US History 1
Balkan Powderkeg
Assignment #16
Directions: Read the document which follows the questions, which is an overview of the
“Balkan powderkeg”. You can also directly link to the original Powerpoint at:
http://mrbinet.pbworks.com/f/The%20Balkan%20Powder%20Keg.ppt
Do all the work below on a separate sheet of paper, and be sure to use COMPLETE
SENTENCES in your definitions and answers if you wish to receive full credit for your work.
Grading Rubric for Short-Answer Questions
Default Grade
0
Clear, identifiable, and plausible answer to question
F
Uses appropriate and specific evidence/examples
Explains and analyzes the evidence/examples
Appropriate length of response (short paragraph),
vocabulary, grammar & spelling
Historically accurate answer
+1 letter grade
+1 letter grade
+1 letter grade
+1 letter grade
Answer each of the following questions.
1. Define: nationalism, powderkeg
2. Why was Turkey’s increasing weakness a serious problem for those interested in
maintaining peace in the Balkans?
3. How did Austria’s conquest of parts of the Balkans actually end up becoming a
problem for Austria? Explain.
4. Even by itself (not including any outside nations), why were the Balkans a powderkeg?
(Bonus) Between Turkey, Russia, Italy, Austria, and Germany, which of the five nations
would you say had the weakest desire to take over the Balkans, and why?
The Balkan Powderkeg
The Balkan Problem
 Turkey (Ottoman Empire) ruled most of the Balkans at the start of this century.
 This part of Europe was called “the sick man of Europe” because it was so
weak.
 All the major surrounding power wanted to increase their influence in the area
were looking for an opportunity to take the Balkans.
Why did they want it?
 Russia - ports on the
Mediterranean.
 Austria-Hungary – ports on the
Mediterranean and crush the
rebellious Slavs.
 Germany – A Berlin to Baghdad
Railway
 Italy – Land on the other side of
Adriatic.
The chance they were looking for
 In 1908, a group called the “young Turks” caused chaos everywhere in Turkey.
 Austria- Hungary takes advantage. They seized the provinces of Bosnia and
Herzegovina.
 Most of the people were Serbs and did not want to be a part of Austria-Hungary.
They wanted to be part of Serbia. Now Serbia was an enemy of Austria Hungary.
The Balkan Wars
 Italy attacked Turkey in 1911, beating them easily. Turkey was now very week.
 The other Balkan countries (Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Montenegro) joined
together in 1912 to form the “Balkan League”.
 The Balkan League attacked Turkey and won. They were given all the land that
Turkey owned in the Balkans.
The Second Balkan War
 King Ferdinand (Bulgaria) wanted more land.
 1913 Ferdinand attacks Serbia and Greece. This was a disaster for Bulgaria.
They ended up being attacked from 4 sides. (they lost)
 Serbia came out the best after both Balkan wars.
Set to Explode
 After all of this the Austrian Serbs gained an even stronger desire to join Serbia.
 The Balkans were now seething with hatred, resentment and unrest.