Today we are going to continue learning

about the causes of World War 1

...but what doesWile E. Coyote have to do with World War 1?

Let’s see if we can find out.

What was the single event that started World War

1?

Today’s Aim

We have already learned the main causes of World War 1• Militarism: The large European countries

began to build large armies--especially Germany.

• Alliances: a system of agreements between countries that would obligate one country to defend another (I’ve got you back!!).

• Imperialism: European countries were competing to build colonies throughout the world--especially in Africa and Asia.

• Nationalism: A strong love of country and willingness to sacrifice and even die for it.

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Those were the main causes...but what was the single event that

started the war?

The Single Event!

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The Alliances

5

In the middle... a group of countries

calledTHE

BALKANS

Bosnia, Hercegovina, Serbia and others

Both sides wanted to controlTHE BALKANS

If the Triple Entente controlled The Balkans,

they would be surrounded

Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy did not want to be surrounded

CentralPowers orTripleAlliance:

GermanyAustria-HungaryItaly

TripleEntente:

RussiaFranceBritain

That’s why The Balkans

were known as thePowder Keg of Europe

GunPowder

Keg

Any event could ignite the

POWDER KEG

ANY EVENT COULD

LEAD TOWAR! Gun

PowderKeg

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That event happened in JUNE 1914

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Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife,members of the Austria-Hungary royal family, were assassinated while visiting Bosnia in The Balkans.

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...and just like Wile E. Coyote touching

a match to his rocket...

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The Powder Keg Explodes

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Archduke Ferdinand and

his wife are assassinated in

The Balkans

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Within days...

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Austria-Hungary blames Serbia for the assassination and prepares to invade.Germany backs Austria-Hungary.Russia declares its support for SerbiaGermany declares war on Russia. Germany invades France through Belgium.Britain backs Belgium and declares war on

Germany.

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WORLD WAR 1 BEGINS

What was the single event that started World War

1?

Today’s Aim

The assassination ofArchduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife.

Summary

The Balkans✔ Both the Central Powers (sometimes called the Triple Alliance) and the Triple Entente wanted control.✔ Known as the “Powder Keg of Europe” because any event there could start a war.

The single event that started of World War 1✔ The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife in The Balkans