the assassination of archduke franz ferdinand

The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Sarajevo, June 28th 1914

What you will learn

Who Franz Ferdinand wasWhy The Black Hand Society plotted to murder the ArchdukeThe events which took place on 28th June 1914Austria-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 nationalism

Russia saw herself as protector of the Slavs

1908: Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia

Reactions to the annexationBosnians 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 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 Serbia

Serbia 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.

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.