Long Term Causes of WWI
Militarism- Tension increased in the Balkans for the Serbians as the Habsburg monarchy saw Serbia as a major problem in the Balkans and the Habsburg monarchy wanted the quash Serbia’s territorial ambitions. To satisfy the Habsburg monarchy needs, the annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1908 was formed. (The Annexation Crisis began on October 5, 1908, when Bulgaria declared its independence followed by the announcement by Austria-Hungary on October 6, 1908, that it was annexing Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Ottoman Empire protested this loss of its land, and Russia, Britain, Italy, Serbia, Montenegro, and France, and Germany all became involved in this crisis)(McDonough 14-15). However, Serbia saw the annexation as a threat for Austria and engendered the Balkan League (1912), which consisted of Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Montenegro. The Balkan League declared war on Turkey and drove the Turks out of the European territory. However, Bulgaria felt cheated because they received no territorial gain and declared war on Serbia. Serbia won easily, as Bulgaria was isolated and severely weakened. Serbia with "an alliance of Russia had an army of 200,00 men and posed a threat to Bosnia- Herzegovina" (McDonough 15)
Alliances: During the first Balkan War, Serbia had an alliance with Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria and Montenegro. However their strongest power was with Russia. Russia agreed to protect Serbia from the threat of Austria Hungary (Mombauer, The Alliance System).
Imperialism- Serbia wanted Bosnia Herzegovina for trade purposes, however they were rejected by Austria Hungary. During the first Balkan War, Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece were given all the European territory of the Ottoman Empire except Albania. At the end of the Second Balkan War, Serbia was given "large gains in Macedonia, but was denied the Adriatic port under the Germans and Austrians" (McDonough 14-16).
Nationalism- The Balkans epitomizes the national groups trying to break free from higher power, in this case the Ottoman Empire. During the Balkans, the Serbians and many similar European countries like Bulgaria, Greece and Montenegro were under Turkish rule. Through forming alliances with these countries and having strong nationalism Serbia was able to drive the Turks out of the Balkans and gain a plethora of land, almost two times their original size of land (McDonough 15).