War Breaks Out

Nationalism in the Balkans

· People with diverse religions, ethnic backgrounds, languages

· As Ottoman Empire receded, new nations were born

· Russia and Austria competed for control of new nations

· Austria-Hungary (A-H) annexes Bosnia in 1908 and Serbia resents this

The Assassination of the Archduke

· Archduke Franz Ferdinand pf Austria visited Bosnian capital on June 28, 1914

· 7 assassins from the Black Hand, a Serbian nationalist group, plot against him

· 19-year old Gavrilo Princip shot the Archduke and his wife

Austria-Hungary’s Ultimatum

· Germany gave “blank check” of military support to Austria-Hungary

· Austria-Hungary’s severe ultimatum to Serbia

· Serbia refuses to let Austria-Hungary’s officials run an investigation in Serbia

· Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914

The Alliance System Leads to War

· Russia supported Serbia and Germany supported Austria-Hungary

· Within one week, almost all of Europe plunged into war:

o Germany declares war on Russia and France

o Britain declares war on Germany