Summary: The Assassination Of Otto Von Bismarck

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Nearing the end of his life, Otto von Bismarck said, “One day the great European War will come out of some damned foolish thing in the Balkans,” (History.com Staff 1). As it so happens, Mr. von Bismarck was correct. The first World War was triggered by the unmerited assassination of the Austro-Hungarian Archduke. The day Ferdinand was killed, was his and his wife’s wedding anniversary (History.com Staff 1). The couple was visiting Sarajevo in a open car, a rarity at the time (Ben Cosgrove 1). Unfortunately, this city held threatening nationalists and terrorists. Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by a young man named Gavrilo Princip. Princip had been trained in terrorism by the Black Hand, a Serbian secret society (The Editors of Encyclopedia …show more content…

Simon Winder, a writer in the New York Times said, “Franz Ferdinand was probably the most senior anti war figure in Central Europe,” (Simon Winder 1). He knew the Habsburg weaknesses (Simon Winder 1). The Archduke emphasized the modernization of old empire rules, as they were a weakness (Talia Mindich 1). He also wished to retire old military chiefs and update the navy (Talia Mindich 1). Ferdinand felt that these things were tearing the empire apart, and his job was to fix it. A person who cares about his empire does not sound like the person one should …show more content…

The Serbian nationalists yearned to break off to make an independent state. They felt intimidated by the plans to create a federal government of 16 states (Biography.com Editors 1). Historian and writer, Tim Butcher, said, “Their dream was to drive out the Habsburg occupier, so shooting the Archduke was seen as a ‘grand gesture’ to inspire others to rise up against the foreign power,” (Tim Butcher 1). Princip killed the Archduke to eliminate the enemy and end his rule. He was wrongly regarded as a national hero years later. There is always a more peaceful way. If the reforms were implemented, the nationalists could have tried to argue them without immediately resorting to violence. The Archduke was just trying to solve the problems that were bringing the empire to an end.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination was unjust because he was only wanting to make the changes for the better, be a good husband and father, and be a good ruler. Others believe his assassination was just because his policies threatened the nationalists’ plans; however, these policies would have improved the Austro-Hungarian empire and strengthened his

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