<P> The Bosnian crisis of 1908--09 began on 8 October 1908, when Vienna announced the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina . These territories were nominally owned by the Ottoman Empire but had been awarded in custody to Austria - Hungary in the Congress of Berlin in 1878 . The provinces were chiefly by Serbs, and the territory blocked Serbia's access to the sea, which was a secret but powerful goal for Austria . This unilateral action--timed to coincide with Bulgaria's declaration of independence (5 October) from the Ottoman Empire--sparked protestations from all the Great Powers and especially Serbia and Montenegro . In April 1909 the Treaty of Berlin was amended to reflect the fait accompli and bring the crisis to an end . The crisis permanently damaged relations between Austria - Hungary on one hand and Serbia, Italy and Russia on the other . At the time it appeared to be a total diplomatic victory for Vienna, but Russia became determined not to back down again and hastened its military build - up . Austrian--Serbian relations became permanently stressed . It aroused intense anger among Serbian nationalists that led to the assassination of Franz Ferdinand in 1914 . </P> <P> The continuing collapse of the Ottoman Empire led to two wars in the Balkans, in 1912 and 1913, which were a prelude to World War I. By 1900 nation states had formed in Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro and Serbia . Nevertheless, many of their ethnic compatriots lived under the control of the Ottoman Empire . In 1912, these countries formed the Balkan League . There were three main causes of the First Balkan War . The Ottoman Empire was unable to reform itself, govern satisfactorily, or deal with the rising ethnic nationalism of its diverse peoples . Secondly, the Great Powers quarreled among themselves and failed to ensure that the Ottomans would carry out the needed reforms . This led the Balkan states to impose their own solution . Most important, the members of the Balkan League were confident that it could defeat the Turks . Their prediction was accurate, as Constantinople called for terms after six weeks of fighting . </P> <P> The First Balkan War broke out when the League attacked the Ottoman Empire on 8 October 1912 and ended seven months later with the Treaty of London . After five centuries, the Ottoman Empire lost virtually all of its possessions in the Balkans . The Treaty had been imposed by the Great Powers, and the victorious Balkan states were dissatisfied with it . Bulgaria was dissatisfied over the division of the spoils in Macedonia, made in secret by its former allies, Serbia and Greece . Bulgaria attacked to force them out of Macedonia, beginning the Second Balkan War . The Serbian and Greek armies repulsed the Bulgarian offensive and counter-attacked into Bulgaria, while Romania and the Ottoman Empire also attacked Bulgaria and gained (or regained) territory . In the resulting Treaty of Bucharest, Bulgaria lost most of the territories it had gained in the First Balkan War . </P> <P> The long - term result was heightened tension in the Balkans . Relations between Austria and Serbia became increasingly bitter . Russia felt humiliated after Austria and Germany prevented it from helping Serbia . Bulgaria and Turkey were also dissatisfied, and eventually joined Austria and Germany in the First World War . </P>

Which three countries were threats to the peace of europe