The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand :: assassination, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, war

After the following events, any the countries were ready for war, they expected it. Things were brewing from all 6 countries (Britain, Italy, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia). The two alliances- tercet Entente (Britain, France and Russia, formed in 1907) and the Triple Alliance (Austria-Hungary, Italy and Germany, formed in 1882)-just needed a spark to ignite the war. This spark that possibly became the roughly likely cause of the start of war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian thr maven. He was hated by the Bosnian people, because he made it clear that when he became emperor, things would change for his countries benefit and also because of the Balkan Crisis (when Austria Hungary gained control of Bosnia Herzegovina in 1908). Of course everyone was supernationalistic in those days. Everyone believed that their country was the best, the richest and the most powerful. They believed that they had the biggest empire and each p erson patriot to ones country. Obviously did not like being control by another country especially a country thats in the triple alliance. But many small countries did fear Austria-Hungary, because of one man who was powerful and rich. On 28th June 1914, Franz Ferdinand and his pregnant wife (Sophia)-were killed by a Serb nationalist, Gavrilo Princip, while on formal visit to Sarajevo (capital of Bosnia/Herzegovina). He and his wife were there to inspect the Austro-Hungarian troops. A Serbian terrorist group (named the Black Hand) had hear about the news of the Archdukes visit and had planned several attacks to wipeout his life. All seven young men of the group were specially apt in marksmanship and bomb throwing. Each was stationed along the route that the Archdukes machine would go. The first two terrorists were unable to throw there bombs because the street was to a fault crowded, and the car was traveling quite fast. The third terrorist threw a grenade which explod ed on the car after the Archdukes. Although the archduke and his wife were unhurt, some of his attendants were injured and had to be interpreted to hospital. The Archduke insisted on visiting them at the hospital. But on the way there, the driver took a wrong turn and had to reverse. Gavrilo decided to take this chance and blast two bullets through the window. The first hit the pregnant Sophia in the stomach, which she died nigh instantly.