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

Key Events Leading to the Assassination

Date: June 28, 1914
Assassin: Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist
Target: Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary
Motivation: Serbian nationalist resentment against Austro-Hungarian rule
Failed Initial Attempt: Nadelko Chabrinovich threw a bomb which rolled off the car injuring others but not the Archduke.

Major Empires in 1914 Europe: German Empire, Russian Empire, Austro-Hungarian Empire
Serbia vs. Austro-Hungary: Strained relations due to Austro-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which had a significant Serbian population.
Serbian Nationalism: Growth in nationalist sentiments and the desire for a larger Serbian nation.

The Black Hand: A secret revolutionary organization aiming to create a united Serbian state.
Young Bosnia Group: Anti-Austro-Hungarian group consisting of young Bosnian Serbs.

Radicalization: Princip was radicalized in Belgrade and joined other nationalists.
Failed Assassination Attempts: Other prior failed nationalist attempts on Austro-Hungarian officials.
Assassination Plan: Equipped with bombs, pistols, and cyanide; executed the assassination on June 28, 1914.

Plan Execution: Initial failures by other conspirators; bomb thrown by Chabrinovich failed.
Unexpected Opportunity: Princip shot the Archduke and his wife by chance when their car stopped in front of him.

Immediate Arrests: Conspirators were arrested; some were executed or died in prison.
Political Fallout: Breakdown of diplomacy between Serbia and Austro-Hungary.
Alliances Formed: Austro-Hungary and Germany (Blank Check); Serbia supported by Russia.
Outbreak of World War I: Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia; European powers were drawn into the conflict due to alliances.
Historical Impact: Gavrilo Princip inadvertently triggered a chain of events leading to World War I.