1. The Balkans crisis
LO/ To be able to explain the importance of the Balkans to different countries
Name the Balkan countries
Explain why Austria-Hungary and Russia were interested in the Balkans
To analyse why this led to tension in Europe

2. Where are the Balkans?

4. The Balkans is an area in south-eastern Europe.
It gets its name from the Balkan Mountains that run through Bulgaria into Serbia.

5. So where exactly are the Balkans?
Is made up of the following countries:
Serbia, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Albania and Greece
Label the Balkan counties onto your map

6. Control of the Balkans
For many centuries, up until the start of 20th Century, Turkey controlled most of the Balkans
But Turkey was weakening and its control of the Balkans lessened
As a result many of the Balkan people revolted against the Turks
Both Austria-Hungary and Russia wanted to extend their influence in this region
They tried to use these disruptions to their advantage

7. Activity: What did the Ottoman Empire lose. What was created
Activity: What did the Ottoman Empire lose? What was created? Give examples. Looking at the map what could these new countries be arguing about?

8. Alliance System in 1914: Outbreak of World War I
= Triple
Entente
= Triple
alliance.
A slav country
Who were
Serbia’s natural allies?
Why would Austria-Hungary
Fear a strong Serbia?
Who are the two most powerful
Countries in the region?
Serbia
A slav country
A-H HAD MANY SLAV PEOPLES LIKE
The SERBS Who wanted independence.

9. Russia’s interest in the Balkans
A new movement emerged called PAN SLAVISM
Pan Slavism wanted all Slavs under Russian leadership
Opportunity for Russia to gain more control in Europe
Russia encouraged the new Balkan states to look to them for help

10. Austria-Hungary’s interest in the Balkans
Alarmed by Russia’s growing influence in the Balkans
The Austro Hungarian empire ruled over many different nationalities who wanted to be independent including many Slavs
Austria-Hungary was looking to strengthen and extend her empire
This situation would bring her into conflict with Russia

11. German Interests in the Balkans
Oil from the Middle East.
Wanted to see its friend Austria Hungary to extend its influence.

12. Situation in the Balkans
Many of the national groups that made up Turkey and Austria-Hungary wanted to become independent nations
Whilst already independent nations wanted to be bigger
Serbia wanted to contain all the Slavs
In 1908, Austria-Hungary annexed (took over) Bosnia, which upset the Serbs
Russia was too weak to help at the time
But promised to help the next time

13. Can you remember what the problem was in the Balkans?
Who are the characters? What are they fighting over?

14. Activity Complete your worksheet using the information sheet
Try to attempt the extension activities if you can

15. Fruit machine questioning
Name me two countries in the Balkans
Give me one reason why Austria was interested in the Balkans
Give me one reason why Russia was interested in the Balkans
What did Serbia want?