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Gavrilo Princip

Definition

Gavrilo Princip was a Bosnian Serb nationalist who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife, Sophie, in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. This event is often cited as the catalyst for World War I.

Analogy

Think of Gavrilo Princip like a spark that ignites a forest fire. The forest (Europe) was already dry and filled with tension (nationalism, militarism, alliances), but it needed that one spark (the assassination) to set everything ablaze (World War I).

Related terms

Assassination: The act of killing someone, usually a prominent figure, for political or ideological reasons. In this case, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Nationalism: A strong feeling of pride in and devotion to one's country or ethnic group. Nationalism played a significant role in the actions of Gavrilo Princip.

World War I: A major global conflict that took place from 1914-1918 involving many world powers divided into two opposing alliances - the Allies and Central Powers.



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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.