Historical Significance
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand had an immediate impact on the world because his assassination was the event that sparked World War I. After the lethal incident in Austria-Hungary, the Austro-Hungarian government gave Serbia an ultimatum. Austria "said they would invade if the Serbs did not give Austria-Hungary complete control over their country. They gave the Serbs just two days to send a reply" (Ross 21). Austria did not agree to two points that they were given in their ten-point ultimatum, they "refused to accept Austrian officers in the Serbian army or Austrian ministers in the Serbian goverment. This was not good enough for Austria-Hungary and on July 29,it declared war on Serbia" (Ross 21.) Franz Ferdinand's assassination was the trigger that started WWI and Serbia and Austria-Hungary were the first countries to go to war. World War I has had an incredible impact on countries around the world, and it has changed a few things that would not have happened if WWI did not take place, and this is why Franz Ferdinand's assassination is so significant in World History.