B620thand21st


 * The Balkan Wars**

In 1912 and 1913 the First and Second Balkan Wars were fought. Nationalism had been spreading since the 18th century, and by the 20th century, had become a major force in the politics of Europe. It was to be the cause of many great wars in the 20th century, beginning with the Balkan Wars. From the beginning, the two multiethnic powers of Europe, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire, had attempted to suppress nationalism, for fear that it would tear them apart. In 1912, those fears were realized. In the First Balkan War, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Greece broke away from the Ottoman Empire. A disagreement over the spoils of victory led to the Second Balkan War. The Ottoman Empire was destroyed; now Austria-Hungary was all that remained for the nationalists to destroy. In this tense atmosphere, Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian-Hungarian throne, was assassinated by Serbian ultranationalists (McKay 893). In a desperate last-ditch attempt to save its empire, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, hoping to force it into submission. The Third Balkan War had started. After intervention from other nations, the war escalated into the Great War, or World War I. Nationalism was without doubt the greatest social and political force in 20th century Europe, starting the Balkan Wars, World War I, and eventually, World War II.