5. Student distinguishes a variety of perspectives among historical actors participating in a given event.
The 1912-13 London Conference was a stage for all major European powers to exercise their power and test the loyalty of their allies. Each power had a different interests informed by their positions in the European power structure, and these perspectives can be explored by looking at the context of the conference. The main issue to be determined in the Western Balkans was Serbia’s access to the sea. This access was made possible by Serbia’s conquest of the Durazzo port in Albania. Austria-Hungary saw this potential access as an increase in Serbian power and the legitimacy of South-Slav state. Being a multi-ethnic empire, Austria-Hungary wanted to avoid causing any unrest with their South-Slav population. The Austro-Hungarian perspective was that a larger, mixed empire would fare better than the splintering of smaller mono-ethnic states. To avoid this occurrence, the foreign minister proposed the creation of the Albanian state which would block Serbian access to the sea. From the Russian perspective, Serbia would have to be supported as an ally, but the Russian military was not ready to be mobilized. This lead to Serbia eventually backing down and accepting whatever the powers would decide, as it saw the limits of its power because of its size. (WWI Centennial: The Conference of London Convenes)
Serbia and Austria-Hungary were the principal actors in the geographical conflict, but their allies Russia and Great Britain also played important roles in directing the conference with their own perspectives. Edward Grey, the British Foreign Secretary, wanted to avoid war at all costs because he believed it be an immoral way to solve issues between states. Because of this, he pushed Russia to calm Serbia and urged Germany to restrain Austria-Hungary. (Edward Grey and The First Balkan War)