Warm up Sarajevo War of Attrition Total War Grigory Rasputin Bolsheviks

The War Begins The Spark The Balkans World War I began in Bosnia, the heart of the ethnically diverse Balkan powder keg. Balkan Mountains Bosnia Although inhabited by many Serbs, Bosnia was not ruled by Serbia, but by Austria.

The War Begins The Spark Ferdinand & Family The Spark Francis Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, traveled through Bosnia in June of 1914 Assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip. Gavrilo Princip

The War Begins The Spark The Balkans Princip’s assassination of Ferdinand is known as the “spark” that started the Great War. Balkan Mountains Bosnia

The War Begins Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany gave his ally Francis Joseph of Austria-Hungary “carte blanche,” or a blank check of support. A Chain Reaction Italy

Austro-Hungarian Emperor Francis Joseph The War Begins A Chain Reaction With Germany’s support, Austria gave Serbia a harsh ultimatum. Serbia refused, so Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. WAR! Austro-Hungarian Emperor Francis Joseph

A Chain Reaction Austria- Hungary Serbia

Russian Czar Nicholas II The War Begins A Chain Reaction Czar Nicholas II of Russia, a fellow Slavic nation and was ally of Serbia. Russia mobilized, or prepared its forces for war against Austria-Hungary. Russian Czar Nicholas II

Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany The War Begins A Chain Reaction In response to Russia’s mobilization against Austria-Hungary, Germany declared war on Russia. WAR! Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany

A Chain Reaction Germany Russia Austria- Hungary Serbia

Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany The War Begins A Chain Reaction Germany then declared war on France, another ally of Russia. WAR! Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany

A Chain Reaction Germany Russia Austria- Hungary France Serbia

The War Begins A Chain Reaction German troops invaded neutral Belgium. Belgium’s protection was guaranteed by Great Britain, so the British joined the war against Germany. WAR!

Germany Belgium France

A Chain Reaction Germany Britain Russia Austria- Hungary France Serbia Belgium Austria- Hungary France Serbia

Turkish Muslims Declare Jihad The War Begins A Chain Reaction The Ottoman Turks joined the Central Powers to combat pan-Slavism, which threatened their empire. Italy joined the Allies to gain Austrian-ruled lands that were inhabited by Italians. Turkish Muslims Declare Jihad

A Chain Reaction Germany Britain Russia Austria- Hungary France Italy Belgium Austria- Hungary France Italy Serbia Ottoman Empire

The War Begins In 1917 the US declared war on Germany after it sunk the Lusitania. Lusitania

Other European Nations in World War I Norway Sweden Den. Germany Britain Russia Neth. Belgium Austria- Hungary France Switz. Italy Romania Serbia Bulgaria M Port. Spain A Ottoman Empire Greece Other European Nations in World War I Allies: Romania, Montenegro, Greece, Portugal Central Powers: Bulgaria Neutral Nations: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland, Albania, Spain