The document below is an excerpt from the constitution from the organization called Unification or Death and also known as the Black Hand, which was a Serbian nationalist group that existed in the early 20th century. Article 1. For the purpose of realising the national ideals - the Unification of Serbdom - an organization is hereby created, whose members may be any Serbian irrespective of sex, religion, place of birth, as well as anybody else who will sincerely serve this idea. Article 2. The organisation gives priority to the revolutionary struggle rather than relies on cultural striving, therefore its institution is an absolutely secret one for wider circles. Article 4. In order to carry into effect its task the organization will do the following things: (1) Following the character of its raison d'être [reason for existing] it will exercise its influence over all the official factors in Serbia... (2) It will carry out a revolutionary organisation in all the territories where Serbians are living: (3) Beyond the frontiers, it will fight with all means against all enemies of this idea: (4) It will maintain friendly relations with all the States, nations, organisations, and individual persons who sympathise with Serbia and the Serbian race: (5) It will give every assistance to those nations and organisations who are fighting for their own national liberation and unification. Article 34. The Organisation's official seal is thus composed: In the centre of the seal there is a powerful arm holding in its hand an unfurled flag on which - as a coat of arms - there is a skull with crossed bones; by the side of the flag, a knife, a bomb and a phial [vial] of poison. Around, in a circle, there is the following inscription, reading from left to right: "Unification or Death", and in the base: "The Supreme Central Directorate". Article 35. On entering into the organisation the joining member must pronounce the following oath of allegiance: "I (the Christian name and surname of the joining member), by entering into the organisation "Unification or Death", do hereby swear by the Sun which shineth upon me, by the Earth which feedeth me, by God, by the blood of my forefathers, by my honour and by my life, that from this moment onward and until my death, I shall faithfully serve the task of this organisation and that I shall at all times be prepared to bear for it any sacrifice. I further swear by God, by my honour and by my life, that I shall unconditionally carry into effect all its orders and commands. I further swear by my God, by my honour and by my life, that I shall keep within myself all the secrets of this organisation and carry them with me into my grave. May God and my comrades in this organisation be my judges if at any time I should wittingly fail or break this oath!" Done at Belgrade this 9th day of May, 1911 A.D. Source: Constitution of Unification or Death, 1911.
Answer the questions below based on information you can gather from the source above, and your knowledge of social studies. Who (generally are the people affected by what is described): What (is happening in the source/is the intent of the actions): Where (is this happening): When (is this happening/historical context): Why (would unification help Serbia): Possible Enduring Issues:
1. Who (generally are the people affected by what is described): The members of the organization called Unification or Death, Serbian nationalists, and individuals sympathetic to the Serbian cause are affected by the actions described in the document.
2. What (is happening in the source/is the intent of the actions): The intent of the organization is to realize the national ideals of unifying Serbdom through revolutionary struggle and maintaining friendly relations with those who support Serbia and the Serbian race. The organization is dedicated to fighting for Serbian national liberation and unification.
3. Where (is this happening): The organization operates primarily in Serbia but also extends its revolutionary activities to territories where Serbians are living and beyond the frontiers.
4. When (is this happening/historical context): This document was created on May 9, 1911, during a period of heightened nationalist sentiments and tensions in the Balkans leading up to World War I. Serbia was seeking to unify Serbdom and assert its independence from the Ottoman Empire.
5. Why (would unification help Serbia): Unifying Serbdom would bolster Serbia's national identity and strength, potentially leading to greater political power and independence. By uniting Serbians living in various territories, Serbia could strengthen its position and influence in the region.
6. Possible Enduring Issues: Nationalism, independence, revolution, conflict, power, identity.