AQA · A-Level · History

    Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017

    The First and Second Balkan Wars: causes; attempts by the Great Powers to…

    Full specification wording

    2K International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890–1941 (A-level only) – The coming of war, 1911–1917: The First and Second Balkan Wars: causes; attempts by the Great Powers to impose peace on the region; the impact of the Balkan Wars on the Great Powers and Serbia

    The First Balkan War (1912) was caused by the Balkan League (Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro) exploiting Ottoman weakness to seize European territories.

    Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 1 of 4
    • 3 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    The First Balkan War (1912) was caused by the Balkan League (Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro) exploiting Ottoman weakness to seize European territories. The Second Balkan War (1913) erupted when Bulgaria, dissatisfied with the division of Macedonia, attacked its former allies. The Great Powers attempted to impose peace through the Treaty of London (1913), creating an independent Albania to block Serbian access to the sea, and the Treaty of Bucharest (1913). These conflicts profoundly impacted the region: Serbia doubled in size and grew increasingly nationalist, threatening Austria-Hungary. The Great Powers were polarised; Russia felt compelled to back Serbia in future crises to maintain prestige, while Germany strengthened its alliance with Austria-Hungary, escalating tensions.

    What earns the marks

    • Explain the formation of the Balkan League and its role in causing the First Balkan War by attacking the Ottoman Empire.
    • Analyse the causes of the Second Balkan War, specifically Bulgaria's dissatisfaction with the territorial settlements in Macedonia.
    • Evaluate the Great Powers' attempts to impose peace, such as the London Conference (1912-1913) and the creation of Albania.
    • Assess the impact on Serbia, noting its territorial expansion, increased military confidence, and heightened nationalist agitation against Austria-Hungary.
    • Discuss the impact on the Great Powers, particularly the hardening of the Austro-German alliance and Russia's commitment to supporting Serbia.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Confusing the causes of the two wars.

      Put it right: The First was against the Ottoman Empire for territory, while the Second was an internal dispute among the Balkan League over the spoils.

    • Assuming the Great Powers were united in their peace efforts.

      Put it right: Peace conferences like the Treaty of London were fraught with Great Power rivalries, particularly between Austria-Hungary and Russia.

    • Underestimating Serbia's gains; correction: Serbia emerged significantly larger and more militarily confident, which directly destabilised its relationship with Austria-Hungary.

    Exam tips

    • Link the outcomes of the Balkan Wars directly to the heightened tensions that precipitated the July Crisis of 1914.
    • Use specific treaties, such as the Treaty of London (1913) and Treaty of Bucharest (1913), to demonstrate the Great Powers' attempts to impose peace.
    • Contrast the differing impacts on Russia and Austria-Hungary to evaluate how the wars polarised the alliance system.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the 2K International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890–1941 (A-level only) – The coming of war, 1911–1917: The First and Second Balkan Wars: causes; attempts by the Great Powers to impose peace on the region; the impact of the Balkan Wars on the Great Powers and Serbia lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    What was the primary objective of the Balkan League when it declared war on the Ottoman Empire in October 1912?

    Listen

    The First Balkan War (1912) was caused by the Balkan League (Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro) exploiting Ottoman weakness to seize European territories. The Second Balkan War (1913) erupted when Bulgaria, dissatisfied with the division of Macedonia, attacked its former allies. The Great Powers attempted to impose peace through the Treaty of London (1913), creating an independent Albania to block Serbian access to the sea, and the Treaty of Bucharest (1913). These conflicts profoundly impacted the region: Serbia doubled in size and grew increasingly nationalist, threatening Austria-Hungary. The Great Powers were polarised; Russia felt compelled to back Serbia in future crises to maintain prestige, while Germany strengthened its alliance with Austria-Hungary, escalating tensions. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain the formation of the Balkan League and its role in causing the First Balkan War by attacking the Ottoman Empire. Analyse the causes of the Second Balkan War, specifically Bulgaria's dissatisfaction with the territorial settlements in Macedonia. Evaluate the Great Powers' attempts to impose peace, such as the London Conference (1912-1913) and the creation of Albania. Assess the impact on Serbia, noting its territorial expansion, increased military confidence, and heightened nationalist agitation against Austria-Hungary. A common slip: Confusing the causes of the two wars. Instead, the First was against the Ottoman Empire for territory, while the Second was an internal dispute among the Balkan League over the spoils. Exam tip: Link the outcomes of the Balkan Wars directly to the heightened tensions that precipitated the July Crisis of 1914.

    See it

    A top-down flowchart. The first node reads 'First Balkan War: Balkan League exploits Ottoman weakness' and leads to a node reading 'Great Powers attempt to impose peace: Treaty of London', which leads to 'Independent Albania created, blocking Serbian access to the sea'. The first node also leads to 'Second Balkan War: Bulgaria dissatisfied with division of Macedonia, attacks former allies', which leads to 'Treaty of Bucharest'. Both the Treaty of London node and the Treaty of Bucharest node lead to 'Impact on Serbia: doubled in size, nationalist, threatening Austria-Hungary', which leads to 'Great Powers polarised'. That node branches into two: 'Russia backs Serbia to maintain prestige' and 'Germany strengthens alliance with Austria-Hungary'.
    Shows the sequence from the causes of the two Balkan Wars through the Great Powers' peace treaties to their polarising impact on Serbia and the Great Powers.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Nationalism

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Alliance Systems

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Diplomacy and Treaties

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    Nationalism
    A force that grew in Serbia as it doubled in size, threatening Austria-Hungary with heightened nationalist agitation.
    Alliance Systems
    The alignment of the Great Powers, which became polarised as Germany strengthened its alliance with Austria-Hungary and Russia felt compelled to back Serbia.
    Diplomacy and Treaties
    Attempts by the Great Powers to impose peace through the Treaty of London and the Treaty of Bucharest.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A top-down flowchart. The first node reads 'First Balkan War: Balkan League exploits Ottoman weakness' and leads to a node reading 'Great Powers attempt to impose peace: Treaty of London', which leads to 'Independent Albania created, blocking Serbian access to the sea'. The first node also leads to 'Second Balkan War: Bulgaria dissatisfied with division of Macedonia, attacks former allies', which leads to 'Treaty of Bucharest'. Both the Treaty of London node and the Treaty of Bucharest node lead to 'Impact on Serbia: doubled in size, nationalist, threatening Austria-Hungary', which leads to 'Great Powers polarised'. That node branches into two: 'Russia backs Serbia to maintain prestige' and 'Germany strengthens alliance with Austria-Hungary'.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

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