greece liberated all of today parts of Albania and AH didn't want Serbia to connect with sea.

Answer 5

There were many reasons and here are some.

First House of Karadjordjevic (Ruling royal house of Serbia and later Yugoslavia) was tied with Russia, this didn't suit AH.

Second reasons was that Serbia wanted to be economically independent of AH and AH wanted Serbia as her satelite state. Which eventually led to so called Pig War or Customs war in 1906.

Third reason was that in southern parts (today Slavonia and Vojvodina) of AH there were thousands of Serbs who wanted to unite with their motherland.

Fourth was Annexation of Bosnia by AH in 1908 where majority of population was Serbs. There were alot of protest in Serbian cities who wanted war with AH.

Fifth was AH intervention and making of state of Albania. Kingdoms of Serbia, Monthnegro and Greece liberated all of today parts of Albania and AH didn't want Serbia to connect with sea.

Answer 6

Austria-Hungary was one of the Central Powers, backed by Germany. It was the enemy.