O'Mahony Letters on the Balkans in 1914

First Letter: The Bulgarian and Serbian Treaty Before the War of 1912

November 2nd, 1914

Great Britain’s Declaration of War

Great Britain declared war on Germany because Germany broke a treaty, and by doing so, Britain gained eternal honor. In 1913, Bulgaria was forced to go to war with Serbia because Serbia broke a treaty. So, are treaties made by Great Powers more important than treaties made by smaller countries?

The Problem with Small Nations and Treaties

Since the Treaty of Berlin, which was one of the worst decisions in modern European history, the freedom of small nations has been ignored, and promises made to them have been broken. Military power and territorial greed have shaped the decisions of Europe’s leaders Sightseeing Turkey.

When Germany took control of Alsace and Lorraine, it made war between France and Germany inevitable. Similarly, if the Treaty of San Stefano had been respected, Bulgaria would have grown stronger and acted as a defense against aggression from more powerful neighbors.

The Treaty of Berlin’s Impact

The Treaty of Berlin placed the mainly Bulgarian population of Macedonia back under Turkish control. It also split the Bulgarian race into two smaller states. This decision put the Balkans at the mercy of powerful neighboring countries, and it set the stage for war between Austria and Russia, a war that was only a matter of time.

Britain’s Responsibility

Great Britain, which played a leading role in the Treaty of Berlin, bears a heavy responsibility for the division of the Bulgarian people. This responsibility still affects Britain more than any other European country today.