The Balkan Wars

The Balkan Wars were two conflicts in the early 20th century (1912-1913) in Southeastern Europe, primarily involving countries in the Balkans seeking to gain territory from the weakening Ottoman Empire. The first war (1912) saw Serbia, Montenegro, Greece, and Bulgaria unite against the Ottomans, leading to significant territorial losses for the empire. Following this, the second war (1913) erupted among the victorious nations over the division of the conquered lands, particularly between Bulgaria and its former allies. These conflicts heightened national tensions and set the stage for future regional instability, contributing to the outbreak of World War I.