The Importance of the Balkan Peninsula
Short text with text dependent questions
Standards Alignment
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Text Dependent Questions
Standards Alignment
California State Standards for Grade 10
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10.5 Students analyze the causes and course of the First World War.
– Analyze the arguments for entering into war presented by leaders from all sides of the Great
War and the role of political and economic rivalries, ethnic and ideological conflicts, domestic
discontent and disorder, and propaganda and nationalism in mobilizing the civilian population in
support of “total war.”
Common Core Reading Standards for Literacy in History/Social Science for Grades 9 & 10 Students:
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RH 1 - Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, attending
to such features as the date and origin of the information.
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RH 3 - Analyze in detail a series of events described in a text; determine whether earlier events caused
later ones or simply preceded them.
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RH 4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary
describing political, social, or economic aspects of history/social studies.
Common Core Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Science for Grades 9 & 10 Students:
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WHST 2 - Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific
procedures/ experiments, or technical processes.
– b. Develop the topic with well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient facts, extended definitions,
concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s
knowledge of the topic.
– d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to manage the complexity of the topic
and convey a style appropriate to the discipline and context as well as to the expertise of likely
readers.
The Importance of the Balkan Peninsula
Delicate Alliance System
All that was needed was a small dispute to start the war between the Triple Alliance and the Triple
Entente. This dispute was most likely to occur in the Balkan Peninsula. The Balkan Peninsula had a long
history of uprisings and ethnic fighting. It was known as the “Powder Keg of Europe” because it could ignite
into war at any moment.
New Countries Formed
The Ottoman Empire once ruled the Balkan region. Many ethnic groups created new nations.
Among the new nations in the Balkans were: Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania
Serbia and its Slavic Population
Serbia had a large Slavic population. Serbia wanted to unite with all other Slavic regions in the
Balkan Peninsula. One area that Serbia wanted to unite with was Bosnia since Bosnia had a large Slavic
population. Russia was also a predominately Slavic country. Consequently, Russia created a military alliance
with Serbia. If Austria-Hungary goes to war with Serbia, Russia vowed to back them up militarily
Austria-Hungary Annexes Bosnia
However, in 1908 Bosnia was annexed by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Serbians who wanted to
unite all Slavs on the Balkan Peninsula were outraged. Tension between Serbia and Austro-Hungary rose.
The Importance of the Balkan Peninsula
Delicate Alliance System
What was needed to start the war between the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente?
Where was this dispute most likely to occur?
What did the Balkan Peninsula have a long history of?
Why was the Balkan Peninsula known as the “powder keg of Europe?
New Countries Formed
What empire once ruled the Balkan region?
What did many ethnic groups create in the Balkans?
List 4 new nations in the Balkans.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Serbia and its Slavic Population
What large population did Serbia have?
Who did Serbia want to unite with in the Balkan Peninsula?
One area Serbia wanted to unite with was who?
What large population did Bosnia have?
What other country was also a predominantly Slavic nation?
Who did Russia create a military alliance with?
If Austria-Hungary goes to war with Serbia, what did Russia vow to do?
Austria-Hungary Annexes Serbia
Who did Austria-Hungary annex in 1908?
How did Serbians who wanted to unite all Slavs react to this?
What rose between Serbia and Austria-Hungary?