Franz Ferdinand (1863-1914) was the Archduke of Austria-Hungary. On June 28th 1914, Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were killed. However, that wasn't the first attempt on their life that day. Earlier that day the archduke and his wife were on their way to the city hall in Sarajevo to attend a meeting when a grenade was thrown towards their car. But it missed, and exploded behind them. This caused the occupants in the trailing car to become severely injured. Later on that day Franz and Sophie insisted on visiting the victims at the local hospital. However the Archdukes car driver didn't know that their plans for the day had been changed. The driver had gone the wrong way! Once the driver was let known of his mistake he turned around and headed for the hospital but never made it. Halfway there their car had stalled and left them stranded. The royal couple did not also expect that across the street from where they broke down the assassin was sitting in a cafe. The assassin walked out of the cafe, confronted the couple, and shot them both on site.
So why would Franz Ferdinand and his wife be targeted by assassins? This was because Serbians were opposed to Astro-Hungarian rule. Even though Serbian revolutionists carried out the assassination Serbia itself was targeted by Austria-Hungary because political leaders even had knowledge of this plan and gave the revolutionists guns and ammo. Before Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia they wanted to make sure that Germany was with them (which they were) in case Russia tried to counter attack and aid Serbia (Which they did).
It is believed that this event caused the arms race, a race for alliances, and World War One itself.
So why would Franz Ferdinand and his wife be targeted by assassins? This was because Serbians were opposed to Astro-Hungarian rule. Even though Serbian revolutionists carried out the assassination Serbia itself was targeted by Austria-Hungary because political leaders even had knowledge of this plan and gave the revolutionists guns and ammo. Before Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia they wanted to make sure that Germany was with them (which they were) in case Russia tried to counter attack and aid Serbia (Which they did).
It is believed that this event caused the arms race, a race for alliances, and World War One itself.