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

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

3. C. 1908: A-H officially annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina, to prevent these areas from joining with Serbia
1. Serbs vow to take these areas away from A-H
2. A-H vows to crush any Serbian effort to take this territory
D. Despite warnings that Bosnia is a “powder keg”, the Austrian Archduke visits Sarajevo (STOP!!!)
1. June 28th, 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sofia are assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia
2. They are killed by a Serbian Nationalist named Gavrilo Princip
a. Princip was a member of an underground group called “The Black Hand”

4. PRINCIP CAUGHT! Black Hand Franz Ferdinand’s Funeral II. WAR!
A. A-H wanted to punish Serbia (state-sponsored assassination)
1. A-H presents a list of demands to Serbia, Serbia agrees to most
B. A-H did not want negotiate further & declares war on Serbia
C. Russia, an ally of Serbia begins mobilizing troops
D. Brit., Italy & Germ. ask A-H & Russia to negotiate
1. No negotiations! Because of alliances most of Euro. will be dragged into The Great War!
Hyperlink on Princip and Funeral Pics