The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand Was the Single Most Significant Event That Plunged Europe into War

The assassination of Franz Ferdinand was the single most significant event that plunged Europe into war.

World War I, the war to end all wars involved most of the civilized world. The assassination of Franz Ferdinand in 1914 is regarded as the cause of World War I, but really, can a single event be blamed for causing a war of this magnitude? Preceding the assassination there was tension between Germany and France. Already Germany had in place a plan for the war and other countries were forming alliances to protect themselves. Realistically World War I was inevitable; the assassination of Franz Ferdinand was merely the catalyst.

The tension causing World War I dates back to the industrial revolution in the late 18th century, over a hundred years before the war actually began. Britain’s pioneering role in the revolution held them in good stead and quickly became a superior nation. To remain slightly competitive with Britain the rest of the world had to form alliances, many of which were used in the war .

On 28 June 1914 World War I erupted when the heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne, Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Serbia by a Serbian organisation known as The Black Hand. 25 days after the killing Austria-Hungary handed Serbia its list of demands. They requested a crackdown on all organisations considered a threat to Austria-Hungary and to allow Austria-Hungarian authorities access into Serbia to help hunt down those responsible. When Serbia failed to meet these guidelines war was declared against them. This event triggered the biggest war the world had seen.

The Moroccan Crises and the Franco-Prussian war combined to cause significant tension between Germany and France in the years preceding the Great War. This tension proved to be a pivotal part of the beginning of World War I. Shortly after Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Germany saw its opportunity to implement the Schlieffen plan, and they took it . 91% of the German army marched west through its neighboring nation Belgium which proved to be a huge mistake. As Belgium considered itself neutral in relation to war it made an agreement with Britain to protect them if war they were forced into battle. Britain fulfilled their promise and came to Belgium’s aid. With 7 countries already involved in the war, all of which were aligned with others the remaining European nations were forced