THE ASSASSINATION THAT SPARKED WORLD WAR I
READ ABOUT IT!
Welcome to the Assassination that Sparked World War I Virtual Center. The first thing your group needs to do is read about the assassination that sparked World War I. After you read, you need to work together to complete the Assassination Center Page in your Lesson Chronicles.
Franz Ferdinand
At age 51, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was heir to the Austro- Hungarian Empire. He was married and had three children. Franz Ferdinand was, however, very unpopular because he had made it clear that once he became Emperor he would make changes.
In 1908, Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Herzegovnia into the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The people of Bosnia and Herzegovnia were very unhappy about this. 
Franz Ferdinand decided to visit Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovnia, to make an inspection of the Austro-Hungarian troops there. The inspection was scheduled for 28th June 1914. It was planned that Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophia would be met at the station and taken by car to the City Hall where they would have lunch before going to inspect the troops.
The Black Hand Six of the Black Hand members that plotted to assassinate Ferdinand.
A Serbian terrorist group, called The Black Hand, had decided that the Archduke should be assassinated and the planned visit provided the ideal opportunity. Seven young men who had been trained in bomb throwing and marksmanship were stationed along the route that Franz Ferdinand's car would follow from the City Hall to the inspection.
The first two terrorists were unable to throw their grenades because the streets were too crowded and the car was travelling quite fast. The third terrorist threw a grenade which exploded under the car following that of the Archduke. Although the Archduke and his wife were unhurt, some of his attendants were injured and had to be taken to hospital.
War!
Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the assassination of Franz Ferdinand. Serbian leaders tried to work things out with Austria-Hungary. They did not want war, but nothing seemed to satisfy Austria-Hungary. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. They began bombing Serbia the next day.
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Important Vocabulary
alliance system: when several nations form alliances with several other nations
annexed: to add an area or region to a country, state, or city Archduke Franz Ferdinand: the heir to Austria-Hungary's throne whose assassination sparked World War I assassinated: to kill a famous or important person usually for political reasons Black Hand: the Serbian terrorist group that planned and carried out the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand democracy: the belief in freedom and equality between people; a form of government in which the people rule, either directly or through elected representatives domino effect: when one event sets into motion a chain of similar events where each event is triggered by the previous event front: battle zones or areas where armies faced each other and fought Gavrilo Princip: the member of the Serbian terrorist group, the Black Hand, who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand heir: the person who will become the king or queen of a place when the current king or queen dies mobilize: bringing together military forces to prepare for war neutral: a nation that does not participate in a war Schlieffen Plan: Germany's plan for fighting a two front war with Russia and France where Germany would invade France through Belgium in a surprise attack; beat them quickly; and move to the Russian front before the Russians could mobilize their army. The Great War: the name given to World War I before anyone knew there would be a World War II treaty: an agreement between two or more nations two front war: a region in which active warfare is taking place in two places at one time |
When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, it triggered the alliance system bringing country after country into the war. It was not long before the majority of the world's major powers had entered the Great War.
The Domino Effect
The alliance system created a domino effect. A domino effect is when one event sets into motion a chain of similar events where each event is triggered by the previous event. On July 30, 1914, after Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia mobilized their army so that they could help Serbia. Germany had an alliance with Austria-Hungary. They demanded Russia stop mobilizing against Austria-Hungary, but Russia refused. Germany knew that Russia and France had an alliance and that if they declared war on Russia, France would come to Russia's aid. When this happened, Germany knew it would be faced with a two front war. In other words, Germany would have to fight Russia on its east border and France on its west border. Germany was already prepared for this situation. They had created the Schlieffen Plan.
The Schlieffen Plan
Germany had been preparing for war long before 1914. In fact, Germany had started creating the Schlieffen Plan in 1897. Germany believed that France was weak and could be beaten quickly. They believed Russia was much stronger, but because the nation was so large would take longer to mobilize its army. So, the Schlieffen Plan was to invade France through Belgium in a surprise attack. They believed France was weak and would be beaten quickly. Then they could move their army to the Russian front. They believed that they could defeat France before the Russians could mobilize their army.
So, with the Schlieffen Plan in place, Germany declared war on Russia on August 1, 1914. Upon receiving the news, France announced that they would help defend Russia against Germany. So, on August 3, Germany declared war on France and on August 4, German troops crossed the Belgian border on their way to invade France.
So, with the Schlieffen Plan in place, Germany declared war on Russia on August 1, 1914. Upon receiving the news, France announced that they would help defend Russia against Germany. So, on August 3, Germany declared war on France and on August 4, German troops crossed the Belgian border on their way to invade France.
On the same day German troops entered Belgium, the British government declared war on Germany. First of all, Belgium was a neutral country and according to an international treaty, could not be attacked. So Great Britain declared war on Germany to protect Belgium. Great Britain also had a treaty with France. So they entered the war to help defend France. Great Britain was also worried about what would happen if they did not get involved. France and Belgium were the only real land masses between Germany and Great Britain. So Great Britain entered the war in an effort to keep the fighting off of their own soil and reduce the risk that they would be invaded by Germany.
America remained neutral in World War I until April 6, 1917. On this day the U.S. declared war on Germany.
Other nations entered the war on one side or the other. Some entered because alliances obligated them to do so. Others entered hoping that they chose the winning side so that they could gain more land. One by one countries fell into the Great War. The United States did not want any part of the war. The U.S. government made it clear to the warring nations that it would remain neutral, but America would eventually have to intervene to make the world safe for democracy.
ANALYZE IT!
The second thing we need to do is to analyze what you have learned. In this activity, you will create a newspaper article about the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand using an online program called fodey.com. To get started click on the icon below.
Newspaper Headlines
Produce a newspaper front page on the death of Franz Ferdinand. Your article should give a detailed account of the assassination and the reasons for this action being taken by the Black Hand. Take a screen shot of the article after you generate it. Name the picture your first and last name. You will airdrop these to me.
PROVE IT!
You just learned about alliances before World War I. You analyzed the relationships between the major nations and determined whether they were friends or enemies. Now you need to show off what you know. Complete the Center Check by clicking on the Center Check Icon below and answering the questions.
CENTER COMPLETE!
You have completed the Assassination that Led to World War I Center. Click on the button below to go back to the Lesson 1 - The Causes of World War I Home Page.