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

By 1910, most countries in Balkans won their independence from the declining Ottoman Empire Powder Keg of Europe Serbia wants to unite Slavic countries in Balkans into one nation Russia, who was also Slavic speaking supports Serbia Austria-Hungary opposes Serbia, fearing this could cause revolutions No way!

1908: Austria-Hungary officially annexes Bosnia, to prevent it from joining with Serbia Serbs vow to take Bosnia away from A-H, Austrians vow to crush any Serbian effort to take this territory Despite warnings that Bosnia is a “powder keg”, the Austrian Archduke visits Sarajevo 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 group called Young Bosnia, who was affiliated with Black Hand

PRINCIP 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 refused to negotiate further, declares war on Serbia Russia, an ally of Serbia begins mobilizing troops Britain, Italy & Germany ask Austria-Hungary & Russia to negotiate No negotiations! Because of alliance treaties most of Europe could dragged into the Great War!