In light of recent events, history being made, I would like to ask a question; Can the shifting tides of leadership and politics change the course of an entire country? Could one incident change the course of the world? The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdnand on June 28, 1948 was wholly the event that caused the first world war to spiral into reality. Franz Joseph, the King and Emporor, had his and his country’s best interests in mind when he politely asked, then demanded for peace. This is the story of how the first World War began.
The initial outbursts of the first world war can be traced back to Austria-Hungary's own double-monarch, Franz or Francis Joseph. He reigned as both emperor and king respectfully of Austria and Hungary, united in the recent Austro-Hungarian compromise in 1867. While struggling to repay debts and regain lost favoritism from countries like Russia, he sought sanctuary in the support of The Dual Aliance pact with Germany in 1879.
Because Joseph was a man of pride, and after he sought partnership with Germany, Joseph underminded Russia by annexing Bosnia-Herzegovina. and upsetting many nationalist Serbs. After some troublesome uprisings Joseph’s power was put into question, and with the urgeings of Germany and rising Austria-Hungarian national pride, he sent his nephew to be his eyes in Sarajevo, Serbia.
The rest is history- Both Franz Ferdinand and his wife were shot by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist who was only 19 at the time. Franz Joseph was shocked outright when a Serbian renegade shot and killed his nephew, and his nephew's wife at point-blank range. He received the news and believed it was an attack from the Serbian government itself.
Not realising that Serbia was allied with the heavyweight Russia, Joseph gave Serbia an ultimatum; Apologies and the men responsible on trial, or war in 48 hours. Serbia refused, and was declared war upon by Austria-Hungary on July 28 1914.
This triggered several other declarations in rapid succession: Russia declaring war on Austria-Hungary, Germany declaring war on Russia, and Great Britain and France declaring war eventually on what became the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
Naturally, the man in question is the emperor-king himself, Franz Joseph. Now was he a stupid man? Not particularly A vain man? Some might say. But, looking at ourselves straight in the mirror, what's happening all around us in these modern times, there's some people who really don't know how to pick a fight.
