the assassination of archduke franz ferdinand sarajevo, june 28 th 1914

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Sarajevo, June 28th 1914

What you will learn

Who Franz Ferdinand was

Why The Black Hand Society plotted to murder the Archduke

The events which took place on 28th June 1914

Austria-Hungary’s reaction to the Assassination

Archduke Franz Ferdinand fact file

Heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne

Visited Sarajevo in 1914 in an attempt to improve relations between the monarchy and the Bosnian people

Unpopular due to his marriage to Sophie who was considered to be of lower class

Tensions in the Balkans

Russia & Austria-Hungary wanted to control the Balkans

Both wanted access to the Mediterranean Sea

Austria-Hungary wanted to stamp out growing Slav nationalismRussia saw herself as protector of the Slavs

1908: Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia

Reactions to the annexation

Bosnians angry: wanted freedom from Austria-Hungary to form a strong Slav state with Serbia

Serbians concerned about Austria-Hungary’s aggression

The Black Hand Society

Fierce Slav nationalists: hated Austria and prepared to kill for freedom

Secret society with links to the Serbian government and army

Goal: creation of a Greater Serbia

"...before God, on my honour and my life, that I will execute all missions and commands without question. I swear before God, on my honor and on my life, that I will take all the secrets of this organization into my grave with me."

Saw opportunity to assassinate the future Emperor of Austria-Hungary

28th June 1914

The Assassination

Gavrilo Princip is arrested

The Austrian UltimatumThe Austrian Ultimatum

Austria-Hungary sent a 10-point ultimatum to Serbia

Austria-Hungary was furious and accused the Serbian government of planning the assassination

“Ultimatum”: a warning stating that unless someone meets your conditions you will take action against them

July 5th – Austria are assured by Germany of support against Serbia

July 23rd- Ultimatum Sent to Serbia, Two demands are rejected

July 29th- Austria declares war on SerbiaSerbia appeal to Russia for help

July 30th- Russia mobilises her army, Germany mobilises her army for war against Russia.

Aug 1st- Germany declares war on Russia,

France mobilises her army.

Britain enters the WarBritain enters the War

Germany had already planned to invade France through Belgium and Holland.

Britain had always been sensitive about Belgium as it was a small country with seaports very close to Britain.

British policy was that no major naval power should be able to control Belgium

The Kaiser did not believe Britain would enter the war over Belgium.

Aug 3rd – Germany declares war on France

August 4th – Germany invades Belgium, Britain declares war on Germany

The whole of Europe is plunged into war.

Militarism: The Naval Race

The Alliance System

Nationalism: Self-Determination in the Balkans

Imperialism: Annexing of Bosnia

Assassination at Sarajevo

Recipe for war: MANIA