II. Crisis in the II. Crisis in the BalkansBalkans

II. Crisis in the II. Crisis in the BalkansBalkans

A. “Powder Keg of Europe”• 1878 – Serbia becomes an

independent country • Wanted to unite all Slavs and

create a Greater Serbia• Russia, mostly a Slavic state,

supported this• Austria-Hungary fears it

B. Shot Heard Around Europe• Archduke Francis Ferdinand (June

28, 1914) – Heir to Austrian throne and wife Sophie were assassinated in Sarajevo

• Gavriolo Princip – Was the assassin• Black Hand – Secret society

committed to ridding Bosnia of Austrian Rule

Gavriolo Princip

Archduke Francis Ferdinand

Assassination Video

• Austria accuses the Serbian government of being involved

• Use murders as an excuse to punish Serbia

• “Blank Check” – Wilhelm II gave Austria complete German support

• July 23, 1914 – Austria presented Serbia with an ultimatum

• Serbia realized that refusing to meet these demands would lead to war

• Serbia agrees to follow all demands except one

• July 28, 1914 – Austria rejects Serbia’s offer and declares war

• Same day Russia sends troops to Serbia

• August 1, 1914 – Germany, Austria-Hungary’s ally, declares war on Russia

C. Schlieffen Plan• August 3, 1914 – Germany also

declares war on Russia’s ally France• Alfred Graf von Schlieffen – German

General developed a plan for fighting a two-front war (1905)

• Schlieffen Plan – Germany would quickly defeat France then defeat Russia

Schlieffen Plan

D. Great Britain Enters War• France’s boarder with Germany

was heavily guarded • Germany marched through neutral

Belgium to attack France• August 4, 1914 – Outraged by

the violation of Belgium neutrality, Britain declares war on Germany

E. Europe Takes Sides

• Central Power – Germany, Austria-Hungary– Later joined by Bulgaria & Ottoman

Empire

• Allied Powers – Great Britain, France, and Russia– Later joined by U.S.A., Japan, & Italy

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