The Treaty of Bucharest, signed on August 10, 1913, followed the Second Balkan War, which was sparked by Bulgaria's dissatisfaction with the territorial gains made during the First Balkan War. Initially allied with Serbia and Greece against the Ottomans, Bulgaria's ambitions led to conflict as it sought greater territorial control in Macedonia. The war quickly erupted in June when Bulgaria attacked both Serbia and Greece, leading to a rapid coalition of the latter two nations along with Romania and the Ottoman Empire against Bulgaria. The conflict exposed longstanding ethnic and territorial tensions in the Balkans.

The negotiations for the Treaty of Bucharest began as the warring factions realized that continued fighting was unsustainable. The signing of this treaty saw Bulgaria cede significant territories, including parts of Thrace to Greece and regions in Macedonia to Serbia. Romania, having entered the war tactically, was awarded Southern Dobruja. This reconfiguration of borders aimed not just to resolve the immediate conflicts arising from the war but also to establish a precarious balance of power in the region. The treaty also aimed to address some of the grievances that had led to the conflict, although many issues remained unresolved.

The cultural and political landscape of the Balkans was significantly changed after the signing, as the realignment of borders heightened nationalistic sentiments. Despite the treaty, the undercurrents of ethnic and territorial disputes continued to simmer, setting the stage for future conflicts, including the outbreak of World War I. The Treaty of Bucharest is thus seen as a pivotal moment in the historical trajectory of the Balkans, illustrating the fragile alliances and enmities that characterized the region in this era.