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Archduke Franz Ferdinand (heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire) and his wife, Sophie. The pair were murdered, which eventually sparked World War I from 1914 to 1918. Photo/ABC News
JAKARTA – The name of Archduke Franz Ferdinand is immortal in the history of World War I. Because, he was killed which later became the trigger for the outbreak of World War I.
Franz Ferdinand was a Hapsburg nobleman who was born on December 18, 1863. When he was assassinated on June 28, 1914, he was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Here’s the story and 5 facts about the assassination of Franz Ferdinand that sparked World War I.
1. Become a Murder Target
Franz Ferdinand’s background in becoming the target of assassination was inseparable from the hatred of various ethnic groups in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The empire is made up of various ethnicities that clash with each other over religion and politics. What they had in common was their hatred of the Hapsburgs, the rulers of the empire.
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Ferdinand, realizing his empire was headed for disintegration, changed government by making Slavic, German, and Magyar monarchies an equal say in government.
He also wants to form a federation with 16 states. This was contrary to the desire of Serbia, especially the nationalists, to be independent and separate from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Franz Ferdinand, who would inherit the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from his uncle, Emperor Franz Joseph, was then seen as a threat.
