The Second Balkan War began at the conference table that had hoped to conclude the First Balkan War.
The purpose of the first war had been to conquer and partition Ottoman territory in continental Europe. However, no agreement had been made prior to the start of hostilities in regards to how the territory would be partitioned. Should belligerents who performed badly, meaning Montenegro, be given a share of the spoils? Should Albania be granted their long denied independence? The conference broke up in January of 1913 without settling anything.
Shortly afterwards, a coup successfully toppled the Ottoman government. The new rulers denounced the armistice and prepared for a resumption of hostilities. The Balkan League went on the offensive again and within days had captured most of the remaining fortresses retained by the Ottomans after the first war. The Treaty of London was signed in May of 1913, officially ending the first war.
The League members fell out amongst themselves again over the spoils.The Great Powers forced Montenegro to give up the port at Scutari to the newly created Albania. Bulgaria was the least happy. After performing the best of all the League members against the Ottomans, Bulgaria felt slighted at not receiving what they perceived as their fair share, particularly in Macedonia.
On June 30, 1913 Bulgaria attacked Greece and Serbia without a formal declaration of war. The League was not unprepared and within one week were launching their own offensives against Bulgaria. Sensing Bulgaria's weakness, Rumania - who argued that their neutrality had been critical to the League's victory in the First Balkan War - joined in on July 15th. The Ottoman Empire piled on a few days later.
By early August, Bulgaria was totally surrounded by enemies and sued for peace. The Treaty of Bucharest was signed on August 10, 1913, stripping Bulgaria of all their territorial gains made during the previous war.
