01 Bell Ringer Gavrilo Princip

Name:______Date:______Class:______

Bell Ringer: The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Instructions: Examine the picture. Read the background information. Answer the questions below.

Background: The Balkan Peninsula, east of Italy, became a disputed area on the eve of WW I. Russia and Austria wanted to control the Serbs and the area to have a warm port in the Mediterranean Sea. Russia and Austria were also on separate “teams” in their alliance systems. Austria was in the Central Powers and Russia was a member of the Triple Entente, also called the Allies. A fight between these two nations would force both “teams” to face off. In 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne, was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Serb nationalist. Princip wanted independence for Serbia, not control from a foreign power. Austria declared war against Serbia. Russia showed up to “defend” the Serbs, in reality they wanted control of the area. The alliance systems forced other nations to take sides and forced the most powerful nations of Europe to engage in war with each other. The Allies backed Russia and the Central Powers backed Austria. The world was now at war.

1. Why was the Balkan Peninsula such a disputed area? ______

2. Why did Gavrilo Princip assassinate Archduke Franz Ferdinand? ______

3. How did the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand help ignite World War I? ______

Copyright, USHistoryTeachers.com All Rights Reserved. Answers: 1. Why was the Balkan Peninsula such a disputed area? The Balkan Peninsula, east of Italy, became a disputed area on the eve of WW I. Russia and Austria wanted to control the Serbs and the area to have a warm port in the Mediterranean Sea.

2. Why did Gavrilo Princip assassinate Archduke Franz Ferdinand? Princip wanted independence for Serbia, not control from a foreign power. He killed Ferdinand to protest Austria’s influence in the area.

3. How did the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand help ignite World War I? In 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne, was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Serb nationalist. Princip wanted independence for Serbia, not control from a foreign power. Austria declared war against Serbia. Russia showed up to “defend” the Serbs, in reality they wanted control of the area. The alliance systems forced other nations to take sides and forced the most powerful nations of Europe to engage in war with each other. The Allies backed Russia and the Central Powers backed Austria. The world entered WW I as a result.