1. WORLD WAR I 1914 - 1918 Today’s LEQ: Why was Europe considered a “powder keg”?

2. The Balkan “Powder Keg” In June of 1914, Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary is assassinated by a Serbian terrorist group known as the Black Hand Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia & all of Europe’s major powers took sides Tensions had built up and Europe was like a like a “powder keg” waiting to explode

3. Four MAIN Long-term Causes Militarism – European nations engage in a massive military buildup Based on the idea a country’s goals could be achieved through force

4. Four MAIN Long-term Causes Alliances – European countries form partnerships to protect themselves Triple Alliance – Germany, Austria- Hungary, and Italy Triple Entente – Great Britain, France, and Russia

5. Four MAIN Long-term Causes Rival alliances threatened world peace Conflict starts between two countries but escalates to involve all countries belonging in political alliance

7. “Horrible Histories” Video Clip: Causes of WWI

8. Four MAIN Causes Imperialism – Rival European empires seek to keep power Colonial competition leads to conflict

10. Four MAIN Long-term Causes Nationalism – extreme loyalty and devotion to one’s country or culture Includes actions members of a nation take to gain self-determination

11. BALKAN “POWDER KEG” A series of unfortunate events… Use pages 382 – 383 to fill out the series of events leading up to WWI.

12. Chain of Events #1 Ottoman Empire controlled the Balkan Peninsula (imperialism); many ethnic groups wanted their independence (nationalism)

13. Chain of Events #2 Power struggle in the Balkan Peninsula between Austria-Hungary (A-H) and Serbia. Serbia wanted to expand its borders into Bosnia to create a larger Slavic state (pan- slavism) A-H opposed any expansion. Serbians are resentful. 

15. Chain of Events #3 Archduke Ferdinand visited the Bosnian city of Sarajevo on June 28, 1914 and was assassinated as he drove through the streets by Gavrilo Princip (part of the Serbian terrorist group, the “Black Hand”)

16. Chain of Events #4 A-H blamed Serbia for the assassination and gave them an unrealistic ultimatum. Serbia did not meet all the requirements. A-H declared war one month later

17. Chain of Events #5 Alliances were activated: Russia backed Serbia (both Slavic nations) Germany supported Austria- Hungary (Triple Alliance)

18. Impact! The Balkan “Powder Keg” was ignited WWI began!

19. Main Idea At the bottom of your Balkan “Powder Keg” summarize how the assassination of one man could spark world war