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
Unpopular due to his marriage to Sophie
who was considered to be of lower class
Visited Sarajevo in 1914 in an
attempt to improve relations
between the monarchy and
the Bosnian people
Tensions in the Balkans
Russia & Austria-Hungary
wanted to control the Balkans
Austria-Hungary wanted
to stamp out growing Slav
nationalism
Russia saw herself as
protector of the Slavs
Both wanted access to
the Mediterranean Sea
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 AustriaHungary’s aggression
The Black Hand Society
Fierce Slav nationalists: hated Austria
and prepared to kill for freedom
Goal: creation of a Greater Serbia
Secret society with links to the
Serbian government and army
"...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."
28th June 1914
Saw opportunity to
assassinate the future
Emperor of Austria-Hungary
The Assassination
Gavrilo Princip is arrested
The Austrian Ultimatum
Austria-Hungary was furious and
accused the Serbian government
of planning the assassination
Austria-Hungary sent a 10point ultimatum to Serbia
“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.
Britain enters the War
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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.
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Aug 3rd –
August 4th –
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The whole of Europe is plunged into war.
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Germany declares war on France
Germany invades Belgium,
Britain declares war on Germany
Recipe for war
Naval Race
Assassination at
Sarajevo
The Alliance System
Kaiser Wilhelm II
Tensions in the
Balkans