More than 21 million dead, most of them civilians. The map of Europe redrawn. World War I—a conflict associated with the introduction of tanks, bombers, advanced artillery, chemical weapons, and trench warfare—left an indelible mark on civilization and the collective human psyche. History might’ve played out very differently, however, had a driver not made a wrong turn while chauffeuring a dignitary through the streets of Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina in the summer of 1914. Let’s look at the incident that reverberated worldwide. 

A Grave Mistake and the End of a Dynasty 

The visit of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir presumptive to the throne of Austria-Hungary, to Sarajevo in 1914 is still considered one of the most consequential occurrences in modern history. Ferdinand was a member of the Hapsburg (Habsburg) family, a dynasty that dated back to the Holy Roman Empire. His open-topped car journey through the capital of a country that his own country had annexed just a few years prior was ill-advised to say the least. A terrorist-affiliated group of Serbians—an ethnic group whom Ferdinand referred to as “scoundrels” and worse—attempted to assassinate Ferdinand by lobbing a grenade at his car. The explosive detonated, damaging another car, but all three occupants of Ferdinand’s car were unharmed. 

This was not the end of the story, however. Following that assassination attempt, Ferdinand continued with his plans to visit a local government office. He then directed his motorcade to visit a hospital where people injured in the earlier blast were being treated. Along the way, Ferdinand’s driver unintentionally turned onto the wrong street where an armed Serbian teenager, by coincidence, was walking. As the driver realized his mistake and tried to back out of the street, the teen shot Ferdinand and his wife Sophie at close range. Both died within several minutes. Ferdinand’s successor, his great-nephew Karl, was forced out of power a few years later, marking the end of the Hapsburg monarchy. 

The Start of a Cataclysm 

One wrong turn caused the world to take an immense turn for the worse. Ferdinand’s assassination is widely considered to be the catalyst for World War I, aka the “Great War,” with Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia soon after the incident. Existing regional conflicts, increasing nationalism, militarism, imperialist expansion, an arms race, and other factors also played a role. Let’s briefly review how the Sarajevo incident catalyzed a conflict that would engulf other parts of the globe until a true world war was raging. 

A European Incident Becomes a World War 

Just as the annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina stoked the assassination of Ferdinand, European colonies in Africa—where world powers including the United Kingdom, France, and Belgium had claimed large portions of land during the prior decades—were drawn into the conflict as they chose to fight for independence from their colonizers rather than fight for them in the larger war. Honoring a 1902 agreement with Great Britain, Japan fought on the side of the Allies in World War I, going after German ships in its own waters and attacking a German naval base in China. Russia entered the war as an ally of Serbia, and its disastrous involvement—led by Tsar Nicholas II—was an inciting factor for the Russian Revolution and the fall of the Romanov dynasty.  

A Comprehensive Look at the War and Other Historical Turning Points 

More than a century later, World War I remains a gripping subject. The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online Master of Arts in History program can help you unpack the Great War in a 16-week course devoted to the topic. HIST6348 World War I will enlighten you with detailed background and context for the war and its lasting effects. The 16-week online format of our courses facilitates an in-depth examination of important historical events from the United States and around the world. And there are many other program benefits: 

  • Complete coursework on your own schedule from practically anywhere in the world. 
  • Maintain your professional and personal commitments while you earn your degree. 
  • Complete your master’s degree in as little as two years. 
  • Select a thesis or non-thesis track. 

Look Forward to Greater Professional Potential 

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, consider expanding your knowledge and professional potential with a graduate degree. Our MA in history helps you develop critical thinking, communication, analytical, and other transferrable “soft” skills that, according to the U.S. Department of Labor and Forbes, today’s professionals must possess. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that master’s degree holders earn about 18% more than bachelor’s degree holders and are more likely to be employed. Our MA in history prepares you for doctoral-level studies, law school, advancement within your current career, or a transition into professional areas such as: 

  • Government 
  • Law enforcement 
  • Management 
  • Education 

Gain a broader understanding of the past as you strengthen your future with our online MA in history program. Apply now! 

Sources: 
https://www.biography.com/political-figure/franz-ferdinand
https://www.history.com/news/the-assassination-of-archduke-franz-ferdinand
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/cp/obituaries/archives/archduke-franz-ferdinand-world-war