The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Prequel to "The War to End All Wars"

There are usually several events that lead to the start of any war. A war hardly ever begins because of a single action. The Great War differs greatly in this aspect. Although there were many minor events that stirred things up, the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand is arguably the most significant factor that began the "war to end all wars." It has become known as "The Shot That Started The Great War."

Archduke Ferdinand was born the nephew of the Emperor Franz Josef. He was third in line to throne at birth, but the Emperor's only son fatally shot himself at his hunting lodge 1889 passing succession to Franz Ferdinand's father Karl Ludwig. Outliving his father, who did not wish to be emperor anyhow, Franz Ferdinand became the heir to the throne.

Franz Ferdinand lived an early life much like any prince not destined for the throne. He spent much of his time in his father's castles and hunting lodges or in the family's house in Vienna. He had a private education from tutors and excelled in his studies. He finished his final examinations to end his formal schooling at the age of 20. The apparent next step for a prince is to begin military training. As a prince, he was promoted quickly and frequently until he became Inspector General of the armed forces of Austria-Hungary in 1913.

Shortly after Franz Ferdinand's marriage, he was invited by General Oskar Potiorek, Governor of the Austrian provinces of Bosnia-Herzegovina, to watch his troops on their daily maneuvers. Because Ferdinand's wife was not a descendant of the Royal House of Hapsburg, she was not allowed to accompany her husband on many royal occasions. So when General Potiorek made it clear that his wife, Sophie, was also welcome, Franz Ferdinand happily obliged. He agreed to make the visit in June of 1914.

At the time, Austria-Hungary had annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina. Prior to this all of the people in this region were a part of the Serbian Kingdom. Most people in these surrounding nations considered themselves to be of the same nationality. Many Bosnians desired to have their province joined with Serbia across the river. Many in Serbia openly shared that desire.