The Bullet that Started WWI

Summary

On June 28, 1914, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip set off a chain of events leading to World War I. Tensions between Serbia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, fueled by the occupation of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the desire for a unified Slavic representation, led to the formation of militant groups like the Black Hand. Despite an initial failed attempt, Princip seized a second chance to assassinate Ferdinand, an act that triggered a diplomatic breakdown and the mobilization of armies, culminating in the Great War.

Takeaways

• 💥 The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914, by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip, was a pivotal event that triggered World War I.
• 🌍 In 1914, Europe was divided among major powers such as the German Empire, Russian Empire, and Austro-Hungarian Empire, with tensions particularly high between Austria-Hungary and Serbia.
• 🏰 Serbia's animosity towards Austria-Hungary was fueled by the occupation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which had a significant Serb minority and was seen by Serbian nationalists as rightfully part of Serbia.
• 👑 Franz Ferdinand's political views, favoring a more unified empire with better representation for Slavic citizens, were contrary to Serbian nationalist goals of an independent and larger Serbian nation.
• 🖤 The formation of the secret revolutionary organization 'The Black Hand' in 1911 aimed to break the southern provinces from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and create an enlarged Serbia.
• 🔫 Gavrilo Princip, a young Bosnian Serb radicalized in his youth, shared the sentiments of The Black Hand and was part of the Young Bosnia group, which was committed to freeing Yugoslavs under Austro-Hungarian control.
• 🚗 The initial attempt to assassinate the Archduke failed when the bomb thrown by Nadelko Cabrinovich rolled off the car and injured people behind the Archduke's vehicle.
• 🔮 The failed assassination attempt led to a change in the Archduke's plans, which inadvertently brought him closer to Princip, who seized the opportunity to assassinate him with a pistol.
• 🏥 The Archduke and his wife were killed instantly, and their deaths led to a rapid escalation of diplomatic and military tensions between Serbia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
• 🔗 The assassination and subsequent events set off a chain reaction of alliances and pacts being honored, leading to the involvement of multiple European powers in what became World War I.
• 📜 The script highlights the complex interplay of nationalism, political ambitions, and secret organizations that contributed to the outbreak of the war, illustrating the intricate web of causation that historians continue to study.

Q & A

What event is considered the catalyst for World War I?

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria on June 28, 1914, is considered the catalyst for World War I.

Who was the main instigator behind the assassination attempt on Archduke Franz Ferdinand?

Gavrilo Princip was the main instigator behind the assassination attempt on Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

What was the political climate like in Europe before the assassination?

Before the assassination, Europe was divided between three major powers: the German Empire, Russian Empire, and Austro-Hungarian Empire, with tensions particularly high between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and its southern neighbor, Serbia.

Why did Serbia have strained relations with the Austro-Hungarian Empire?

Serbia had strained relations with the Austro-Hungarian Empire due to the occupation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which contained a sizable Serb minority and was considered by Serbian nationalists to be part of Serbia.

What was the Black Hand organization and what was its goal?

The Black Hand, also known as Unification or Death, was a secret revolutionary organization that aimed to break the southern provinces from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and create an enlarged, ethnically united Kingdom of Serbia.

What was the significance of Franz Ferdinand's political desires in the eyes of Serbian nationalists?

Franz Ferdinand's political desires were significant to Serbian nationalists because he favored a more unified empire with better political representation for Slavic citizens, which threatened Serbian nationalists' goal of a separate, larger Serbian nation.

How did the initial assassination attempt by the conspirators fail?

The initial assassination attempt failed when the bomb thrown by Nadelko Cabrinovich rolled off the back of the car and only wounded people behind the archduke, without harming him.

What was the outcome of the failed assassination attempt for the conspirators?

After the failed attempt, the conspirators dispersed into the crowd, with some like Cabrinovich attempting suicide with an old and ineffective cyanide pill and being arrested after being found in a shallow part of the river.

How did the assassination ultimately succeed?

The assassination ultimately succeeded when Gavrilo Princip took advantage of a stopped car carrying the archduke at a cafe and shot both Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, at point-blank range with a pistol.

What were the immediate consequences of the assassination for the conspirators?

The immediate consequences for the conspirators included the execution of some over 20 years old, while others like Princip, Cabrinovich, and Grabez were imprisoned and died within the next four years.

How did the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand lead to the outbreak of World War I?

The assassination led to a breakdown in diplomacy between Serbia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which, with the support of the German Empire, declared war on Serbia. This triggered a domino effect of alliances and hostility among European powers, leading to the outbreak of World War I.

Outlines

00:00

🔪 The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

The first paragraph sets the stage for the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, detailing the political tensions between Serbia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It describes the formation of the Black Hand, a secret revolutionary organization aiming to break the southern provinces from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The narrative focuses on the role of Gavrilo Princip, a young Bosnian Serb radicalized in his youth, who was part of the Young Bosnia group. The paragraph also touches on previous assassination attempts by other nationalists, leading up to the failed bomb attack on the Archduke's car by Nadelko Cabrinovich, which injured around 20 people but did not kill the target.

05:02

💣 The Failed and Successful Assassination Attempts

This paragraph delves into the planning and execution of the assassination attempt on Archduke Franz Ferdinand. It highlights the involvement of Major Tankosic, a Serbian officer and founder of the Black Hand, who provided weapons for the operation. The narrative follows the seven young Bosnians, including Princip, who were armed with bombs and pistols. The initial attempts by Mehmed Bashtit and Vasco Chubbulovich to throw bombs failed, but Cabrinovich managed to throw a bomb that injured people but did not kill the Archduke. The situation turned comical as Cabrinovich attempted suicide with an ineffective cyanide pill and was caught by the police. The paragraph culminates in the unexpected opportunity presented to Princip when the Archduke's car stopped in front of him, allowing him to shoot and kill the Archduke and his wife, Duchess Sophia.

10:02

🌐 The Domino Effect Leading to World War I

The final paragraph explores the aftermath of the assassination and its role in triggering World War I. It describes the diplomatic breakdown between Serbia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, leading to the latter declaring war on Serbia. The paragraph also mentions the involvement of other European powers, such as the German Empire, which supported Austria-Hungary with a 'blank check' of assistance. The narrative underscores the rapid escalation of hostilities as nations scrambled to honor their alliances, ultimately leading to the widespread conflict known as World War I. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the impact of Princip's actions, highlighting how an angry 19-year-old boy set off a chain of events that would engulf Europe in war.

Keywords

💡Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and his assassination on June 28, 1914, was a pivotal event that led to the outbreak of World War I. In the script, his death is depicted as a result of the actions of Gavrilo Princip, a member of the nationalist group Young Bosnia, and it is the central event around which the video's narrative is constructed.

💡Austro-Hungarian Empire

The Austro-Hungarian Empire was one of the major powers in Europe at the time of the assassination. It had a strained relationship with Serbia due to its occupation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which contained a significant Serb minority. The empire's policies and actions are integral to understanding the motivations behind the assassination attempt and the subsequent political fallout.

💡Serbian Nationalists

Serbian nationalists believed that Bosnia-Herzegovina, with its Serb minority, should be part of Serbia. The script describes how these nationalists, including the Black Hand organization and Gavrilo Princip, were motivated by a desire for a unified Serbian state and were opposed to the Austro-Hungarian Empire's influence over the region.

💡Black Hand

The Black Hand, also known as 'Unification or Death,' was a secret revolutionary organization mentioned in the script. It aimed to break the southern provinces from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and create an enlarged, ethnically united Kingdom of Serbia. The organization played a significant role in the assassination plot against Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

💡Gavrilo Princip

Gavrilo Princip was a young Bosnian Serb who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The script describes him as having been radicalized from a young age and being part of the Young Bosnia group, which shared the Black Hand's goals. His actions are central to the video's main theme of the assassination and its consequences.

💡Young Bosnia

Young Bosnia was a group of like-minded individuals who shared the nationalistic sentiments of the Black Hand. The script mentions that members of this group, including Gavrilo Princip, were determined to change the tide of history by freeing Yugoslavs still under Austro-Hungarian control.

💡Assassination

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand is the main event of the video. The script details the failed attempt by Nadelko Cabrinovich and the successful act by Gavrilo Princip. The assassination is the catalyst for the chain of events leading to World War I.

💡World War I

World War I was triggered by a series of diplomatic crises following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The script outlines how the event set off a domino effect of alliances and declarations of war among European powers, leading to the large-scale conflict.

💡Bosnia-Herzegovina

Bosnia-Herzegovina was a region with a significant Serb minority that was occupied by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The script describes the occupation as a source of tension between Serbia and the empire, and a key factor in the motivations of Serbian nationalists.

💡Diplomatic Crisis

The diplomatic crisis refers to the breakdown of relations between Serbia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire following the assassination. The script explains how this crisis escalated, with Serbia mobilizing its army and Austria-Hungary declaring war, leading to the involvement of other European powers and the onset of World War I.

Highlights

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914 was a pivotal event that led to World War I.

Europe in 1914 was divided among the German, Russian, and Austro-Hungarian empires with tensions high, especially between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Serbia.

Serbia resented Austro-Hungary's occupation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which had a large Serb minority, and believed it should be part of Serbia.

Serbian nationalists formed militant organizations like the Black Hand to achieve their territorial goals against Austro-Hungary.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand's political views threatened Serbian nationalist goals as he favored a unified empire with better representation for Slavic citizens.

Gavrilo Princip, a young Bosnian Serb radicalized from a young age, shared the Black Hand's goals of breaking away southern provinces from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The assassination plot involved multiple conspirators armed with bombs and pistols, showing the extensive planning behind the attack.

The first attempt to assassinate the Archduke failed when the bomb thrown by Nadelko Cabrinovic rolled off the car and injured people behind it.

Cabrinovic's failed suicide attempt by cyanide and the subsequent capture of the conspirators highlighted the chaotic nature of the event.

The Archduke's change of plans to visit the injured from the first bomb attempt inadvertently led Princip to his successful assassination.

Princip's successful assassination of the Archduke and his wife with a pistol at point-blank range had immediate fatal consequences.

The aftermath saw 25 people implicated in the assassination, with some executed and others imprisoned, showing the severity of the repercussions.

The assassination led to a breakdown in diplomacy between Serbia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, with Serbia mobilizing its army with Russian support.

Austria-Hungary's declaration of war on Serbia, supported by Germany, set off a domino effect of alliances and hostility among European powers.

The transcript describes the assassination as the trigger for World War I, illustrating the far-reaching impact of a single event.

The conspirators did not anticipate the scale of the conflict that their actions would ignite, showing the unintended consequences of their plot.

Transcripts

guerrilla princip and the assassination

of archduke franz ferdinand

on sunday june 28 1914

serbian nationalist nadelko chabrinovich

threw a bomb at the back of a car

carrying archduke franz ferdinand the

bomb rolled off wounded around 20 people

behind the archduke instead

not the best start to an assassination

that would lead to world war one

in 1914 europe looked a little different

from today most of the continent was

divided between three major powers the

german empire russian empire and the

austro-hungarian empire with france

italy and a few other countries squashed

in

it was that last one the

austro-hungarian empire and its strained

relations with its southern neighbor

serbia that is key to understanding why

the assassination occurred

serbia had grown to detest

austria-hungary after it occupied its

neighbor called bosnia-herzegovina

first in 1878 and formerly in 1908

bosnia-herzegovina contained a sizable

serb minority and was therefore believed

by serbian nationalists that it ought to

be part of their own country

serbia overthrew their

pro-austro-hungary rulers some years

earlier in 1903 and had established a

government that wasn't too fond of the

empire

by 1914 these tensions only increased as

serb and bosnian serb nationalists

stoked the flames of the slowly growing

fire by creating militant organizations

to obtain their territorial objectives

and franz ferdinand's political desires

significant as he was next in line as

the emperor of austria-hungary only

fueled their anger

ferdinand was in favor of a more unified

empire where its slavic citizens in

southeastern europe would get better

political representation

while sounding great on paper to serbian

nationalists it would accomplish nothing

but weakening their goals for a separate

larger serbian nation and so sought to

prevent it

in may 1911 the black hand was formed

although back then it was better known

as unification or death

it was a secret revolutionary

organization whose name tied in with its

ultimate goal to break the southern

provinces from the austro-hungarian

empire and create an enlarged supposedly

ethnically united kingdom of

serbia although not part of the black

hand young poor bosnian serb gavrilo

princip who had been radicalized since

his youth shared their sentiments and

had befriended other radicals determined

to change the tide of history later

being introduced to the young bosnia

group

like many others he believed serbia had

a moral duty to free yugoslavs still

under austro-hungarian control

princip was just 19 when he met other

bosnian serbs like himself after

traveling to and living in belgrade

some of these later co-conspirators were

students others were already

revolutionary exiles because of their

socialist beliefs

over the last 10 years leading up to

1914 there had been multiple attempts on

government officials lives by other

nationalists the most notable of this

was bogdan zaraich who attempted to

assassinate general marian varshani

governor of bosnia in sarajevo in 1910.

he shot five times in his direction

before turning the gun on himself

this is one of the events that spurred

on princip and his co-conspirators just

a few years later

in 1913 relations between bosnia and the

rest of the empire had reached an

all-time low a state of emergency was

declared by general oscar patilrec

leading to the dissolution of the

bosnian parliament the imposition of

martial law and the shutdown of serbian

cultural and educational societies

this of course only incited princep's

rage further and he formed a group with

two other friends nadelko chabrinovich

and trifco grabbish whose goal was to

ultimately follow the earlier zaraiich's

example but with more successful results

they were not the only ones who had such

designs the black hand who princip was

already friendly with were already busy

forming their own plans

in sarajevo a prominent member of the

organization daniel irich sent

chabrinovich a note a newspaper clipping

regarding the archduke's planned visit

and a single word in the margins

greetings

chabrinovich showed the paper to princip

who had the same thought this was their

opportunity

this was not the young men's first

encounter

and princip were already friends along

with chabrinovich and all members of the

young bosnia group a revolutionary

anti-austro-hungary group

elitch would later claim he coordinated

the attack completely although in truth

he had been less the puppeteer than the

puppet

from there the three boys consulted

major tankosic a serbian officer and one

of the founders of the black hand who

agreed to provide the group with weapons

to carry out the attempt

they sent ward to elij who immediately

organized things in bosnia itself

arranging to send three other young

revolutionaries to meet the others in

sarajevo their names were sejetko

popovich vasso chubbulovich and mehmed

mehmet

armed with six bombs four pistols and a

cyanide pill each to be taken

immediately after the assassination the

seven young bosnians began their attempt

it was june 28 1914

archduke franz ferdinand and his wife

the duchess sophia were to inspect a

military garrison before traveling

towards the city hall to open a new

state museum daniel illich had

positioned the assassins along their

route each young man armed with a bomb

but it turns out killing is a lot easier

in theory than in practice

first the motorcade went past mehmed

bashtit who lost his nerve and failed to

throw his bomb

the same happened next with chuberlovich

who also failed to act when he saw the

car coming

but the same cannot be said of

chibrinovic when the car came down his

part of the route he summed up all the

courage of a 19 year old who had never

seen war and threw his bomb

which promptly rolled off the back of

the archduke's car and under the wheels

of the one behind in the motorcade

injuring around 20 people but killing

none

what followed was more like a looney

tunes episode than real life

chabrinovich immediately swallowed his

cyanide pill before jumping in the river

unfortunately the pills were old and

ineffective so rather than kill the

young student all it did was make him

vomit

and rather than the river washing him

away chabrinovich found himself standing

in 13 centimeters of water as the river

had dried up in the heat before being

dragged out by police and beaten up

before being taken into custody

the rest vanished into the crowds in the

confusion disheartened and angry their

attempt had failed

but unexpectedly for all of them that

wasn't the group's last chance at the

archduke

after hearing others had been injured by

the bomb ferdinand changed his plans to

visit the museum deciding instead he

wanted to travel to the hospital and

check on the injured but that message

did not reach the archduke's drivers who

continued with the original plan

meanwhile cabrillo princip was lamenting

the group's failures at the nearby

moritz schiller cafe when a twist of

fate changed the course of history

almost directly in front of the young

rebel the car carrying the archduke was

told to stop the driver being told of

his error when the car came to a stop

and put into a slow reverse princip saw

his chance

summoning his courage he pulled out the

pistol tanko said she'd given him and at

point-blank range shot arched franz

ferdinand in the neck and his wife

sophia in the abdomen immediately after

both were dead before they reached the

hospital

in the aftermath 25 persons were

implicated in the assassination mehmet

bastich escaped to serbia but the others

were not so lucky

being over 20 years old trebilovich

ilyich and fellow conspirator jovanovich

were executed and princip chabrinovich

and grebsche found themselves imprisoned

at tresinstadt where all three would die

in the next four years

interviews with princip gibrnovich and

popovich during their trials showed that

these three at least did not regret

their actions but they also didn't

anticipate what would come next

just a month later diplomacy and

civility between serbia and the

austro-hungarian empire had broken down

completely

serbia with the knowledge of new support

from the russian empire still acquiesced

to some of these demands by

austro-hungary that included suppressing

propaganda against the empire and

allowing their officials to join the

serbian inquiry into the assassination

but without a complete agreement

austro-hungary responded by breaking

diplomatic relations

the serbian army mobilized assured of

russian support behind it

austria-hungary 2 did not stand alone

however having nurtured a pact of

alliance with the german empire

seeking to assure their ally kaiser

wilhelm ii and his administration issued

the infamous blank check to the

austro-hungarian government promising

uncompromised assistance in their

endeavors in the balkans

emboldened by their ally on july 28 1914

austria-hungary declared war on serbia

shelling the national capital of

belgrade that very night what occurred

in the days that followed was a near

domino effect of hostility as european

powers and nations scrambled to honor

pacts of friendship and alliance europe

as historian christopher clark is

written sleepwalked into war triggered

in earnest by an angry 19-year-old boy

gabrillo princip