Crisis in the Balkans Review

The Balkans (# 1 & 2)1. The Balkans were

known as Europe’s “powder keg” because there were very high nationalist tensions between the countries in the region.

2. The countries in the Balkans are : Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania & Greece

Serbia’s National Goals (#3 – 5)3. The people that lived in

Serbia were Slavic. Serbia’s goal was to unite all the Slavic people into one country.

4. Austria – Hungary was not happy because they were worried the Slavic people in their empire would want to leave and join Serbia.

5. Russia supported Serbia since a lot of Russia’s population was Slavic.

Bosnia & Herzegovinia (#6 & 7)6. In 1908 Austria-

Hungary took control over Bosnia & Herzegovinia a Slavic region in the Balkans.

7. Serbia was really angry because they felt like Austria was trying to stop them from building a Slavic Empire. This almost led to war.

Tensions Rise (#8)• By 1914 tensions in

the Balkans had increased.• Serbia had gained

more territory and power in the region.• Austria-Hungary was

worried Serbia would try to take over Bosnia & Herzegovina.

“Prepare for war!”

“We’re ready! Are

you?”

Franz Ferdinand (#9 & 10)9. Franz Ferdinand was

the Austrian Archduke, meaning he would be the next leader of the Austrian – Hungarian empire.

10. On June 28, 1914 while visiting Bosnia he was assassinated!

The Black Hand (# 11)• The Black Hand was a

Slavic nationalist group that was responsible for the assassination.• The person who

assassinated Franz Ferdinand was from Serbia, so Austria blamed Serbia for his death.

The Ultimatum (#12 & 13)

12. Kaiser Wilhelm told Austria to give Serbia an ultimatum and if they didn’t meet the terms there would be war. He said if Austria went to war Germany would have their backs.

13. Three main points of the ultimatum were:• Serbia would have to allow Austrians into their country

to investigate the assassination.• Serbia would have to stop any anti-Austria activities

occurring in their country.• Serbia would have to fire any army officers or

government official who spoke negatively about Austria.

The Ultimatum (#14)Serbia tried to negotiate some of the terms of the ultimatum with Austria. Since Austria knew Germany was backing them they refused to negotiate and war was declared!

Europe 1914