Military conflicts before the Great War

Ambitions to control Korea and Manchuria

England was worried by the Russian expansion in Manchuria

1902 British-Japanese treaty (Japan was helped against Russia)

Russian forces suffered a crucial defeat at Mukden and Tsushima

an Asian power defeated a European country

First Moroccan crisis 1905: Germany would protect Morocco from the French

conference in Spain: this would be a casus belli

1911 the Second Moroccan crisis: the Panther jump

German fleet anchored in Agadir -> had to withdraw

1911 Italian-Turkish war: Italy took Turkish military positions

the powder keg of Europe

conflict between Austria and Russia

1908 Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina

the Serbs were outraged -> Russia offered them full support

Germany stood behind Austria

the First Balkan War 1912: Slavic nations against Turkey and defeated it

Bulgaria became too powerful

Serbia wanted an exit to the sea

the Second Balkan War 1913: the former allies turned against Bulgaria

Romania got Dobrudja, Greece received Macedonia, Albania got independent