What was the short-term trigger of World War I?
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria fell for Countess Sophie von
Chotek.
Emperor Franz Josef forbad
28th June 1900 they elope
Franz Josef said they could not be seen together in public
As Field Marshal of army could be seen with her, so became more active
in the Army
The Countries Background
1914 Austria had a large empire (15 languages spoken within empire)
but it was failing
Feared Nationalism
One group causing problems; the Serbians in the Balkans even had a
national Independence Day 28th June
They had set up a group called ‘Union or death’ nicknamed the ‘Black
Hand’ like the IRA because they used to wear a black leather glove on
their left hands
Wanted to unify all s=Serbs in the Au province of Austria
Between 1913 -1914 Au army leader recommended war with Union or
Death 25 times
Summer of 1914, 70 000 troops sent to scare.
28th June 1914
Sunny day, Sophie and Franz visiting Sarajevo to see troops.
Clothes – Sophie in wedding dress, Franz in military uniform
Au spies had reported that were attempts to take Franz’s life. PM of
Serbia also told Franz of trouble but ignored!
Only 120 policemen on guard on the day, too excited watched
procession instead of guard Franz!
Procession due to go along the central street in Sarajevo ‘Appel Quay’
nicknamed the ‘Avenue of Assassins’
As they went along shouts of ‘Long may he live’
1st Black Hand man - At 10:10 am drew near Cumuria Bridge Nedelijko
Cabrinovic asked Policeman which one was Franz. Let off grenade.
Grenade bounced off boot of Franz car and blew up car behind.
Swallowed poisoned but did not work.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria fell for Countess Sophie von
Chotek.
Emperor Franz Josef forbad
28th June 1900 they elope
Franz Josef said they could not be seen together in public
As Field Marshal of army could be seen with her, so became more active
in the Army
The Countries Background
1914 Austria had a large empire (15 languages spoken within empire)
but it was failing
Feared Nationalism
One group causing problems; the Serbians in the Balkans even had a
national Independence Day 28th June
They had set up a group called ‘Union or death’ nicknamed the ‘Black
Hand’ like the IRA because they used to wear a black leather glove on
their left hands
Wanted to unify all s=Serbs in the Au province of Austria
Between 1913 -1914 Au army leader recommended war with Union or
Death 25 times
Summer of 1914, 70 000 troops sent to scare.
28th June 1914
Sunny day, Sophie and Franz visiting Sarajevo to see troops.
Clothes – Sophie in wedding dress, Franz in military uniform
Au spies had reported that were attempts to take Franz’s life. PM of
Serbia also told Franz of trouble but ignored!
Only 120 policemen on guard on the day, too excited watched
procession instead of guard Franz!
Procession due to go along the central street in Sarajevo ‘Appel Quay’
nicknamed the ‘Avenue of Assassins’
As they went along shouts of ‘Long may he live’
1st Black Hand man - At 10:10 am drew near Cumuria Bridge Nedelijko
Cabrinovic asked Policeman which one was Franz. Let off grenade.
Grenade bounced off boot of Franz car and blew up car behind.
Swallowed poisoned but did not work.
