The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the Prelude to World War I

Context and Background

• Date: June 28, 1914
• Location: Sarajevo
• Key Figures:
  • Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary
  • Serbian nationalist Nadelko Chabrinovich
  • Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb
• Political Landscape in 1914 Europe:
  • Dominated by three major powers: German Empire, Russian Empire, Austro-Hungarian Empire
  • Tensions between Austro-Hungary and Serbia, especially after Austro-Hungary occupied Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1908

Causes of Tension

• Serbia's Grievances:
  • Bosnia-Herzegovina, with a significant Serb population, desired by Serbian nationalists
  • Establishment of anti-Austro-Hungary government in Serbia in 1903
• Rise of Nationalist Militancy:
  • Formation of militant organizations aiming to achieve territorial objectives
  • Franz Ferdinand's political plan threatened Serbian nationalists' goals for a larger Serbia

The Black Hand and the Plot

• Formation: May 1911
• Objective: Break southern provinces from Austro-Hungarian Empire, create an ethnically united kingdom of Serbia
• Gavrilo Princip's Role:
  • Radicalized Bosnian Serb inspired by nationalist ideas
  • Collaborated with other radicals and young Bosnians
• Attempts on Officials' Lives: Preceding assassination attempts, such as Bogdan Zaraich's in 1910

The Assassination Attempt

• Weapons and Strategy:
  • Armed with bombs, pistols, and cyanide pills
  • Seven young Bosnians, including Princip, positioned along the route
• Execution of the Plan:
  • Chabrinovich threw a bomb that failed to hit the target
  • Princip encountered the Archduke by chance and successfully shot him and his wife at point-blank range

Aftermath and Consequences

• Implicated Individuals: 25 people involved
• Diplomatic Breakdown:
  • Austro-Hungary's demands partially accepted by Serbia
  • Serbia mobilized with Russian support
  • Austro-Hungary backed by Germany, leading to war declaration on July 28, 1914
• Outset of World War I:
  • Chain reaction of alliances and hostilities across Europe
  • Described as Europe "sleepwalking" into war