The Assassination That Triggered a World War: Dive Deeper with Reading Comprehension!

Unravel the tangled web of events leading to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and its pivotal role in igniting World War I with this engaging reading comprehension activity!
Explore the Context:

• Nationalistic Tensions: Understand how rising nationalism, particularly in the Balkans, fueled desires for self-determination and territorial disputes that threatened the stability of empires like Austria-Hungary.
• The Black Hand: Discover the motives and actions of this Serbian nationalist organization that orchestrated the assassination plot.
• Austria-Hungary's Ultimatum: Analyze the harsh demands placed on Serbia following the assassination and their role in escalating tensions.
• Dive deeper with a primary source: Analyze an excerpt from a telegram sent by the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister to Serbia, revealing their perspective on the assassination and its desired consequences.

Strengthen Critical Thinking Skills:

• Multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer questions
• A comprehensive answer key for easy assessment
• Alignment with Common Core State Standards

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the complex web of factors that contributed to the outbreak of World War I, recognizing the assassination as a trigger rather than the sole cause.
• Evaluate the role of nationalism, alliances, and unresolved territorial disputes in shaping the pre-war climate.
• Understand the immediate and long-term consequences of the assassination, including the domino effect that drew major European powers into conflict.

Common Core State Standards Addressed:

• RI.6.1, RI.7.1, RI.8.1, RI.9-10.1, RI.11-12.1: Close reading and analysis of informational text.

• RI.6.2, RI.7.2, RI.8.2, RI.9-10.2, RI.11-12.2: Determine central ideas and supporting details.

• RI.6.3, RI.7.3, RI.8.3, RI.9-10.3, RI.11-12.3: Analyze how and why events unfold.

• W.6.2, W.7.2, W.8.2, W.9-10.2, W.11-12.2: Write informative/explanatory texts clearly and accurately.

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