Balkan League Success + Limitations

• Virtually all European Turkey fell to the Balkan League
• 4 countries with the population of 10 million had defeated a power with 25 million
• On 3rd December 1912, an armistice was signed between Turkey, Serbia and Bulgaria
• As the strength and ambition of the Balkan States grew so did Austria-Hungary’s fear of a multi-national Yugoslav Empire
• ▪ Hotzendorf, Chief of General Staff, argued for Austrian intervention

  ▪ The division between the standpoints of the Austrian military and civilian leadership widened and the Foreign Minister argued caution
• Serbia took Northern Albania, Greece seized Salonika.
• Each power had a different view for the future of the Balkans:

  • Bulgaria - independent Macedonia
  • Serbia - divided Macedonia
  • They couldn't agree on how Macedonia would be divided in the event of a Balkan League victory.
• At the instigation of Venizelos, Greece and Montenegro joined Bulgaria and Serbia to form the Balkan League - committed to driving the Ottomans out of the Balkan region for good.