Consequences of the Balkan Wars for the Balkans

• Serbia became a significant power in the region

  • Within 2 years Serbia had increased her territory by 80%
• Serbia was angry at Austria-Hungary for insisting the creation of Albania at the Treaty of London

  • To Serbian ministers it seemed as if Austria-Hungary were deliberately blocking Serbian aims
• Serbian confidence led to the encouragement of nationalist groups like the Black Hand
• Bulgaria was deeply frustrated by its losses in the Second Balkan War especially after their early military success in the first war
• Bulgaria was angry at the lack of Russian support and as a result drew closer to Austria Hungary

  • They did after all have the same aims – to restrain and even crush Serbian ambitions
  • Bulgaria fought alongside Germany and Austria-Hungary in WWI
• In November 1913, the Ottomans invited a German general to Constantinople

  • This was to undertake a restructuring of the Turkish army
  • With military and economic assistance from Germany, the Turkish government hoped to win back some of the 90% of Turkey-in-Europe they had lost
• Serbia gained former Ottoman province of Kosovo and land in Macedonia
• The Balkan Wars had divided the states more than ever - Serbian prestige grew while Bulgarians had emerged frustrated and embittered, especially after their early military successes in the First Balkan War. 
• By 1913, it was clear that Bulgaria would never assist Serbia in any future conflict.
• Bulgaria had heavy losses with little reward and resented Greece's acquisition of Salonika.