RUDOLF DINU
Romanian Diplomacy and the Italian-Ottoman War of 1911–1912. Concerns and Initiatives
Abstract
The strategic, political-diplomatic, and economic considerations, but especially the fear of Russia have shaped Romania’s option of forming an alliance with the Central Powers beginning with 1883. Later, to this there was added the fear caused by Bulgarian nationalism, which threatened the power balance in Southeastern Europe. The political and diplomatic collaboration with the Ottoman Empire has thus become a key element in Romania’s attempt for stopping Bulgaria’s aggressiveness, by promoting a status quo policy. Afterwards, however, the Italian-Ottoman War (1911–1912) and the Balkan wars that succeeded it played a substantial role in changing the status quo in the Balkans and for accelerating the disintegration process of the Ottoman state. Romanian decision makers tried to mediate in the Italian-Romanian conflict, thus trying to stop the expansion of nationalism in the Balkans, but also to respond to the internal manifestations directed against Italy as a consequence of the economic impact that the conflict had on the country.
Keywords: Romania, Italy, Central Powers, Ottoman Empire, Balkans, alliances, security, nationalism, mediation, 1911.