1. Write an account of how events in Bosnia in 1908 became an international crisis (8 marks)
The Balkans was a key crisis zone in the lead up to World War One. It consisted of many small countries that were in the process of becoming independent from the Turkish Empire. Most of this area was occupied by Slavs. Serbia was the leading Slav state in the Balkans and aimed to unite all the other states under a Greater Serbia. Bosnia was one such country that Serbia wanted to take over. Austria-Hungary were also concerned about the Balkans; they had an empire made up of several different races of people. One of these were the Slavs and Austria-Hungary were worried that they would want to unite with other Slavs in the Balkans under Serbia, especially if Serbia took control of Bosnia. Therefore, when there was a revolution in Turkey in 1908, Austria-Hungary took advantage of the situation and annexed Bosnia. Austria-Hungary’s actions upset Serbia so much that it led to Serbia appealing to Russia for help and with Russian involvement in the issue, Germany got involved too.
LEVEL 4
Reason 1
Reason 2
This was a crisis as the events quickly escalated beyond the Balkans and since Russia had to back down in the face of the combined strength of Austria-Hungary and Germany; they were humiliated and determined not to back down again, making further conflict much more likely.
This event also became an international crisis because Serbia had been forced to accept the annexation, but was now determined to oppose Austria-Hungary to such an extent that splinter terrorist groups such as the Black Hand Gang were set up, whose assassination of Franz Ferdinand eventually caused World War One.

2. Key tips to help you to achieve a Level 4
for the narrative writing question
Making sure that you say both HOW and WHY the event became a crisis
Re-writing the question / statement – ‘This caused a crisis because…’
Following simple structures like PEE or PEEL
Start by describing the event (why did it start, what happened and why did it end)
Remember the rule of two Always identify and explain two ways in which the events became a crisis

3. Write an account of how… became an international crisis (8 marks)
Start – Why did the event happen?
Middle – What happened?
End – What was the end result?
Reason 1
Reason 2
Why did the event become a crisis? (what were its consequences?)
Why else did the event become a crisis? (what were its consequences?)