Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
1914-06-28Sarajevo, Bosniahigh importance
The assassination of Austria-Hungary's heir sparked a chain reaction of alliances that started World War I.
On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife Sophie were assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia, by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia and issued an ultimatum. When Serbia's response was deemed insufficient, Austria-Hungary declared war. Due to the alliance system, Russia mobilized to support Serbia, Germany backed Austria-Hungary, and France and Britain were drawn in. Within weeks, most of Europe was at war.
Key Takeaways
1
The immediate trigger for World War I
2
Demonstrated how the alliance system could turn a regional conflict into a world war
3
Gavrilo Princip was a 19-year-old nationalist