e was also a growing conflict between vast empires and nationalism. Large European empires, particularly Austria-Hungary ruled over many different ethnics groups throughout Europe. Many ethnic groups were treated unfairly by the government and by native Germans because of their differences in religion, culture, and heritage. Several of these ethnic groups resented Austria-Hungarian rule and many people in these nations demanded autonomy. These feelings of nationalism spread throughout the region and soon, Austria-Hungary began to feel threatened by the political unrest in the southeastern part of its empire (Evans 94). The nationalism building up in the troubled Austrian province of Bosnia was a particularly dangerous situation for the Austria-Hungarian Empire. After the Ottoman Empire withdrew from Bosnia, instead of obtaining independence, Bosnia was taken over by the Austria-Hungarian Empire. This infuriated Bosnian nationalists. Many people in both Bosnia and its neighbor Serbia, who achieved independence after Turkish withdrawal, felt that Bosnia should be either given full independence or annexed by Serbia. This belief know as the Greater Serbian Movement gave rise to several small militia groups that were determined to win Bosnia its freedom from Austrian rule. (Evans 95-96). Austria-Hungary saw Serbia as a deadly enemy was eager to erase it from the map (Hayman 5). All Austria-Hungary needed was an excuse to go to war with Serbia and put an end to the threats to their empire in the Balkans.Austria-Hungarys wishes were granted when Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne, and his wife Sophie took a trip to Bosnia. While driving down a street in Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital, a young man named Gavrilo Princip jumped out of a crowd and fatally shot the Archduke and his wife. This assassination sent shockwaves across the world and enraged the Austria-Hungarian government back in Vienna. The government though...
