July 1914-December 1914

Abstract

During the first stage of the war, Austro-Hungarian war aims in the Balkans focused on three concerns: the Adriatic question, the defeat of Serbia, and making use of Bulgarian deterrence to keep Rumania neutral. Military failure against Serbia made it difficult both to defeat Montenegro and maintain influence in Albania. As we shall see, Foreign Minister Berchtold and General Conrad agreed that, although dominance of the Western Balkans¹ was a vital war aim, circumstances forced the AOK to focus on the Russian and Serbian fronts, both of which were menacing. Berchtold was left trying to deal with an expansionist Italy and a not very understanding ally in Berlin pressing him to grant territorial and other concessions to prevent Rome from joining the Entente.² Although Berchtold espoused the war aims in the Balkans as his priority, he was unable to secure them militarily and had no choice but to use diplomacy to restrain Italy. He was unable to count on the Monarchy’s own military victories in the Balkans to secure his voice in Albania, and because German pressure to keep Italy neutral escalated, Berchtold was unable to prevent Italian involvement in the Western Balkans which threatened the Monarchy’s interests in the region. Nevertheless, the MdÄ’s principal objectives lay in the Balkans, it remained in control of decision-making within the Austro-Hungarian political structure, and its core aims were consistent with previous policy and were only abandoned when it was unavoidable.