ARCHDUKE FRANZ FERDINAND

EARLY LIFE

• Born December 18, 1863 in Graz Austria
• Oldest son of Archduke Karl Ludwig
• Nephew of the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph
• Member of the Hapsburg family

MILITARY MAN

• Joined the military at age twelve
• Rose quickly through the ranks
• Major General by age 31
• Known for great military tactics

HEIR TO THE THRONE

• Cousin Prince Rudolf commits suicide
• Archduke Karl Ludwig dies of illness
• Emperor Franz Joseph names him his heir
• Quickly groomed for his future reign.

SOPHIE & FRANZ

• Falls in love with noblewoman Lady Sophia Chotek
• Relationship frowned upon by the Emperor
• Refuses to marry anyone else
• World leaders plead for his cause (including the Pope)
• Emperor agrees as long as his children's right to the throne are revoked

BELIEFS OF THE PEOPLE

• Not well liked by his subjects
• Dislike of any Hapsburg ruler
• Believed to be insane due to Hapsburg inbreeding
• Believed to be vain

FRANZ AS A RULER

• Attitude towards the public is cold
• Is sharp tongued
• Due to military experience
• Still cares about his people

TRIP TO SARAJEVO

• Invited by city officials to see grand city
• Knew of the Black Hand terrorists
• Ignores the warnings of advisors
• Car is bombed and injures two other passengers

DEATH

• Is outraged and decides to return to hotel
• "Is this how you treat your visitors?!... This is outrageous!"
• Driver takes a wrong turn on the way back and tries to back out
• Gavrilo Principle shoots him in the neck and Sophie on the abdomen
• Both die before making it to the hospital.

WORKS CITED