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The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

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The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on the 28th June 1914 by Gavrilo Princip of the Serbain Secret society, the "Black Hand" had devastating consequences on the world. The causes of this event can be found in the determination of Serbian nationalism to create a Southern Slav state and the equal determination of Austria to prevent this from happening. This created growing tension amongst the Great Powers which would lead to a series of Ultimatums and mobilisations which would affect many people's lives.
The annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina also known as the Bosnain Crisis of 1908-1909 erupted when on the 6th of October 1908, the Autrian-Hungarian Empire announced the annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina . Russia, Turkey, Britain, Italy, Germany, France, Serbia and the rest of the Balkan Nations took interest in the event. A revision of the Treaty of Berlin during April of 1909 brought an end to the crisis. However, the crisis permanently damaged between Austra-Hungary, Serbia and Russia. The annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina and resulting reactions were contributing factors to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The Balkans was known as the powder keg of Europe. One spark and the region seemed to explode. In 1912, the Balkan Nations of Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria and Montenegro put aside their differences to form the Balkan League. Using their new found stength, they decided to take advantage of the already weakened Turkey who was already known as the "dying man of Europe". During what became known as the first Balkan War, Turkey was nearly completly driven out of Europe in no more than 7 weeks. Meanwhile, Austria watched on stunned as the peoples of Serbia began adopting a nationalist point of view that clashed directly with Austria and Ipmerialism.
After the first Balkan war, Serbia had emerged as the most powerful nation in the Balkan League and using their new found power, almost doubled in size. This in turn frightened the Austrian Generals and

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