Omari Gates
The conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia during the First World War had complex origins. One key cause was the weakening of the Ottoman Empire, which allowed countries within it to fight for independence and greater powers to attempt to take control. After the Treaty of Berlin in 1878, Austria-Hungary was given the right to occupy and administer the Ottoman province of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which it annexed in 1908, angering Serbia, which had wanted control of the province. The Bosnian crisis of 1908-09 convinced Austrian diplomats that war with Serbia was inevitable. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Bosnian Serb nationalist in 1914 was used by Austria-Hungary as a pretext for war, and the country presented Serbia with a rigid, largely accepted ultimatum, which was ultimately rejected, leading to the declaration of war.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Ultimatum | 23 July 1914 |
| Reason for Ultimatum | Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie |
| Assassin | Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist |
| Austria-Hungary's Plan | To force a military conflict with Serbia |
| Support | Germany |
| Austria-Hungary's Goal | To conquer Serbia and acquire territory from the collapsing Ottoman Empire |
| Serbia's Response | Accepted all terms except one: refused to allow Austria-Hungary's participation in the internal inquiry |
| Result | Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on 28 July 1914 |
| Outcome | Led to World War I |
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What You'll Learn
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The Black Hand, a secret society dedicated to creating a Greater Serbia through "terrorist action", was established in May 1911. Within Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Black Hand's network penetrated local revolutionary movements such as Young Bosnia. In the spring of 1912, in a plot involving Young Bosnians, a Bosnian Croat student named Luka Jukić attempted to assassinate the Governor of Croatia, Count Slavko Cuvaj. In March 1914, members of the Black Hand informed one of their assassins, Muhamed Mehmedbašić, that they believed an attack on Franz Ferdinand would be far more important than an attack on the Potiorek, and that they would support it. Unbeknownst to the Black Hand, a second plot against the archduke had also arisen that spring, when Gavrilo Princip was shown a newspaper cutting announcing Archduke Franz Ferdinand's visit to Bosnia in June by his friend and fellow Young Bosnia member Nedeljko Čabrinović.
Upon arriving in Bosnia, Franz Ferdinand and his wife rode side by side in an open carriage. The archduke had previously decided to bring his wife because, due to a loophole, she could only enjoy the recognition of his rank when he was acting in a military capacity. On the day of the assassination, the couple arrived at the Town Hall for a scheduled reception, where Franz Ferdinand showed signs of stress, interrupting a prepared speech of welcome by Mayor Fehim Čurčić to protest the greeting he had received earlier in the day, which included an assassination attempt. After a pause, the mayor gave his speech, and the archduke added a few remarks about the day's events, thanking the people of Sarajevo for their ovations. Officials and members of the Archduke's party discussed what to do next, with the archduke's chamberlain, Baron Rumerskirch, proposing that the couple remain at the Town Hall until troops could be brought into the city to line the streets.
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Austria-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina
Background of the Annexation
The Treaty of Berlin in 1878 granted Austria-Hungary the right to occupy and administer the provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which were formally part of the Ottoman Empire. This arrangement was intended to be temporary, with the legal title remaining with the Ottoman Empire (specifically, with Turkey). From 1878 until 1908, Austria-Hungary administered the provinces, investing significantly in their economic development and integrating them into their empire.
Reasons for the Annexation
There were several factors that motivated Austria-Hungary to formally annex Bosnia and Herzegovina:
- Strategic Value: Bosnia-Herzegovina held strategic value for Austria-Hungary due to its location in the Balkans.
- Competition with Serbia and Russia: There were growing fears in Austria-Hungary about the increasing strength of Serbia and Russia. By annexing Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria-Hungary aimed to prevent these provinces from falling under Serbian or Russian control.
- Pan-Slavic Ambitions: There were nationalist sentiments among the largely Slavic population of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who had ethnic and geographical ties with Serbia. Austria-Hungary wanted to prevent these provinces from becoming part of a potential pan-Slavic state.
- Domestic Politics: The annexation was also influenced by domestic politics within Austria-Hungary. The decision to annex was made by the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister, Alois Aehrenthal, who sought to solidify Austria-Hungary's position in the Balkans and assert its dominance over Serbia.
Reaction to the Annexation
The annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary had significant repercussions and caused outrage in several quarters:
- Serbia: Serbia was enraged by the annexation as it had its own ambitions to control Bosnia and Herzegovina to further its pan-Slavic agenda. Serbia demanded that Austria cede a portion of the annexed territory.
- Russia: Although Russia was forced to submit to the annexation, its foreign office viewed Austria-Hungary's actions as aggressive and threatening. Russia's response was to encourage anti-Austrian sentiment in Serbia and other Balkan provinces, which heightened Austrian fears of Slavic expansionism.
- Great Powers: The annexation sparked protestations from other Great Powers in Europe, who were concerned about the disruption of the balance of power.
- Internal Opposition: Even within Austria-Hungary, there was opposition to the annexation, with both Austria and Hungary vying for control over the provinces themselves.
Impact on Relations with Serbia
The annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary permanently damaged relations with Serbia. Serbia felt that Austria-Hungary was thwarting its territorial ambitions in the Balkans. This resentment, coupled with competing alliances and growing nationalism, contributed to the hostile relationship between the two countries, ultimately leading to the outbreak of World War I in 1914.
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Serbian nationalism
One of the key aspects of Serbian nationalism is the belief in a centralized Yugoslav state that guarantees the unity of Serbs. This centralist vision of Yugoslavia, supported by Serbian nationalists, clashed with the confederal or federal state advocated by non-Serbs, particularly Croatian and Slovenian nationalists. This antagonism between centralized and decentralized ideologies was a major source of unstable governance in Yugoslavia during the interwar period. Serbian nationalists opposed any efforts to decentralize the state, arguing that a "Strong Serbdom" was necessary for a "Strong Yugoslavia".
The results of the Balkan Wars also contributed to the hostility between Serbia and Austria-Hungary. Serbia's gains from the First Balkan War, including control of the Adriatic coastline and Albania, were lost after the Treaty of London in 1913. Serbia blamed Austria-Hungary for this loss of land, while Austria-Hungary feared Serbian growth. Additionally, the Second Balkan War in 1913, in which Serbia and Greece went to war with Bulgaria, further fueled tensions in the region.
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Austria-Hungary's support of Bulgaria's claims against Serbia
One key factor was the weakening of the Ottoman Empire, which allowed its former territories to seek independence and sparked competition among the great powers to fill the vacuum. Bulgaria, which had been de facto independent since 1878, formally declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in October 1908, setting off diplomatic protests and discussions. This declaration of independence was a significant development, as it challenged the existing power dynamics in the region.
Austria-Hungary's support for Bulgaria was also influenced by its rivalry with Serbia and its desire to curb Serbian ambitions in the Balkans. Serbia had its own aspirations for expansion and control in the region, which clashed with those of Austria-Hungary. By supporting Bulgaria's claims, Austria-Hungary sought to limit Serbia's influence and prevent it from establishing a dominant position.
Additionally, Austria-Hungary's decision to support Bulgaria was part of a broader alliance strategy. Bulgaria, along with Serbia, was allied with Russia, the Ottoman Empire, and, at times, with Austria-Hungary itself. This complex web of alliances, known as "The Web of Alliances," reflected the shifting loyalties and strategic calculations of the various powers involved.
Another factor contributing to Austria-Hungary's support for Bulgaria was the Bosnian Crisis of 1908-1909. During this crisis, Austria-Hungary annexed the province of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which had previously been under Ottoman rule. This annexation angered Serbia, as they had their own aspirations for controlling this territory. Serbia mobilized its army and demanded that the annexation be reversed or that they receive compensation. Ultimately, these demands were rejected, further straining relations between Serbia and Austria-Hungary.
The Treaty of London, signed in May 1913, also played a role in shaping Austria-Hungary's support for Bulgaria. As a result of this treaty, Serbia lost control of the Adriatic coast, and Albania was established as an independent state. Serbia considered these outcomes inadequate and blamed Austria-Hungary for their loss of land. This fueled resentment and hostility toward Austria-Hungary, further reinforcing their decision to support Bulgaria's claims.
In conclusion, Austria-Hungary's support of Bulgaria's claims against Serbia was influenced by a combination of factors, including the weakening of the Ottoman Empire, the desire to curb Serbian expansion, alliance dynamics, and the fallout from the Bosnian Crisis and the Treaty of London. These factors contributed to a complex and volatile diplomatic situation in the Balkans, which ultimately played a significant role in the outbreak of World War I.
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The Treaty of London
The treaty was meant to be secret, but an outline of its provisions became known to the Yugoslav Committee and its supporters in London in late April 1915. Serbia and the Yugoslav Committee strongly protested the treaty in Entente capitals. Pašić, a Serbian statesman, criticised the disregard for the self-determination principle on which the Niš Declaration rested and the lack of consultations with Serbia. He demanded that the Entente refrain from treaties with Hungary or Romania on borders of interest to Croatia without prior consultation with Serbia.
News of the treaty compelled the Yugoslav Committee to adopt a less critical view of Serbian demands concerning the method of political unification of the South Slavs. It became clear that the unity of the Croats and Slovenes would depend on Serbia's success. In 1917, Pašić and Trumbić, the president of the Yugoslav Committee, negotiated and agreed upon the Corfu Declaration, setting out a plan for the post-war unification of South Slavs to counter the Italian territorial claims outlined in the Treaty of London.
On 22 May 1915, Italy declared war against Austria-Hungary alone, ignoring Article 2 of the treaty, which required Italy to wage war against all the Central Powers. France accused Italy of violating the Treaty of London, and Russia speculated on a potential non-aggression agreement between Italy and Germany. Italy's delay in declaring war on Germany led to isolation from the Entente powers. It was not until August 1916 that Italy declared war on Germany, nearly suffering military defeat by the Central Powers in 1917 at the Battle of Caporetto.
After the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Bolsheviks refuted all treaties concluded by the previous Tsarist regime, including the Treaty of London. The treaty stood in violation of US President Wilson's plans for a postwar order and thus received little regard at the Paris Peace Conference. Ultimately, Italy was awarded much, but not all, of the promised territories.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria-Hungary was upset with Serbia due to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife by Bosnian Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip. This, along with Serbian ambition in the Balkans region, led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia.
Austria-Hungary presented Serbia with an ultimatum on July 23, 1914, which included demands to suppress anti-Austrian propaganda and allow Austria-Hungary to investigate the archduke's killing. Serbia accepted all demands except for one, which led to Austria-Hungary breaking diplomatic ties and declaring war on July 28, 1914.
There were several underlying causes, including the weakening of the Ottoman Empire, which allowed countries within it to seek independence and greater powers to try to take control. Additionally, Serbia's growing strength and territorial gains angered Austria-Hungary, which feared Serbian expansion. The results of the Balkan Wars also contributed to the hostility, as Serbia felt that Austria-Hungary thwarted its gains in the region.
After declaring war, Austria-Hungary initiated military actions against Serbia, including a bombardment of Belgrade. Russia, Serbia's ally, mobilized its troops, leading to a crisis that eventually escalated into World War I, with Germany, France, and Britain also becoming involved.
