What was the spark that starts WWI ? CRISIS IN THE BALKANS What was the spark that starts WWI ?

Powder Keg of Europe The Balkans region of So. Europe was controlled by two empires Austria-Hungary controlled the north & Ottomans controlled the rest 1800s: Various ethnic groups were having nationalist revolutions By 1910 most of those countries won their independence from the declining Ottoman Empire Serbia wants to unite all Balkan countries into one nation (most are Slavic speaking) No way! Russia, who was also Slavic speaking supports Serbia’s idea Out of fear they would lose territory, Austria-Hungary opposes Serbia

1908: Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina, to prevent these areas from joining with Serbia Serbs vows to take these areas away from A-H A-H vows to crush any Serbian effort to take this territory Balkans are a “powder Keg”. Despite warnings, the Austrian Archduke (Prince), visits Sarajevo, Bosnia June 28th, 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sofia are assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia They are killed by a Serbian Nationalist named Gavrilo Princip. Princip was a member of an underground nationalist group called Black Hand Archduke Franz Ferdinand Hapsburg arrives in Sarajevo, Bosnia

CAUGHT! Black Hand Franz Ferdinand’s Funeral WAR! Since the assassin is Serbian, A-H wanted to punish Serbia A-H presents a list of demands to Serbia, Serbia agrees to most A-H did not want negotiate further & declares war Russia, an ally of Serbia orders their troops to the Austrian border Britain, Italy & Germany ask Austria-Hungary & Russia to negotiate No negotiations! Because of the alliance treaties most of Europe could be dragged into the Great War!