Archduke Franz Ferdinand
It is known that the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife Sophie, Dutchess of Hohenberg by Gavrilo Princip, a member of The Black Hand at Sarajevo on June 28, 1914 served as the catalyst for World War 1. But in reality the world at war was already shaping years before the assassination of the archduke in a region called then as the Powder Keg Of Europe.
Otto von Bismarck, 1891, Chancellor of Germany
The Balkan
“I shall not live to see the world war… [but] it will start in the east.”
Otto von Bismarck, 1891, Chancellor of Germany
The Balkan is a peninsula in the eastern and southeastern part of Europe surrounded by four oceans, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean, the Adriatic and the Aegean. Within the land mass was a group of countries and provinces that includes Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Bosnia. For centuries the whole region was under the rule of the Ottoman Empire until its power and influence declined due to internal and external problems.
The Ottoman Empire was at the peak of its power in the 16th century expanding its territory in three continents, from Hungary to the Persian Gulf and from North Africa to the Caucasus. But the attempt to modernize the empire like those of the European ones late in the 19th century was close to a failure. Another factor for weakening was the Crimean War, even though they came out victorious it came with a heavy toll. The cause for these war was not fought mainly for the crumbling empire but for the interests of the European powers over the territory of the Ottoman Empire. For them to continue their campaign in the war the Ottoman state issued a foreign loan amounting to 5 million pounds sterling on August 4, 1854 and by the year 1875 they have declared a state of bankruptcy.
With the Ottoman Empire struggling to stand on its own another war broke, this time against Russia. The Russo-Turkish War in 1877 which was won by Russia. With this defeat the Ottoman sharply lost her grip on its territory in Europe. Bulgaria became an independent principality, Romania achieved independence, Serbia and Montenegro gained independence with smaller territories. Lastly in 1878, Austria-Hungary unilaterally occupied the Ottoman provinces of Bosnia-Herzogovina and Novi-Pazar.
The Balkans at the turn of the 19th century was not the best region in Europe. It was less populated, under developed and had few natural resources. The importance of the peninsula come with its strategic location, around it was the Russian, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires. Another asset of the Balkan is their access to several important waterways making them the gateway of the East and the West. With these circumstances, Britain, France, Russia and Germany developed a strong interest in the region based on the falling Ottoman Empire which was referred as the Eastern Question.
The Ottoman Empire was at the peak of its power in the 16th century expanding its territory in three continents, from Hungary to the Persian Gulf and from North Africa to the Caucasus. But the attempt to modernize the empire like those of the European ones late in the 19th century was close to a failure. Another factor for weakening was the Crimean War, even though they came out victorious it came with a heavy toll. The cause for these war was not fought mainly for the crumbling empire but for the interests of the European powers over the territory of the Ottoman Empire. For them to continue their campaign in the war the Ottoman state issued a foreign loan amounting to 5 million pounds sterling on August 4, 1854 and by the year 1875 they have declared a state of bankruptcy.
With the Ottoman Empire struggling to stand on its own another war broke, this time against Russia. The Russo-Turkish War in 1877 which was won by Russia. With this defeat the Ottoman sharply lost her grip on its territory in Europe. Bulgaria became an independent principality, Romania achieved independence, Serbia and Montenegro gained independence with smaller territories. Lastly in 1878, Austria-Hungary unilaterally occupied the Ottoman provinces of Bosnia-Herzogovina and Novi-Pazar.
The Ottoman may have contributed in adding friction towards World War 1 but it's more on the indirect effect when it left a gaping whole of power and interest over the territory it lost.
The Balkans at the turn of the 19th century was not the best region in Europe. It was less populated, under developed and had few natural resources. The importance of the peninsula come with its strategic location, around it was the Russian, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires. Another asset of the Balkan is their access to several important waterways making them the gateway of the East and the West. With these circumstances, Britain, France, Russia and Germany developed a strong interest in the region based on the falling Ottoman Empire which was referred as the Eastern Question.
Ottoman Army in Balkan Wars
The victory of Russia in the Balkan gave birth to new independent states in the region. From here on the Balkan would become a source of tension and conflict. Unlike the Crimean War and the Russo-Turkish War where the war was fought mainly for the interests of Britain, France and Russia over the Ottoman Empire territories, this time there's the states of Bulgaria, Romania, Montenegro, Serbia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, who officially annexed Bosnia-Herzogovina in 1908.
Under strong encouragement and supervision of Russia, an agreement was reached by Serbia and Bulgaria in March 1912. Bulgaria entered into a treaty with Greece in May 1912, the latter was vital for the group because they are the only country with a navy formidable enough to challenge the Ottoman Empire in the Aegean Sea.
Although mobilization happened ahead of the declaration Montenegro declared war on the Ottoman Empire in October 8, 1912, with the rest of the Balkan League following 10 days later. Historically the various ethnic groups in the Balkan peninsula was chaotically assembled as one by the Ottoman. Surprisingly their war efforts seemed to be well orchestrated with the common goal of toppling the Ottoman out of the Balkan. The four allies were successful in their own theater of war, Bulgarians was focused on Thrace and threatened Constantinople, Serbian and Montenegrin are fighting Ottoman soldiers out of Macedonia and Greek Navy was successful in beating the Ottoman fleet in the Aegean Sea making it impossible for reinforcement to reach its destination. The Treaty Of London officially ended the first Balkan War in May 1913. A second Balkan War erupted in June 1913 after the agreed partition of Macedonia before the first Balkan War was not met.
The military build up and arms race of the European powers and dispute over colonies around the globe. Formation of defense alliances among countries and the strong build up of nationalism among the populace and higher authorities specially in Serbia. All of these factors are like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. After the second Balkan War the balance of peace and power in the peninsula was tenuous. However, Serbia emerged as a bigger nation with a bigger ambition of a “Greater Serbia” which was ceased by the Austro-Hungarian Empire twice. First in 1908 when it annexed Bosnia-Herzogovina and after the first Balkan War when Serbia was forced by Austro-Hungarian Empire and other European powers to give up its goal of annexing a large part of Albania in order to gain access on the Adriatic. Serbia who considered Bosnia-Herzogovina its territory by population was angered by these actions and regarded Austro-Hungarian Empire with great hostility.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s persona was not of the ideal heir to the throne. He was cold, ill tempered, sharped tounged and worse, rumored insane. Anti-democratic and clericalist, the archduke was a conservative. His ideas are very contradicting of the ruling elite that at one point he proposed the polyglot empire of Austro-Hungarian into a triple monarchy of Slavs, Germans ang Magyars, with the three having the same voice in government. Though he cared a little about the Serbians ambition of a greater nation he wanted peace with them. He believed that a conflict with Serbia will result in a direct war against Russia, thus will result in the destruction of both empires.
Despite of the warnings about the activities of the group called the “Black Hand” Archduke Franz Ferdinand pushed through with his planned visit to inspect the Austro-Hungarian Army in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia on the morning of June 28, 1914. The archduke arriving via train together with his wife were drove by a six car convoy to the city hall for the official reception. Earlier in that morning Nedjelko Cabrinovic, a member of the Black Hand threw a hand grenade towards the royal couple's car. The driver accelerated the car after he saw the grenade, evading it and exploding under the next car injuring its occupants and a couple of people. Franz Ferdinand angrily stated to local officials “So, you welcome your guests with bombs?!”. After a brief rest at the governor’s house the royal couple insisted to visit those injured in the failed assassination. However, the driver who was unfamiliar with the city made a wrong turn. When the error was discovered the car had to turn around. Gavrilo Princip, who was at the tavern at the side of the street quickly seized the opportunity, he crossed the street and shot first Sophie in the abdomen and then shot Franz Ferdinand in the neck. The royal couple died with in minutes.
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was used by Austro-Hungarian government as an excuse to strike at Serbia. With the confidence of having the blank cheque of Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Ministerial Council convened and decided in July 7 to send an ultimatum to Serbia to initiate military action or Serbia’s humiliation. The delivery however was delayed deliberately because the French president and prime minister was in Russia for a state visit at the time. July 23, Austria-Hungary issued the unacceptable ultimatum with a 48 hour deadline. Serbia answered on July 25, meeting almost all in the demand but still, Austria-Hungary cut off diplomatic ties. July 26, Russia partially mobilized its army. Britain still pushing for mediation was denied by Austria-Hungary and Germany. In July 28 Austria-Hungary declared war with Serbia and the world is at war.
Don’t forget to like our Facebook Page Bullets And Missiles
Problem for the sick man of Europe seems to never end, the 1908 Young Turk Revolution brought back the constitutional monarchy of the Ottoman Empire and saw the Second Constitutional Era. Unfortunately, the Young Turks were overwhelmed by the nationalist element after the Sultan’s attempted coup. Austria-Hungary saw this turmoil of the Ottoman as an opportunity, in October 1908 the Ottoman province of Bosnia-Herzogovina was officially annexed. Bulgaria who declared independence in 1878 once again declared sovereignty, only this time they were recognized internationally.
The Bosnia-Herzogovina’s annexation in 1908, Italy’s victory in the Italo-Turkish War of 1911-12 and the growing nationalism to liberate the Balkan from Ottoman rule. This was saw as an opportunity by Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and later by Montenegro to finally topple Europe of the Ottoman Empire. This alliance were known as the Balkan League.
For disturbing the status quo or balance of power in the region the Balkan League was deeply opposed by the European powers. The league's ideology of nationalism and reform of the Balkan was met with warnings of grave consequences which was disregarded only. The disregarded threat was a clear sign that the other European powers wasn't able to show credible threat at the time because they don't want to risk their own alliance or assets or maybe they rather have a localized war than a fight among themselves.
Under strong encouragement and supervision of Russia, an agreement was reached by Serbia and Bulgaria in March 1912. Bulgaria entered into a treaty with Greece in May 1912, the latter was vital for the group because they are the only country with a navy formidable enough to challenge the Ottoman Empire in the Aegean Sea.
The inevitable conflict between the Ottoman Empire and the Balkan League was the result of poor diplomacy and contradicting policy over the Ottoman. Russia, the long rival of the Ottoman Empire is the lone power supporting the Balkan League. With a Pan-Slavic foreign policy they support Serbia and Bulgaria. They also wanted to access the warm waters of the Mediterranean from the Black Sea which was deeply opposed by Britain. Britain was a supporter of the Ottoman Empire because of their interest in territories within the Ottoman. To counter Russian influence in the Balkan Britain entered into a secret deal with Greece to enter the Balkan League. France who wanted only to strengthen their presence in the region specifically in Lebanon, Syria, Israel and the Palestinian territory informed Russia that they will not support them in case the Balkan conflict escalate into an Austro-Hungarian and Russian war. Austria-Hungary who was keenly interested in expansion down south and a port on the Adriatic deeply opposed a war against the Ottoman Empire. They also wanted a Balkan ruled by the Ottoman as a buffer against the Russians. Germany also opposed the Balkan League war efforts against the Ottoman Empire.
Although mobilization happened ahead of the declaration Montenegro declared war on the Ottoman Empire in October 8, 1912, with the rest of the Balkan League following 10 days later. Historically the various ethnic groups in the Balkan peninsula was chaotically assembled as one by the Ottoman. Surprisingly their war efforts seemed to be well orchestrated with the common goal of toppling the Ottoman out of the Balkan. The four allies were successful in their own theater of war, Bulgarians was focused on Thrace and threatened Constantinople, Serbian and Montenegrin are fighting Ottoman soldiers out of Macedonia and Greek Navy was successful in beating the Ottoman fleet in the Aegean Sea making it impossible for reinforcement to reach its destination. The Treaty Of London officially ended the first Balkan War in May 1913. A second Balkan War erupted in June 1913 after the agreed partition of Macedonia before the first Balkan War was not met.
The military build up and arms race of the European powers and dispute over colonies around the globe. Formation of defense alliances among countries and the strong build up of nationalism among the populace and higher authorities specially in Serbia. All of these factors are like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. After the second Balkan War the balance of peace and power in the peninsula was tenuous. However, Serbia emerged as a bigger nation with a bigger ambition of a “Greater Serbia” which was ceased by the Austro-Hungarian Empire twice. First in 1908 when it annexed Bosnia-Herzogovina and after the first Balkan War when Serbia was forced by Austro-Hungarian Empire and other European powers to give up its goal of annexing a large part of Albania in order to gain access on the Adriatic. Serbia who considered Bosnia-Herzogovina its territory by population was angered by these actions and regarded Austro-Hungarian Empire with great hostility.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s persona was not of the ideal heir to the throne. He was cold, ill tempered, sharped tounged and worse, rumored insane. Anti-democratic and clericalist, the archduke was a conservative. His ideas are very contradicting of the ruling elite that at one point he proposed the polyglot empire of Austro-Hungarian into a triple monarchy of Slavs, Germans ang Magyars, with the three having the same voice in government. Though he cared a little about the Serbians ambition of a greater nation he wanted peace with them. He believed that a conflict with Serbia will result in a direct war against Russia, thus will result in the destruction of both empires.
Despite of the warnings about the activities of the group called the “Black Hand” Archduke Franz Ferdinand pushed through with his planned visit to inspect the Austro-Hungarian Army in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia on the morning of June 28, 1914. The archduke arriving via train together with his wife were drove by a six car convoy to the city hall for the official reception. Earlier in that morning Nedjelko Cabrinovic, a member of the Black Hand threw a hand grenade towards the royal couple's car. The driver accelerated the car after he saw the grenade, evading it and exploding under the next car injuring its occupants and a couple of people. Franz Ferdinand angrily stated to local officials “So, you welcome your guests with bombs?!”. After a brief rest at the governor’s house the royal couple insisted to visit those injured in the failed assassination. However, the driver who was unfamiliar with the city made a wrong turn. When the error was discovered the car had to turn around. Gavrilo Princip, who was at the tavern at the side of the street quickly seized the opportunity, he crossed the street and shot first Sophie in the abdomen and then shot Franz Ferdinand in the neck. The royal couple died with in minutes.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Sophie, Dutchess of Hohenberg at their wake
The assassin, Gavrilo Princip was a member of the group Young Bosnia. He was one of three men sent by Dragutin Dimitrijevic, the head of the Black Hand and chief of Intelligence Department of the Serbian Army. The other men sent to assassinate Franz Ferdinand were Nedjelko Cabrinovic, and Trifko Grabez. The assassins are also provided with a gun, grenade and vials of cyanide, all were instructed to commit suicide after killing the archduke.
Gavrilo Princip
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was used by Austro-Hungarian government as an excuse to strike at Serbia. With the confidence of having the blank cheque of Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Ministerial Council convened and decided in July 7 to send an ultimatum to Serbia to initiate military action or Serbia’s humiliation. The delivery however was delayed deliberately because the French president and prime minister was in Russia for a state visit at the time. July 23, Austria-Hungary issued the unacceptable ultimatum with a 48 hour deadline. Serbia answered on July 25, meeting almost all in the demand but still, Austria-Hungary cut off diplomatic ties. July 26, Russia partially mobilized its army. Britain still pushing for mediation was denied by Austria-Hungary and Germany. In July 28 Austria-Hungary declared war with Serbia and the world is at war.
Don’t forget to like our Facebook Page Bullets And Missiles
Comments
Post a Comment