How The Assassination of One Wrong Person Started World War 1

We all know that World War 1 was one of the greatest catastrophes in the history of the world. It started in 1914 and continued for more than 4 years. Eventually, it ended in  1918. The actual time & date is: 11.00 am & 11.11.18. It caused devastating loss of millions of lives. Almost 18 million people died and 23 million were severely injured during the great war. 32 countries took participation in this war.

Why WAR?

It was the beginning of the 20th century. It was the dawn of the modern civilization. Men had already climbed unimaginable heights in that time. Everything was going well for the world. So now the question is, "WHY WAR?". According to some historians, the war was inevitable. During that period of time, there were large Empires. So these empires wanted to grow their land. So what really made these empires clash against each other?

   Assassination Of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the royal prince of Hungary. He was the heir to the throne of Austro-Hungarian Empire. The assassination was planned by a secret society called the Black Hand. The assassination took place in Sarajevo. Franz Ferdinand was visiting the city at that time. The group of assassins consisted of 6 members. The tried to assassinate the Archduke by bombing the vehicle in which he was strolling around the city. But that attempt ended in vain. but instead of destroying the targeted vehicle they bombed the vehicle in which the bodyguards of Archduke were in. After the failed attempt, Franz Ferdinand wanted to visit the injured men instead of going into hiding. Because of confusion of new route, the driver stopped the vehicle as it didn't have any reverse gear. But the driver stopped the vehicle right in front of Princip who then drew out a pistol and shot Archduke's wife and him. They died at the spot. Princip was a Bosnian Serb and also one of the assassins. 

Portrait of the assassination

  Dawn of The World War 1

The Austro-Hungarian Empire didn't take this assassination lightly. The relation between Serbia and Austro-Hungarian Empire was very tensed at that time even before the assassination. They blamed the Serbians for the assassination. As a result, the empire sent a list of Impossible demands to the Serbs. But after refusing the demands the Austro-Hungarian Empire declares war. Russia was supporting Serbia at that time and  Germany was supporting the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As result, after the mobilization of Russian soldiers, Germany declared war on Russia. During that time Russia's allies were France and the British Empire. France acted quickly and waged war against Germany. On the other hand, the British Empire was unsure whether they should join the war or not. But eventually, they did join after the Germans disrupted harmony in Belgium which was a neutral country. Thus began the great war. In which eventually 32 nations participated and suffered millions of casualties.

Why Franz Ferdinand Was The Wrong Target?

According to some historians, Archduke Frenz Ferdinand was the wrong target. He hated the Serbians and political ways of Russians. But he always put the empire above his personal thoughts. He was always against any war with Russia. Even, for the betterment of the empire, he wanted to change the empire into a tri-partied empire, That would include the Union of Slovak People.

That's why many historians still believe that if Franz Ferdinand survived, the war would be evaded.

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