In European history, in which year was the Second Balkan War (Balkan War II) fought?

Introduction / Context:
The Second Balkan War is an important event in the build up to the First World War. Questions about its date regularly appear in world history and general knowledge exams because it shows how tensions in the Balkan region helped destabilise Europe. Knowing the correct year helps you place events in the proper chronological sequence of early twentieth century conflicts.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The question asks specifically about the Second Balkan War, also called Balkan War II. • It is understood that this war followed the First Balkan War. • We are asked for the calendar year in which this war was actually fought. • The options are the years 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915 and 1916.

Concept / Approach:
The First Balkan War started in 1912 when several Balkan states fought the Ottoman Empire. Disagreements among the victors about the division of conquered territory led directly to the Second Balkan War. This second conflict took place in the following year, 1913, when Bulgaria fought against its former allies Serbia, Greece and others. Therefore, we need to remember the clear sequence: 1912 for the first war and 1913 for the second war.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the First Balkan War occurred in 1912 against the Ottoman Empire. Step 2: Understand that disputes over the spoils of that war quickly produced a second conflict among the Balkan states themselves. Step 3: Link this second conflict, the Second Balkan War, with the year 1913. Step 4: Compare this remembered year with the options given in the question. Step 5: Select 1913 as the correct year in which Balkan War II was fought.

Verification / Alternative check:
History timelines of the pre First World War period show 1912 as the year of the First Balkan War and 1913 as the year of the Second Balkan War. After 1913, attention shifted towards the assassination at Sarajevo in June 1914 and the outbreak of the First World War. By checking any standard sequence like 1912 (First Balkan War), 1913 (Second Balkan War), 1914 (First World War begins), you can verify that 1913 is the correct answer here.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
1912: This year corresponds to the First Balkan War, not the second one. 1914: This is the year the First World War started after the Sarajevo assassination, not the Second Balkan War. 1915 and 1916: These years fall during the First World War and are not used for dating the Second Balkan War.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the dates of the two Balkan wars or merge them with the dates of the First World War. A simple memory trick is to see them as stepping stones: 1912 (first Balkan conflict), 1913 (second Balkan conflict), 1914 (world war). Keeping this three step ladder in mind will help avoid mistakes in exam questions involving early twentieth century European history.

Final Answer:
The Second Balkan War, or Balkan War II, was fought in the year 1913.