The Balkan Powder Keg

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The Balkan Powder Keg
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The Balkan Problem

• Turkey (Ottoman Empire) ruled most of the Balkans
  at the start of this century.
• This part of Europe was called the sick man of
  Europe because it was so weak.
• All the major surrounding power wanted to
  increase their influence in the area were looking
  for an opportunity to take the Balkans.

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Why did they want it?

• Russia - ports on the Mediterranean.
• Austria-Hungary ports on the Mediterranean and
  crush the rebellious Slavs.
• Germany A Berlin to Baghdad Railway
• Italy Land on the other side of Adriatic.

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The chance they were looking for

• In 1908, a group called the young Turks caused
  chaos everywhere in Turkey.
• Austria- Hungary takes advantage. They seized
  the provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Most of the people were Serbs and did not want to
  be a part of Austria-Hungary. They wanted to be
  part of Serbia. Now Serbia was an enemy of
  Austria - Hungary.

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The Balkan Wars

• Italy attacked Turkey in 1911, beating them
  easily. Turkey was now very week.
• The other Balkan countries (Greece, Bulgaria,
  Serbia, and Montenegro) joined together in 1912
  to form the Balkan League.
• The Balkan League attacked Turkey and won. They
  were given all the land that Turkey owned in the
  Balkans.

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The Second Balkan War

• King Ferdinand (Bulgaria) wanted more land.
• 1913 Ferdinand attacks Serbia and Greece. This
  was a disaster for Bulgaria. They ended up being
  attacked from 4 sides. (they lost)
• Serbia came out the best after both Balkan wars.

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Set to Explode

• After all of this the Austrian Serbs gained an
  even stronger desire to join Serbia.
• The Balkans were now seething with hatred,
  resentment and unrest.