MAJOR EVENTS BEFORE WORLD WAR-1

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Major events before WW I :---
1. Moroccan Crisis (1905-6):-- In 1904-5 Britain and France had signed Entente Cordiale with a clause that Britain’s control over Sudan and Egypt would be recognized by France and the special rights of France over Morocco would be recognized by Britain.
Morocco (African country)

Germany became anxious of increasing French influence in Morocco. It pledged to maintain independence of Morocco and called a conference. But Italy, Spain, Russia and Britain supported France in the conference and the latter got control over Moroccan Banks and Police. This was a diplomatic defeat for Germany.

2. Britain-Russia Agreement of 1907: ---It ended their disputes in Asia.
Afghanistan and Tibet were recognized as British spheres of influence and Iran was divided into three zones with the North recognized as Russian zone, the central area as a buffer and the South as British zone. Russia hoped to get British investments for its industrial development after this agreement.

3. Bosnia Crisis (1908):----- Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia from the weak Ottoman empire.
Bosnia crisis
Bosnia had significant population of Slavs and thus Serbia also longed for Bosnia as an integral part of future Yugoslavia. Serbia called for help from Russia, which tried to organize a conference over the issue. But no conference was held as Britain and France withdrew support to Serbia when it became clear that Germany would support Habsburg Empire in case of a military conflict.
Bosnia crisis
They wanted to avoid a direct military clash with the Germans. Russia was not militarily strong to take any action in favor of Serbia. After this humiliation, Russia began its militarization so it could help Serbia if the need arise in future. Russia was now more suspicious of Habsburg empire’s ambitions in the Balkans and Serbia became a bitter rival of Austria-Hungary.

 4. Agadir Crisis (1911):----- When France deployed troops in Morocco, Germany got anxious of Morocco coming French control. It sent its warships to the island of Agadir near Morocco.
Agadir,Morocco
It threatened France that if it did not withdrew its troops then Germany will annex Agadir. Britain was worried that if Germany captured Agadir then it would be in a position to threaten British trade routes. Britain again sided with France. In a compromise, Germany was given a small strip of land in French Congo and in return Germany was compelled to recognize French control of Morocco. The German public opinion became bitter against France and Britain, and this event gave further boost to naval race between Britain and Germany.

 •BALKAN REGION:-----The Balkans, also known as the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographic area in Southeast Europe with various definitions and meanings, including geopolitical and historical.
Balkan countries


 5. 1st Balkan War (1912): ---Here the Balkan League (Montenegro, Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria) attacked Turkey and captured most of Ottoman Empire’s territories in Europe.
Germany and Britain mediated to bring about a ceasefire. In the peace settlement, the Ottoman Empire’s territory in Europe was divided among the Balkan States. Serbia was unhappy as it wanted Albania for this would have provided it with access to the sea but Albania was made an independent state. Obviously, the Austrian hand was working through Germany against Serbia.

 6. 2nd Balkan War 1913:--- This was fought against Bulgaria by Greece, Romania, Turkey and Serbia. Bulgaria attacked Serbia because it was unhappy with most of Macedonia being given to Serbia at the end of the 1st Balkan war.
Balkan war 2
After its defeat in the war, Bulgaria lost all territory it had gained from the 1st Balkan war. Germany had restrained Austria-Hungary from militarily helping Bulgaria. Britain on the other hand, had not come to the aid of Serbs. Germany took this as a sign of British detachment with the Russians. The result of the 2nd Balkan War was a stronger Serbia, which was now determined to instigate Croats and Serbs (both are Slavs) of Habsburg Empire for realization of the goal of Yugoslavia.

 7. Assassination of Archduke of Austria Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia (June 1914) :---- Bosnia had been annexed by Habsburg empire and the Bosnians were aligned with Serbia.
Assassination of Archduke

A secret society had organized the killing and the Bosnian government was aware of the plot but did not do anything to stop it. This event was definitely an act of terrorism and the anger among the Austrians was justified but Austria-Hungary took this event as an opportunity to try annexing Serbia. It presented Serbia with a set of demands with a deadline. Serbia accepted most of the demands but not all because accepting all the demands would have amounted to surrendering the sovereignty of Serbia to Habsburg empire. Serbia fearing invasion ordered military mobilization.
Assassination of Archduke

After the deadline, AustriaHungary declared war on Serbia. The assassination served as the immediate cause of the World War I.

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