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Germany’s Problem: 2 Fronts. Germany’s Plan. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Sarajevo, June 28 th 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 28 th June 1914.
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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 (think Serbian?) nationalism Russia saw herself as protector of the Slav (Serbian) people. 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 Slavic state with Serbia Serbians concerned about Austria-Hungary’s aggression
The Black Hand Society Fierce Serbian (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
28th June 1914 Saw opportunity to assassinate the future Emperor of Austria-Hungary
The Austrian Ultimatum Austria-Hungary was furious and accused the Serbian government of planning the assassination Austria-Hungary sent an 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, some 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 • 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, they agreed to protect their “neutrality”. • 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.
Recipe for war Naval Race The Alliance System Tensions in the Balkans Assassination at Sarajevo Kaiser Wilhelm II