Events leading up to WWI

Why did the annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina create tensions in the Balkans?

Austria-Hungary’s takeover of Bosnia-Herzegovina caused anger in Serbia and Russia and made the Balkans more unstable.

Could you identify Bosnia-Herzegovina on a map?

What is the Pan-Slavik Movement?

Nationalist idea aimed to unite all Slavic peoples—such as Russians, Serbs, Croats, Bulgarians, Czechs, and others—into one large political or cultural community.

Why did the retreat of the Ottoman Empire from the Balkan region bring tension among the different states?

The Ottoman retreat led to tension because everyone wanted the same lands, making the Balkans unstable.

When/where was the Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary assassinated?

1. Archduke Franz Ferdined, June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo (Bosnia-Herzegovina) 

2. By Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist linked to the group Bland Hand

What caused WWI?

1. M → militarism: arms race & belief in war as a solution 

2. A → alliances: Europe split into the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy)  vs the Triple Entente (GB, France, Russia)  

3. I → imperialism: competition for colonies & influence 

4. N → nationalism: especially strong in the Balkans (e.g. Serbia vs Austria-Hungary) 

5. Germany’s WeltPolitik

The spark was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdidned and his wife 

If shown a picture of the Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary, could you identify him?

Which countries were the Allies and which were the Central Powers during WWI?

1. Allies → Russia, GB, France, Japan, Serbia, Belgium, Italy (joined 1915), US (joined 1917) 

2. Central → Germany, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria, Austria-Hungary

What were the main elements of Austria-Hungary's demands on Serbia?

1. Suppress all anti-Surtain propaganda 

2. Ban nationalist groups like Bland Hand 

3. Dismiss officials hostile to Austria-Hungary 

4. Allow Austrian police/officials to enter Serbia and take part in investigations

What were the main points of Serbia's response to Austria-Hungary?

Serbia accepted most of the demands (to avoid war) 

Rejected the demand of AH officials to operate inside Serbia (they offered to take the issue to the International Court of Justice)

Serbia accepted most of Austria-Hungary’s demands but rejected those that threatened its sovereignty, trying to avoid war.

Why did Europeans have the illusion that the war was going to last only a couple of months

Believed modern armies were strong enough to win quickly, and past wars in the 19th century had ended fast.

Why did the war last so long?

Trench warfare, powerful new weapons, global involvement, strong alliances, and national pride—all of which made a quick victory impossible and turned the war into a long, exhausting struggle.

Why is WWI a 'global war'?

Many countries from different continents, not just Europe, and its effects were felt worldwide.

Why is WWI an industrial war?

The first war was fought with mass industrial production 

1. Railways 

2. Machine guns 

3. Tanks 

4. Airplanes 

5. Submarines

What is the approximate death toll of the war?

1. Miliary → 10 million 

2. Civilians → 7 million 

3. Total → around 37 million 

When did the war end?

11/11/1918 at 11 am 

Why did the Germans call for an end to the war?

Asked for a ceasefire to avoid complete collapse

Losing on the battlefield, its people were starving, its allies had collapsed, and revolution was breaking out at home—making surrender the only option.

List two demands from Austria-Hungary 

1. Dismiss officials and officers involved in propaganda.

2. Allow Austrian cooperation in suppressing subversion.

Summarise how Serbia responded to each:

1. Austrian Cooperation in Serbia: Accepted cooperation within the limits of international law but sought clarification of the scope.
   

2. Judicial Inquiry: Agreed to investigate suspects but rejected Austrian officials’ direct participation, citing constitutional limits.

   1. Open to sharing investigation results.
      

Write a one-sentence judgment. “Was Serbia conciliatory or defiant?

Serbia accepted most of the demands that were proposed by Austria-Hungary; however, it rejected the most important ones, which led it to be seen as defiant