Abstract This paper examines how there are historians who say the seeds of the Cold War, the long struggle of wills, ideology, plus brutal military might being brandished to the loyal allies of both Cold War antagonists, the West and Russia / Soviet Union, were created by the not-so-perfect peace that ended WWI. It also explores other claims that say the Cold War seeds were planted in 1914, when the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated. It looks at the background history of these events and attempts to make a connection between what happened and the later conflict between East and West.
From the Paper "However, although new maps were drawn ? and the Austro-Hungarian empire became fragmented, with Serbia and Bosnia becoming part of Yugoslavia ? in the bigger picture, guns were also drawn. Indeed, one month following Franz Ferdinand's murder, Austria declared war on Serbia ? after Serbia had rejected an unreasonable and impossible set of conditions in an Austrian ultimatum. The announcement of Austria's war declaration prompted Czar Nicholas II to ally his Russian nation with Serbia (fellow Slavs). Two days after Russia's declaration of support for Serbia, Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm urged Nicholas to recall his troops."
Tags: austria, serbia, archduke, franz, ferdinand, east, west
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that many factors initiated the start of World War I, but specifically it could be said that the origins of World War I began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. The writer maintains that this was the symbolic beginning of the war, although there were deeper rooted problems that may not have been as publicized. The writer then looks at how different countries became entangled in the war. The writer concludes that it was a needless war that should have been resolved between the two arguing nations diplomatically. Further, the writer maintains that militarism and alliances entangled many countries which should not have been part of this war. This paper uses footnotes but does not append a bibliography.
From the Paper "By racing for control of the free world, countries naturally made enemies. Following the assassination of Ferdinand, Austria-Hungary's heir to the throne, an ultimatum was issued to Serbia, who was believed to be responsible. The ultimatum called for the Assassins to be brought to justice. Displeased with the compliance by Serbia, on July 28, 1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia."
"This immediately entangled about 15 countries in the war. Russia, who was bound by treaty to Serbia, declared war on Austria-Hungary, which caused Germany, an ally to Austria-Hungary, to declare war on Russia. With recent tension between Germany and France, France, allied to Russia declared war on Germany and brought Britain and Japan with them."
Abstract On June 28, 1914, Gavrilo Princip, a nineteen year old student and an agent of the Serbian nationalist secret society, the Black Hand, assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary. This paper examines how events in the Balkans following the archduke's murder led to the beginning of the First World War. The paper considers the players involved in the historical conflict, alliances and the "mindlessly mechanical series of events that culminated in the world's first global war" .
From the Paper "This potential collapse of Austria-Hungary was not only important for the "Vienna government, but for Austria's German ally, for the other Great Powers, and for the balance of power system" (Sowards 2001). The clash with Serbia affected an issue of such magnitude that it is not difficult to understand how all the Powers became involved, "all of them had interests at stake" (Sowards 2001). The division into two sides was due to local considerations from Poland to Belgium, however, the risk of world war was due to the ethnic issues behind the 1914 Sarajevo crisis (Sowards 2001)."
Abstract This paper explains that, when Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, his death triggered a chain of events, which led to a general European war a month later. The author points out that the archduke had been the heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne. The paper relates that his murder by a Serbian nationalist incited enraged demands throughout Austria-Hungary that Serbia be punished.
From the Paper "When Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, his death triggered a chain of events which led to a general European war only a little more than a month later. The archduke had been the heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne, and his murder by a Serbian nationalist incited enraged demands throughout Austria-Hungary that Serbia be punished. Most Europeans regretted the tragedy but considered the assassination a matter that would be handled by the appropriate law enforcement authorities in the Austria-Hungarian Empire."
Abstract This paper examines the part the Balkans had to play in the outbreak of World War I. It argues that whilst Russia, Serbia and Austria all viewed hostilities as local to the area, Germany deliberately exploited the situation to create European war.
From the Paper ?The racial struggle cannot be avoided ? perhaps it will not take place now, but it will probably take place in one or two years.? Kaiser Wilhelm II, 10 December, 1912 That the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand provided the spark for World War One there can be little doubt. However, Kaiser Wilhelm II, and many of his generals, cabinet and advisors, had been looking for an excuse to instigate European war, and more specifically the Schlieffen Plan, before Russia's military power grew to rival that of Germany?s."
Tags:archduke, austria, europe, germany, russia, schlieffen, serbia, war, wilhelm, wwi, world, war, i
Abstract The paper is an investigation of the domestic, political conditions that led to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the ensuing crises. It frames the events of that day in the context of Serb domestic politics. Intro includes note on sources, background and Pan-Serbism historical context, nationalism, Balkan wars, previous coups and assassinations, and previous crises in the region. It also provides a brief history of terrorism, militant groups, and militias in Serbia.
From the Paper "Is it possible that history consists primarily of chaos and chance? When theories of dialectic historicism fail us, or when studies of the "great men" leave gaps, are we not left with dumb luck alone? Where would we be today if the Archduke of Austria-Hungary had taken another road? Would ten million have died if Gavrilo Princip had panicked at his chance to take the life of the heir to the Hapsburg throne? It seems impossibly fascinating to think that sheer coincidence tipped off the spiraling of Europe into the godforsaken trenches for more than half a decade. Unfortunately, as seductive as this what-if history may seem, there were actually some concrete factors at play on the fateful day in June of 1914. The Serbs had seen a rising patriotism across their society since the Balkan Wars. The government had no control over its own security forces, which developed into a state within a state. The militias popping up all over the Balkans were beyond of the control of authorities. Had Princip failed, it is not inconceivable that another disillusioned young radical would have eventually crossed a line somewhere and set things into motion. The conditions in Serbia at the time made it possible, with the atmosphere of rising nationalism, a growing militant movement uncontrollable by civil authorities, and an expanding and dangerous unaccountability on the part of certain elements of the Serb security forces. It was these domestic conditions, born out of history and contemporary conditions, which set the stage for the tragic murders of Sarajevo."
Tags: apis, black, ferdinand, hand, pasic, princip, sarajevo, serbian
Abstract This paper reviews Riasanovsky's work about the reign of Nicholas II and how it ultimately led to sweeping liberal reforms and the Revolution of 1905.
From the Paper "Many historians have dwelt on exactly why and how the reign of Nicholas II came to its end, and it seems that the answer lies largely in what such a deposed autocrat might have done while in power, why he did it and under what circumstances he lost control of the Russian monarchy. As emperor, Nicholas II was never in doubt about the dangers that surrounded him and his family, and his main anxieties were about his own ability to cope with them. But one thing was crystal clear to him?Russia must avoid war at almost all costs until she was prepared for war, and even then she would have to weigh in the balance what this would do to her prosperity and stability."
Abstract This paper examines the reasons why America pursued a policy of isolationism following WWI, how that policy was implemented and why America eventually moved away from an isolationist policy after WWII.
From the Paper "In its broadest sense, the term isolationism refers to the period in American history between the end of World War I and into the 1920's when certain American citizens and organizations held the view that America should remain a non-intervention and unilateral nation in regard to involvement in the affairs of Europe, especially pertaining to European wars and related military conflicts. Although isolationism itself "was a rather old concept in American history, it was only within the 20th century that it gained prominence and came under attack by numerous political and social critics." 1 However, as individuals and entities, those that advocated isolationism did not want the U.S. to sever itself from the rest of the world, for they did not oppose foreign trade and nor American expansion through what was then known as "Manifest Destiny", a policy begun in the later years of the 19th century. Isolationists, for the most part, were not pacifists either, for "they favored the maintenance of military force and might in order to safeguard American interests and national security." 2 One of the main components of the isolationist mind was a deep-seated distrust of Europe, especially when it came to Great Britain, for in essence, the isolationists believed that "America had the capability to help the rest of the world through the build-up of its own prosperity and freedom rather than by political or diplomatic involvement in Europe." "
Tags: world, war, i, assassination, archduke, francis, ferdinand, austria-hungary, nationalism
Abstract The paper states that the act of murder in any form is a tragic and often gruesome event. However, when it is a political leader whose life is taken, the incident acquires particular resonance. The paper explores some significant political assassinations which have occurred within the past 200 years. Specifically, time is devoted to a discussion of the assassinations of Abraham Lincoln, Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and much more recently, the assassination of former Israeli leader Yitzhak Rabin in late 1995. In each instance, this paper examines why these killings took place, as well as the repercussions of these seemingly senseless murders.
Abstract On June 28, 1914, a Bosnian nationalist terrorist, Gavrilo Princip, shot and killed Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie in Sarajevo.This paper discusses the various causes of the First World War in 1914. In particular, it examines the relationships around Europe and the participant powers and how it affected the war.
From the Paper "Since the beginning of history, human emotions and sensibilities have been used and misused by nations and empires in war. Nationalism, ethnicity, and government systems have all been utilized as wedges to make the people of one country the moral superiors to another, to create the mindset to justify organized killing without remorse or feeling."
