The Powder Keg of Europe Before WWI

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The Powder Keg of Europe Before WWI The Balkans, for most of its history, has been attacked and colonized by outside forces. Alexander the Great of Macedonia took control of the region in 335 B.C, followed by the Roman’s in the 3rd century A.D. The last colonizing force was the Ottoman Empire from the 15th to the 19th century A.D. Despite all the invaders who have conquered the region, the area has still managed to obtain their own separate languages and identity. When the Ottoman Empire lost control of the Balkan region in the late 1800s after being defeated in battle by Russia, the Balkan region decided this was the opportunity to fight for independence. In 1908 Austria-Hungary infuriated many Balkan states by claiming Bosnia for themselves. Between 1912 and 1913 the Balkan league successfully claimed territory in battle from the Ottomans to unite the Balkan region. Bosnia however was still not part of the united Balkans, and this incited neighboring Serbia’s nationalism. Nationalist Serbia was part of the Pan- Slavic Movement, which contributed to the tension in the region. The goal of the movement was to unite the southern European Slavs into one Slavic nation. The Pan-Slavic Movement was heavily supported by Russia, who felt a strong connection to the Slavs of south eastern Europe due to their shared culture. Additionally, Serbia was now surrounded by Austria- Hungary and therefore vulnerable to invasion. When Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, announced a tour was to be commenced on the 28th of June in Sarajevo, Bosnia’s largest city, an opportunity presented itself for a nationalist Slavic group. The Black Hand, a group of young Serbian terrorists, thought that this would be the perfect time to make their feelings known about the Austro-Hungarian claim in Bosnia, and the increasing threat of Austro-Hungarian intimidation to Serbia. Answer the following questions. 1. What is a powder keg? 2. What is the symbolism of the Balkans being a powder keg? 3. Summarize the text. 4. What happened when the Ottoman Empire lost control of the Balkans? 5. What was the Pan-Slavic Movement 6. Select a quote and explain its importance or why its interesting. 7. Explain how this info adds to your understanding of WWI. .

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