Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand

Answer 1

Prior to the First World War, Serbia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Because nationalism was a growing force in Europe, this foreign domination was greatly resented. On June 28th, 1914, a nationalist organization called the Black Hand assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand in an attempt to assert demands for Serbian independence. Though it is widely speculated that the Serbian government had no involvement in the assassination, Austria-Hungary responded swiftly. At Germany's insistence, it declared war on Serbia in an effort to crush the nationalist movement. Though the assassination of Ferdinand was a seemingly miniscule event, it escalated into a global conflict because the major European powers established pre-war alliances in an attempt to avoid war. Britain, France and Russia established the Triple Entente while Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary formed the Triple Alliance. Such alliances were necessary because each nation had to defend its interests. Britain, for instance, was the undisputed ruler of the seas and feared the expansion of the German navy. France, meanwhile, wanted revenge on Germany for the outcome of the Franco-Prussian war of 1871; France suffered a humiliating defeat in this conflict and lost the provinces of Alsace-Lorraine. Though these alliances were meant to prevent war, they wound up having the opposite effect. When Austria-Hungary went to war with Serbia, Russia came to defend the Serbs; the Russians and Serbs were naturally aligned because they were both of Slav descent. Because Germany instucted Austria-Hungary to be firm with Serbia following the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, it felt obligated to join the conflict and promptly waged war on Russia. Britain and France had already established an alliance with Russia and had no choice but to wage war on Germany. Within a month of June 28th, 1914, all of the major European powers were at war. It is worth noting that Italy held out until 1915 when it joined the side of the allies.

The origin of World War I and II are similar because both conflicts were preceeded by pacifistic intentions. Prior to the First World War, the nations of Europe chose alliances as a method of avoiding conflict. Prior to the Second World War, the method of choice was appeasement. This was a policy exercised by British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain; it enabled Germany to receive political and territorial concessions in exchance for its promise to maintain peace. In short, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was essentially insignificant. It was an incident that simply happened to take place during a tumultuous time characterized by tension and discontent throughout Europe. The eventual involvement of all the European powers in the initial conflict between Serbia and Austria-Hungary can be summed up in two words: domino effect.

Answer 2

Archduke Ferdinand assassinated June 28, 1914 - (igniting World War I)

Franz Ferdinand was assassinated because a nationalistic group called the Black Hand Society did not want him to rule over Bosnia. Ferdinand took a tour of the newly acquired territory and his vehicle went by about 7 "stations" where an assassination attempt would be executed. It was only by a stroke of luck (and a wrong turn by his driver) that Ferdinand was shot and killed by a 19-year-old lad by the name of Gavrilo Princip.

He was killed because Serbia was a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and many Serbians were unhappy about it, including the one who carried out the assassination. It may have been expected that the assassination would cause Austria-Hungary to mount a reprisal against Serbia, whereupon Russia would come to Serbia's defense. In any case, that is what eventually happened.

Answer 3

World War I Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian empire was assassinated along with his morganatic wife; Sophie on August 12, 1914 in the Serbian capital of Sarajevo by Gavril Princip. This single act by an unknown Serbian nationalist provoked Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany which maintained familial and diplomatic relations with the Hapsburgs of Austria, to mobilize troops with orders in readiness to attack Serbia. Meanwhile Russian Emperor, Nicholas II, ordered his troops to mobilize should Germany make good on their ultimatum and attack Serbia. Russia historically defended the lower slavic nations. Gavril Princip, a 19 year old student, Wilhelm II and Nicholas II (who were also cousins) are regarded as the principal characters who set the course for what was to become the Great War, World War I. World War I brought about the collapse of three dynasties, The Hohenzollern, Romanov and Hapsburg and very nearly toppled the English throne. It also witnessed the most casualties of any war to date and was the first war fought using modern warfare.

Answer 4

The Black Hand was a Serb terrorist group that plotted Franz Ferdinand's assassination because it viewed the Austrians as foreign oppressors. The date chosen for the archduke's visit was a special date in Serbia's history.

Answer 5

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo 28 June 1914 ; his death precipitated WW1 .

Answer 6

World War One and in turn through Germany into a depression which gave Adolf Hitler a reason to invade Europe for money and power so it also kind of caused World War Two

Answer 7

World War One.