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The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. A Short History of the Balkans. The Balkans are a group of countries located on a peninsula in South East Europe This entire region was once controlled by the Ottoman Empire (Turkey)
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A Short History of the Balkans • The Balkans are a group of countries located on a peninsula in South East Europe • This entire region was once controlled by the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) • However, during the 19th century, many Balkan nations gained their independence after revolting against the Ottomans
The Role of Austria & Russia • Austria/Hungary conquered Bosnia and other small Balkan states • Serbia, was angered by this because Austria was a threat to them and ethnic Serbians who lived in Bosnia were now stuck in Austria (nationalism) • Serbia had a very powerful friend in Russia because Russian felt it was their duty to protect all Slavic people (Pan-Slavism, a specific form of Nationalism) • Bad relations soon developed between Russia and Austria as both believed the Balkans should be controlled by them.
June 28, 1914 • Archduke Franz Ferdinand (the first son of the King of Austria) and his wife Sofie travelled to Sarajevo in Bosnia to inspect Austrian Troops. • He was greeted by thousands of supporters who lined the streets to wave at him as he passed through. • However, their was a small group of young men who would use this opportunity to make a political statement
The Black Hand • Small terrorist organization from Bosnia • Made up of young ethnic Serbians • Ultimate goal was to force Austria/Hungary out of Bosnia and have Bosnia become part of Serbia
The Bomb • As the Archduke’s motorcade travelled through the streets of Sarajevo, NedjelkoCabrinovic, a member of the Black hand, threw a bomb at Ferdinand’s car • The bomb missed and a car following the Archduke • Cabrinovic took poison and jumped in the river, but was fished out and arrested
“The shot heard around the World” • Angered by the bomb, the Archduke decided to cut shot his tour of the city. • Instead of turning on the planned street, it was decided the cars should stay on the Appel Quay and travel straight out of the city • No one told the driver. • When the driver turned, he was told to back up and get back on the Apple Quay • The driver slammed on the brakes and put the car in reverse. • At this exact moment, GavrilloPrincipran out of the crowd and fired twoshots at the car • He was less than 5 feet away • Franz Ferdinand was shot in the neck and Princess Sophie took a bullet in the stomach, both were dead before they got to the hospital • Principtried to shoot himself but people grabbed his arms and he was soon arrested
The Link to Serbia • During the investigation, it was discovered that the Black hand were not just a small group of young men. • Rather, they had been funded and organized by DragutinDimitrijevic, a Serbian General • Austria/Hungary turned to Serbia for answers
The Demands • Austria/Hungary, fearful of Russia, turned to Germany for support. • Germany offered a “Blank Cheque” • Austria then demanded several things from Serbia • Serbia accepted all the demands except one, they would not allow the Austrians to conduct their of investigation inside Serbia itself • Austria declared war on Serbia
Russian Mobilization • As soon as Austria/Hungary declared war, Russia mobilized its army along its entire western border • Germany requested that the Russians back off, but were denied • Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany sent several telegrams to his cousin, Tsar Nicholas of Russia, begging him to pull back • However, the battle plans that were made years before were unfolding and both leaders felt powerless to stop them. • A war was starting and no one knew how to stop it. The only question was who would fire the first shot.
Key Points • Franz Ferdinand was murdered by GavrilloPrincip • Princip was part of the Black Hand, a Serbian terrorist group • Austria/Hungary declared war on Serbia after getting total support from Germany • Russia moved its Army up towards Austria/Hungary and Germany and refused to pull back • The war might have been avoided if all the countries of Europe had not carefully planned for it for decades.
