Had great wealth, coal and iron, and investors ready to provide loans. More powerful steam engines gave miners access to deeper coal. Its ports, canals and railway system supported trade, and the Industrial Revolution increased its influence among the global powers.

Was Russia’s ally. It gave loans and diplomatic support to Russia and Serbia to limit German influence.

Strongly supported Austria-Hungary and developed close economic and military relations with the Ottoman Empire, including railway projects.

Wanted to stop Serbia from becoming powerful because Serbian nationalism could encourage Slavs inside this empire to rebel. It annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1908.

Supported Serbia, Montenegro and other Orthodox Slavs. It wanted access to the Mediterranean through the Turkish Straits and presented itself as the protector of Orthodox Christians.

Tried to keep its remaining Balkan territories, but lost most of them during the Balkan Wars of 1912–1913.