CRISIS IN THE BALKANS

CRISIS IN THE BALKANS

What was the spark that starts WWI ?What was the spark that starts WWI ?

Powder Keg of EuropePowder Keg of EuropePowder Keg of EuropePowder Keg of Europe

• Austria-Hungary controlled rest incl. Bosnia (Northern Balkans)

• 1910: most countries in Balkans won their independence (during era of Nationalism) from the declining Ottoman Empire

• Austria-Hungary controlled rest incl. Bosnia (Northern Balkans)

• 1910: most countries in Balkans won their independence (during era of Nationalism) from the declining Ottoman Empire

• Serbia wants to unite all Slavic- speaking Balkan countries into one nation

• Russia, who was also Slavic speaking supports Serbia

• Fearing revolutions in their other territories Austria-Hungary opposes Serbia

• 1800s: Most of the Balkans in S. Europe was controlled by Ottomans

No way!

• 1908: Austria-Hungary officially annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina, to prevent these areas from joining with Serbia

• Serbs vow to take these areas away from A-H

• A-H vows to crush any Serbian effort to take this territory

• Despite warnings that Bosnia is a “powder keg”, the Austrian Archduke visits Sarajevo

• 1908: Austria-Hungary officially annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina, to prevent these areas from joining with Serbia

• Serbs vow to take these areas away from A-H

• A-H vows 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 nationalist group called Black Hand

Archduke Franz Ferdinand Hapsburg arrives in Sarajevo, Bosnia

WAR!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 did not want negotiate further & declares war on Serbia• Russia, an ally of Serbia begin mobilizing troops• Britain, Italy & Germany ask Austria-Hungary & Russia to negotiate • No negotiations! Because of alliance treaties most of Europe will be

dragged into the Great War!

WAR!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 did not want negotiate further & declares war on Serbia• Russia, an ally of Serbia begin mobilizing troops• Britain, Italy & Germany ask Austria-Hungary & Russia to negotiate • No negotiations! Because of alliance treaties most of Europe will be

dragged into the Great War!

PRINCIP CAUGHT!

Franz Ferdinand’s Funeral

Black Hand