The archduke traveled to Sarajevo in June 1914 to inspect the imperial armed forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908. The annexation had angered Serbian nationalists, who believed the territories should be part of Serbia. A group of young nationalists hatched a plot to kill the archduke during his visit to Sarajevo, and after some missteps, 19-year-old Gavrilo Princip was able to shoot the royal couple at point-blank range, while they traveled in their official procession, killing both almost instantly. The assassination set off a rapid chain of events, as Austria-Hungary immediately blamed the Serbian government for the attack. As large and powerful Russia supported Serbia, Austria asked for assurances that Germany
Imagine four years of justing trying to capture the other teams trench, how dreadfully boring. World war one a great war of powers, invoked first by serbia’s overwhelming feeling to be their own people separate from Austria-hungary which thus lead to the assassination of the archduke Ferdinand of the Austrian-hungarian empire, which then lead to all the countries allied with Austria-hungary to support Austria in it’s attack on serbia, then all the countries allied with serbia to bring up arms on Austria, and Austria’s allies. This in terms of alliances had come upon through imperialism that lead to germany already against Austria in terms of expansion.
Bosnia had been part of Austria-Hungary since 1908 but it was claimed by neighboring Serbia. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the assassination and on July 28th declared war. What began as the third Balkan war turned into a European war in two years? On August 4th Germany invaded neutral Belgium on its way to France it intended to knock France out of the war before turning its attention to Russia. Britain had guanteed to defend Belgium’s neutral zone and it declared war on Germany. The Great War had begun” (WWI Book
On June 28, 1914, Franz Ferdinand and his wife were visiting Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, to inspect the army. At the same time, seven young Bosnian Serbs, part of a terrorist group known as the Black Hand, were putting their plan to assassinate Franz Ferdinand, into action. Franz Ferdinand and his wife were in the motorcade when one of the members threw a grenade at it. It missed and instead it it the car behind them. At this point, Franz Ferdinand decided to abandon the visit and return home via another route. However, no one informed the chauffeur and he ended up taking the wrong turn. He drove by Gavrilo Princip, one of the conspirators, who was at the time returning home thinking he had failed. When he saw the motorcade, he realized he still had a chance. Princip pulled out his revolver and shot at both Franz Ferdinand and his wife. They were dead within minutes. The Austrian government was looking for a reason to to send ultimatum to Serbia and they finally had a chance. Serbia refused to comply and Austria declared war. Europe's “long-smoldering feuds” had finally erupted into war.
Nationalism has been a potent force for change since the development of human civilization. However, opinion about the extent to which nationalism may be appropriately pursued is highly diverse, a factor that has led to immense tragedy and suffering in countless regions worldwide. While it is both appropriate and sometimes encouraged to take pride in being part of a nation, it is of the utmost importance that it is done without harming or subjugating people of another. Uniting a people by force and potentially eliminating or destroying those who may oppose it or not belong to it is unacceptable ethically, morally, and socially.
On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria visited the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo. A group of six assassins, supplied by a Bosnian based terrorist group the Black Hand, had gathered on the streets where the Archduke's motorcade would pass. Some attempted to kill the Archduke, including one who attempted to throw a grenade at the car but missed. Others failed to act as the car drove past them. Later on the route through the city, the motorcade took a wrong turn onto a previously designated street. Gavrilo Princip, a Black Hand assassin, stood waiting with a pistol. Princip shot and killed Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie. However, the assassination received almost disregard back in Austria. Yet, the death of the Archduke and his wife would be the beginning of an all out war in Europe as Austria-Hungary would declare war on Serbia. This declaration would bring in Germany on the side of Austria-Hungarian empire and Russia aiding the Serbians. By joining sides this would convey in France, Great Britain and during the later part of the war, Italy, Japan and the United States. Official war began on July 28, 1914.
On October 6, 1908, Austria annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina directly into the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The reasons were complex. Annexation would remove any hopes Turkey might have for reclaiming the provinces. Full inclusion into the empire would give Bosnians full rights and privileges. It may have been an act of will by the Austrians, just to show that they were still an active, sovereign power.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, however he wasn't popular due to his marriage with Sophie, a lower class woman. On June 28, 1914, he went on a peace mission to Sarajevo, but was killed by a man named Gavrilo Princip. First, his wife was shot and died on impact, and then he was shot in the jugular. The assassination of the Archduke and his wife didn't really affect the war. Some would say that war was going to happen whether they were dead or not. While others might state that the main reasons that caused World War 1 were militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism.
The final request Austria would make before they disclose the fact they are going to war with Serbia, is the ultimatum they gave to Serbia one month after the death of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, this is why they are responsible for the war. “The Austro-Hungarian government waited three weeks following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand - heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne currently held by Franz Josef - before issuing its formal response” (Duffy, Michael, Austria Ultimatum to Serbia, 23, July 23 1914). Austria waited before taking their chance when Archduke Franz Ferdinand died. After that they made their move Serbia, the ultimatum was impossible to agree to all the demands issued and thus they responded. “(Preamble)... [Serbia] cannot be held responsible for manifestations of a private character, such as articles in the press and the peaceable work of societies ... [The Serbian government] have been pained a...
In the July Crisis Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (the heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire) despite not having conclusive proof. Austria-Hungary asked for German support to "eliminate Serbia as a power factor in the Balkans". Germany agreed, offering her full support for Austria- Hungary to start a war with Serbia, and this became known as the "blank cheque". Austria-Hungary and Germany could not have failed to realise the possibility of Russian intervention and a European war, suggesting to me that war was their objective. Austria-Hungary issued an impossible ultimatum to Serbia, which was likely to provoke a war. Serbia was given only 48 hours to reply, so was forced to think quickly, or other countries would be mobilized and ready to attack. Serbia accepted all but one point of the ultimatum. Consequently war was announced. If given more time Serbia could have discussed the issue further in a conference. The British foreign minister, Grey suggested a conference, but this was rejected by Germany and Austria-Hungary, suggesting that they had deliberate aims for war during the Balkan Crisis, rather than the Balkan Crisis being mismanaged.
The first and probably most important cause of the war was the assassination of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand on June 28th, 1914. The Archduke and his wife, Sophie, were shot to death by Gavrilo Princip, the only successful member of a group of six assassins in doing so. The annexation of the imperial armed forces in Herzegovina and Bosnia by Austria-Hungary angered Serbian nationalists, ...
The ignition, or rather start of these events occurred on June 28th, 1914, when the Archduke of Austria – Hungary, Frances Ferdinand and his wife, were assassinated by a young Serbian militant, Gavrilo Princep. Austria – Hungary was ensured of support from the German government if the declared war against Yugoslavia, who had a defensive treaty with Russia. On July 25th, Austria – Hungary extended a ten point ultimatum to the Serbian government, along with a forty – eight hour deadline to enforce the ultimatum. July 28th marked the official declaration of war between Austria and Yugoslavia. The conflict was begun with the intentions of seizing a portion of Serbian territory and utilizing that as a leverage tool to gain their demands. The Russian military began its mobilization efforts to protect Yugoslavia. Trying to still maintain peace the Russians said they would not attack if peace talks would begin. The Germans then issued a twelve hour deadline for the demobilization of the Russian build up, and the Germans declared war on the Russians on August 1st, 1914.
In June 1914, Archduke Ferinard of Austria-Hungary and his wife Sophie were assassinated in the small state of Serbia. Throughout June and July of 1914 tensions in Europe rose. When Austria-Hungary threatened Serbia, Russia promised to help the small country. A chain of events then involved each of the major European powers in the worsening situation. On August 1st, the French army was mobilized, and on August 3rd, the German army invaded Belgium. This attack brought in the British, who had promised to defend Belgium. World War One had begun.
First of all, he was the heir to the throne, not the actual emperor. Therefore, he did not have much power to make any executive decisions. That means that any reasons that the Serbs had to be mad at Austria Hungary were not the Archduke’s fault. Secondly, Ferdinand was not an average royal. He married for love, not for power. In fact, his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, was believed by his family a much lower rank than he, and was rarely allowed to be seen with the Archduke (McVey 2). Additionally, their children were denied succession to the throne because of Sophie’s position (McVey 3). Considering these facts, Archduke Ferdinand’s last words of “Sophie dear, Sophie dear, don’t die. Stay alive for our children” shows that he was the opposite of an evil, self-adoring royal (Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. History 15). Lastly, Ferdinand wanted to unify the Habsburg Empire (Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. History 9). He knew that nationalism was important and tried to promote it. He did not care about the expansion of Austria Hungary. A quote from “A Tale of Two Cars” by David McVey about the Archduke says, “he had not been enthusiastic about the acquisition of Bosnia-Hercegovina and did not share the zeal of many of his officials to further subdue the Balkans”. Conrad von Hotzendorf, the military chief of Austria, had urged the Archduke to invade Serbia 25 times in 1913, but that Ferdinand was smart
After years of hostility and aggression between the European superpowers and large states, the balance of power began to be challenged. The Serbians in 1914 assassinated the Arch-duke, Franz Ferdinand, of Austria-Hungary. The country counteracted and “issued an ultimatum to Serbia, which would bring the assassins to justice. And with that action Serbia’s sovereignty was nullified” (Duffy Michael, 2009). Since Serbia did not succumb to the harsh demands of Austria-Hungary, “preventative” war was declared on Serbia on July 28,...
Following the assassination, Austria- Hungary was ready to declare war on Serbia, whom they believed was responsible for the death of Ferdinand. Without the support of Germany, Austria- Hungary probably would not have attacked ...