Beginnings of WWI
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914 sparked the intercontinental war that was the fourth deadliest war in history. Franz Ferdinand was the leader of Austria-Hungary, a country that was a mere shadow of its former self. The people of Austria-Hungary were a compilation of minorities, and many were unhappy with the economy and quality of life. When he took a trip to Sarajevo in June 1914, the Black Hand group of assassins looked to capitalize on the opportunity by killing the Archduke. Seven assassins were trained and put into the crowd on the path of his ride. Franz rode in a topless caravan, allowing easy shots. All but one assassin couldn't muster up the courage to shoot. The one that could shoot threw a bomb that missed. The bomb injured civilians, and Franz decided to visit the injured in the hospital. On the way, the driver took a wrong turn, so he stopped to turn around and consult a map. He happened to stop in front of one of the assassins who was unable to shoot before, and mad at himself for not having the courage. The second time, however, he took shots from six feet away and hit Franz Ferdinand in the chest and his wife in the stomach.