World War I, also known as the Great War, started due to a complex web of alliances, militarism, imperialism, and nationalism. However, the immediate catalyst was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary.
### Causes of World War I
1. **Alliances**: European countries had formed complex alliances to protect themselves. The major alliances were the Triple Entente (France, Russia, and the United Kingdom) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy).
2. **Militarism**: There was an arms race among the great powers, with countries building up large militaries and stockpiling weapons.
3. **Imperialism**: European powers were competing for colonies and global dominance, leading to conflicts and tensions around the world.
4. **Nationalism**: Various nationalistic movements within and between countries increased tensions. Nationalist fervor often led to a desire for greater power and independence.
### The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. On June 28, 1914, he was assassinated in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist. Princip was a member of a nationalist group called the Black Hand, which sought to end Austro-Hungarian rule over Bosnia and Herzegovina and unify these territories with Serbia.
### Consequences of the Assassination
The assassination set off a chain reaction of events:
1. **Austria-Hungary’s Ultimatum**: Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia, with harsh demands. Serbia’s response was seen as unsatisfactory by Austria-Hungary.
2. **Declarations of War**: Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Due to the interlocking alliances, this localized conflict quickly escalated. Russia mobilized to support Serbia, leading Germany to declare war on Russia, and subsequently on Russia’s ally, France. Germany’s invasion of Belgium brought the United Kingdom into the war.
3. **Global Conflict**: The conflict spread across Europe and involved many nations worldwide, resulting in a full-scale global war.
Thus, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand acted as the spark in an already volatile environment, leading to the outbreak of World War I.
