SHORT TERM CAUSES OF THE WAR - political aspect
In 1907, The Anglo-Russian Convention settled the differences between Great Britain and Russia over imperial aims in Afghanistan, Tibet and Persia. This agreement settled the tensions that had been growing between the two countries (McDonough 12).
The 1903 alliance between Russia and Serbia was challenged in 1908 with Austria-Hungary’s decision to annex Bosnia-Herzegovina (McDonough 12). Serbia had aims to unite the Balkan states, and was outraged by this annexation (McDonough 13). Russia came to Serbia’s aid, but was held back by Germany. The Kaiser declared that Germany would back Austria-Hungary if Russia were to declare war, which resulted in the first embarrassment of Russia in the Balkans. The Russian Government was “resolved to increase its defense expenditure” due to “German diplomatic bullying” (McDonough 12). After the Bosnian Crisis, tensions between Russia and Germany grew tighter. With the second Moroccan crisis, where Germany tested the Entente, attempts to negotiate with Germany ended completely (Darby 72). As resentment in Serbia grew for the Germans, there was a larger chance that Russia would back its ally if war was to break out (McDonough 12-13). An opportunity was soon created for Serbia to gain power. It created a Balkan coalition that united Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Montenegro. This Balkan League declared war on Turkey, which was soon won (McDonough 14). Bulgaria then brought war on 1913, choosing to attack Serbia. As a result of these wars, Serbia grew much more powerful, which threatened Austria-Hungary’s aims in the Balkans. Austria - Hungary drew closer to Germany, just as Serbia did with Russia (McDonough 15). |