This article is part of the series The Road to World War I .

The First Balkan War

After the Agadir Crisis in 1911, Italy, following the French principle, was eager to extend her own influence in North Africa. Her unprovoked attack on the Turkish area of Tripoli stretched Turkish resources. This provided an opportunity for the Balkan League (Serbia, Greece, Montenegro and Bulgaria), initially thought by Russia as a buffer against future expansions of Austria-Hungary, to rid themselves of Turkish rule. Turkey was soon driven out of her European possessions.

The Second Balkan War

The peace agreements heaved upon the Balkan states by the world powers caused dissatisfaction. Serbia believed she had been deprived of her right to an Adriatic Coastline and that her share of Macedonia was inadequate. Greece thought similarly which lead to an alliance with Serbia. Bulgaria attacked Serbia (June 29 1913), resulting in a declaration of war of Greece, Romania and Turkey on Bulgaria. Bulgaria was soon defeated.

The emergence of Serbia

As a direct result of the two wars, Serbia had greatly increased in size, some million and a half people in total. Her standing army now numbered 400,000 men.

Invasion of Albania

Motivated by her success and her desire for an Adriatic Coastline, Serbia invaded Albania (September 23, 1913). The Serbs, however, yielded to an Austrian ultimatum and withdrew.

Consequences

The emergence of Serbia as an even more powerful state was a “victory for Balkan nationalism,” and a “disaster beyond remedy for the Habsburg monarchy” (Taylor).

A further defeat could be ill be afforded by the Habsburgs if they wanted to keep the unity of their patchy empire in tact. Wilhelm, although initially indifferent to the Balkan Wars, encouraged his ally to take a firm position towards Serbia and declared his willingness to stand behind Austria, “[I] am ready to draw the sword whenever your action makes it necessary […] Whatever comes from Vienna is for me a command.” Similarly France, who guaranteed Russia full support (given by President Poincaré during his visit to Moscow, August 1912) if a confrontation with Austria and Germany occurred. Clearly, the lines had been drawn: Austria was fully backed by Germany and Russia by France; Austrian and Russian prestige was at a law point and neither could afford a further (diplomatic) defeat. Only Great Britain and Italy had undecided positions by then.