The Outbreak of the War (August-September 1914)

Contrary to the expectations of almost everyone, war broke out among the European powers in September of 1914. Historians think there were four main reasons for this unexpected event.

1. Nationalist sentiments across Europe

2. Imperialist competition in Africa and Asia

3. Diplomatic Alliances

On June 28, 1914, the heir to the throne of the Hapsburg Empire, the Archduke Francis Ferdinand, visited the capital city of the province of Bosnia, Sarajevo. Riding in an open car to demonstrate his closeness to the people he would soon rule over, the Archduke was shot and killed at point blank range. The assassin was a student who belonged to the Black Hand, a Serbian nationalist political movement, which wanted the province of Bosnia to become part of the country of Serbia.