To protect itself, Germany formed alliances with Austria-Hungary and Russia, but this led to the creation of rival power groups in Europe. Germany also wanted colonies, which created conflicts with Britain and France.

Even though tensions were high, war didn’t happen right away because Bismarck used diplomacy, France was too weak to fight, However, Germany’s unification led to growing militarisation, nationalism, and alliances, which eventually contributed to World War I in 1914.

Following the Franco-Prussian War, the German Empire is proclaimed at Versailles. Otto von Bismarck becomes the first Chancellor of a unified Germany, dramatically shifting the balance of power in Europe. This marks the beginning of German dominance in Europe.

Bosnia and Herzegovina were under Ottoman rule but was administered by Austria-Hungary since the Congress of Berlin. In 1908, the Ottoman Empire was weakened by the Young Turk Revolution, which was a reformist group that aimed to restore the 1876 Constitution and to introduce a more democratic government. After it, Austria-Hungary saw the opportunity to annex the region, resulting in tension in the Blakans area as Serbia wanted Bosnia to be part of a South Slavic state.

The Second Moroccan Crisis (1911) increased tensions between Germany, France, and Britain. When France sent troops to Fez, Morocco, Germany saw it as an attempt to take full control and sent a warship (SMS Panther) to Agadir in response.

Britain saw this as a threat and supported France, making Germany feel isolated. Eventually, Germany was forced to back down, accepting a small piece of land in Africa while France took Morocco. Many Germans felt humiliated, increasing tensions towards Britain and France.

Although war was avoided because Germany wasn’t ready to fight, the crisis deepened rivalries, strengthened alliances, and increased military spending, pushing Europe closer to World War I in 1914.

The First Balkan War began owing to states that had previously gained independence from the Ottoman Empire, wanting to liberate people with the same nationality as them from Ottoman rule. The Balkan states, namely Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece, and Montenegro, eventually allied against the Ottomans, and their diplomacy was aided by Russia, as it wanted to prevent Austria-Hungary from gaining territory in the region. In March 1912, the Bulgarians and the Serbs made an alliance, which was backed by Russia. Then the Bulgarians and Serbs made alliances with the Greeks and Montenegrins, this led to the Balkan League being formed by September 1912.

Montenegro began the First Balkan War on 8 October 1912, which led to the Ottoman Empire declaring war on the Balkan League on 17 October. Throughout the war there were large battles such as in Buni Hisar/Lule Burgas between the Bulgarians and the Ottomans. This battle was the largest battle in Europe between the Franco-German War (1870-1871) and WWI. Eventually, after the Ottomans were severely weakened, and on 3 December, the Ottomans signed an armistice was signed by the Ottomans, Bulgarians, Montenegrins and Serbians. However, the Greeks continued fighting, although this ended after the Treaty of London, 30 May 1913, which was the final peace settlement signed by the members of the Balkan League and the Ottoman Empire. However, while the conference in London occurred,  ambassadors of the Great Powers met to ensure that their interests would be prioritised and prevail in the Balkan Settlement.

Until 1918 there were tensions throughout Europe owing to the Balkan Wars. For example, Austria-Hungary wanted more territory in the region, which angered Russia, who also wanted to have a sphere of influence in the region. Moreover, after the war ended, the Balkan nations began to disagree over the amount of land that they gained during the First Balkan War. This led to Bulgaria declaring war on Greece and Serbia in June 1913.