Serbia's Annexation: Austria-Hungary's Expansionist Ambitions

Serbia and Austria-Hungary had a complex relationship in the years leading up to World War I. Serbia, an independent kingdom since 1882, was bordered by Austria-Hungary to the north and shared a long history with the region, including occupation by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Serbia and Austria-Hungary had extensive relations, with Serbia even having a pro-Austrian king, Milan Obrenović, in the 1880s. However, after his abdication and the rise of the Karađorđević dynasty in 1903, relations between the two states soured, particularly around the conflict over Bosnia. This conflict included the “Pig War, a trade war initiated by Austria-Hungary in 1906, and the annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary in 1908, which increased regional tensions as Serbia also wanted this territory. These tensions escalated further with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, which led to Austria-Hungary's declaration of war against Serbia on July 28, 1914, marking the beginning of World War I. From late 1915 until the end of the war, Serbia was occupied by Central Powers, including Austria-Hungary, and divided into occupation zones. Despite multiple unsuccessful offensives, Austria-Hungary, with support from Germany and Bulgaria, eventually managed to invade and occupy Serbia.

The Bosnian Crisis

The origins of the crisis date back to the Congress of Berlin in 1878, which reorganised South-East Europe in the wake of the Russo-Turkish War. As a result, the Habsburg Empire attained the right to occupy the Ottoman provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Sanjak of Novi Pazar, while they officially remained Ottoman possessions. The Austrian administration set about improving the region economically and linking it more closely with Austria-Hungary.

In July 1908, the Young Turks staged a revolution in Constantinople, establishing a constitutional government and a reform programme. In response, on 7 October 1908, Austria-Hungary formally annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina, incorporating them into the territory of the Dual Monarchy. This amounted to a diplomatic defeat of Russia, which had agreed not to object to the annexation in return for free passage for its warships through the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits. However, the Russian public reacted with outrage, and the country's foreign minister, Izvolsky, was forced to support Serbian claims to a portion of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Austria, backed by Germany, threatened to invade Serbia if it persisted in these demands, and Russia, unable to risk a war against both Austria-Hungary and Germany, ultimately accepted the annexation.

The resulting embittered relations between Serbia and Austria-Hungary, and Russia's resentment at having been deceived, contributed to the outbreak of World War I.

Serbian Nationalism

The Serbian people had a strong sense of nationalism, and many aspired to create a "Greater Serbia" that would encompass territories with significant Serbian populations, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Macedonia. This aspiration put them in direct conflict with Austria-Hungary, which had occupied Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1878 and considered it an integral part of its empire. The annexation of this territory by Austria-Hungary in 1908 further inflamed Serbian nationalism and increased regional tensions.

Serbia's King Peter quietly supported the idea of a Slavic superstate in the Balkans, with Serbia at its heart. Serbian nationalism intensified after the ""Pig War"" (1906-1909), a trade war with Austria-Hungary, which Serbia won by diversifying its economy and reducing its economic dependence on Austria-Hungary. This economic independence fueled calls for greater political independence and unity among Slavs.

Nationalist groups in Serbia, such as the People's Defence (Narodna Odbrana), the Black Hand (Crna Ruka), and Young Bosna (Mlada Bosna), used propaganda and agitation to promote pan-Slavism and condemn their enemies, including not just Austria-Hungary but also moderate Serbian politicians who were perceived as weak in standing up to Vienna. These groups enjoyed support from within Serbia's power structures, including the military, bureaucracy, and even the royal family. In June 1914, members of the Black Hand conspired to assassinate Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo, an event that set Europe on the path to war.

In summary, Serbian nationalism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was characterized by a desire for independence, unity among Slavs, and the creation of a Greater Serbia. This nationalism contributed to rising tensions with Austria-Hungary, particularly over the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and ultimately played a pivotal role in the events leading up to World War I.

The Pig War

In response, Austria-Hungary, long used to setting economic policy, closed its borders to Serbian pork in 1906. This was a significant move as pork was Serbia's major export, most of which was bought by Austria-Hungary. Serbia refused to yield to Austria-Hungary and gained French investment to build new packing plants for international trade. Serbia also began to order materials from Austria-Hungary's rival, Germany, and pressured the Austrian-administered provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina for a trade outlet on the Adriatic Sea.

The tensions between Serbia and Austria-Hungary would eventually contribute to the outbreak of World War I. The assassination of Austria's Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo in June 1914 by members of the Serbian nationalist group, the Black Hand, was a flashpoint event that steered Europe towards war. In October 1915, Austria-Hungary and Germany launched a joint invasion of Serbia, which was occupied by the Central Powers until the end of World War I.

The Sarajevo Assassination

The political objective of the assassination was to free Bosnia and Herzegovina from Austrian-Hungarian rule and establish a common South Slav ("Yugoslav") state. Bosnia and Herzegovina had been annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908, and this had increased regional tensions as Serbia also laid claim to the territory. The Black Hand organisation was comprised mostly of students and young radicals, but it enjoyed support from some Serbian bureaucrats, military officers, and even members of the royal family.

On the day of the assassination, the Archduke and his wife were riding in an open carriage through Sarajevo. The Black Hand gang had planted six assassins along the motorcade route. The first three conspirators failed in their attempts, but the fourth, Gavrilo Princip, succeeded in shooting the Archduke and his wife at close range. Princip was found guilty of murder and high treason and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He died of tuberculosis in 1918, while still in prison.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand had far-reaching consequences. It provided Austria-Hungary with a pretext to settle old scores and declare war on Serbia, which in turn, triggered a political crisis between the major European powers and ultimately led to the outbreak of World War I. The event highlighted the tense and complex nature of the relationships between the Balkan states and the larger European powers in the early 20th century.

The Balkan Wars

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Serbia and Austria-Hungary had extensive relations, with Serbia even having a pro-Austrian king, Milan Obrenović, in the 1880s. However, after his abdication and the rise of the Karađorđević dynasty in 1903, relations deteriorated. Serbia's desire for territory in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was occupied by Austria-Hungary, further escalated tensions.

The Second Balkan War left Serbia weakened, making it a vulnerable target for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Austria-Hungary, along with its allies, particularly Germany, launched multiple invasions of Serbia between 1914 and 1915, marking the beginning of World War I. Serbia's defeat of the first Austro-Hungarian offensive wounded the pride of Austria-Hungary's military leadership, leading to a series of subsequent invasions. With Bulgaria's participation secured and the support of Germany, Austria-Hungary and its allies successfully occupied Serbia by January 1916, dividing it into Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian occupation zones. Thus, the Balkan Wars and their aftermath set the stage for Serbia's occupation by Austria-Hungary during the Great War.

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