1. Crisis in the Balkans
Review

2. The Balkans (# 1 & 2)
• The Balkans (the
countries of: Romania,
Serbia, Bulgaria,
Albania & Greece)
were known as
Europe’s “powder
keg”.
• They were known as
this because there
were very high
nationalist tensions
between the countries
in that region.

3. Serbia’s National Goals (#3 – 5)
• The people that lived in
Serbia were Slavic.
• Serbia’s goal was to unite
all the Slavic people into
one country.
• Russia supported Serbia
since a lot of Russia’s
population was Slavic.
• Austria – Hungary was
not happy because they
were worried the Slavic
people in their empire
would want to leave and
join Serbia.

4. Bosnia & Herzegovinia (#6 &
7)
• In 1908 Austria-
Hungary took control
over Bosnia &
Herzegovinia a Slavic
region in the Balkans.
• Serbia was really
angry and this almost
led to a war, but both
sides backed down.

5. Tensions Rise (#8)
“We’re • By 1914 tensions in
ready! Are
you?”
the Balkans had
increased.
“Prepare
for war!”
• Serbia had gained
more territory and
power in the region.
• Austria-Hungary was
worried Serbia would
try to take over
Bosnia &
Herzegovina.

6. Franz Ferdinand (#9 & 10)
• Franz Ferdinand was
the Austrian
Archduke, meaning
he would be the next
leader of the
Austrian – Hungarian
empire.
• On June 28, 1914
while visiting Bosnia
he was assassinated!

7. 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.

8. The Ultimatum (#12 – 14)
• In response to the
assassination Austria
issued an ultimatum
to Serbia.
• The ultimatum had
many terms that
were unfair to Serbia,
and they tried to
negotiate.
• This led to war!