Alliances & Sarajevo Assassination – Readers Theater Script (Grades 11-12)

Students trace how alliances and nationalism turned a regional crisis into world war.

Focus: Students trace how alliances and nationalism turned a regional crisis into world war.

Summary:
From Moroccan Crises to the shots at Sarajevo, this 9‑page script lets learners debate brinkmanship, secret treaties and fatal miscalculations.

Script Summary:

• Kaiser Wilhelm II and Entente tensions over Morocco.
• Serbian nationalism and Franz Ferdinand’s visit.
• Assassination on Latin Bridge sparks ultimatum.
• Germany’s “blank check” versus Russian mobilization.
• Declarations cascade as Europe plunges into war.

What’s Included:

(a single PDF with links to Google Docs/Slides, if print format is preferred you can download from your Google Drive to word/pdf/ppt/etc)

• Readers Theater script (9 pages, 10 scenes, 14‑15 characters, editable Google Doc/PDF)
• Teacher Guide (10 pages) with scene summaries, primary‑source context, CCSS alignment, discussion questions
• Student Worksheet deck (25 Google Slides) covering vocabulary, short‑answer, analysis & extension tasks
• 20‑question self‑grading Google Forms quiz

Skills Addressed:

• Analyzing alliance telegrams & ultimatums
• Fluency via diplomatic role‑play
• Evaluating brinkmanship with textual evidence
• SAT vocab: militarism, ultimatum, brinkmanship

The worksheet deepens learning with:

• 10 text‑based comprehension questions
• 5 higher‑order analysis prompts
• 5 optional research extension questions (use of primary‑source links)