Vivienne Skrypek

Film

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the third in line to the Austro-Hungarian empire’s throne, and a man who suffered much conflict and loss throughout the entirety of his shortened life. His unfortunate demise in 1914 is often considered the initial trigger for World War I.  Though he was not expected to inherit the royal throne his position of power placed him at the center of the unstable European politics of the time. Archduke Franz Ferdinand held many conservative views and had a strong desire for reform making him an unpopular character in Europe and America at the time (May, 340). He was seen as haughty, cold, and proud by much of the public shedding a negative light on him and what he stood for (New York Times). Unfortunately, it was not his political policies or actions that cemented his significance in history, but rather his assassination, which was ultimately prompted by his actions, and the chain reaction that it set off.  

Archduke Franz Ferdinand was born on December 18, 1863, to Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria and Princess Maria Theresa of Bourbon (ThoughtCo). Ferdinand was raised within the strict confines of European royalty and with a focus on his military and royal training, that would prepare him for his duties in the future. Ferdinand began his military career at age 12, something that he would continue to pursue, eventually becoming a major general when he was 31 (Biography.Com). His father was the younger brother of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, giving his family significant influence over the Austro-Hungarian Empire and membership to the Habsburg dynasty, rulers of the Holy Roman Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Spanish Empire. The Emperor’s son, Crown Prince Rudolf, committed suicide in 1889 (ThoughtCo).  From there death seemed to follow Franz wherever he went with the death of his father, due to typhoid fever, shortly after in 1896 (Biography.com). These two deaths soon led Ferdinand to become the heir apparent to the Austro-Hungarian empire, placing a massive weight on his shoulders. This threw Ferdinand into the middle of the politics of his empire and straight into the affairs of the tumultuous Austro-Hungarian empire. 

Aside from conflict Ferdinand also experienced a great love. On July 1, 1900, Ferdinand married Countess Sophie Chotek von Chotkova. They had originally met in 1894 and had quickly fallen in love, though they had to keep their relationship a secret as she was not approved of by Emperor Franz Joseph. Their marriage went against the ideas of Franz Joseph as she was not a member of the House of Habsburg or a reigning dynasty of Europe and therefore not a suitable wife for the future Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Emperor Franz Joseph, through much convincing including some from Pope Leo XIII, agreed to their marriage in 1899 but was not in attendance at their wedding (Biography.com). Emperor Franz Joseph provided many conditions for Sophie to marry Ferdinand, some of which were being restricted from her husband's titles, privileges, or inherited property (ThoughtCo). With Countess Sophie Chotek von Chotkova Ferdinand had three children, Princess Sophie of Hohenberg; Maximilian Duke of Hohenberg; and Prince Ernst of Hohenberg. Sophie was eventually given the title of Duchess of Hohenberg in 1909, though she had very few official royal privileges (ThoughtCo). Some speculate that Emperor Franz Joseph may also have not approved of this marriage as it took Ferdinand away from his royal duties, as he was a devoted husband and a family-oriented man (BYU). These characteristics were great for his moral character, but awful for the success of his empire. 

Though reserved Ferdinand played a great role in the Austro-Hungarian army eventually serving as the inspector general of the Austro-Hungarian army. Whilst doing this he also fought to preserve the dominance of the Hapsburg dynasty, though many of his ideas of doing so were seen as unorthodox. Ferdinand lobbied for greater individual freedom and better treatment of Serbia, as he believed the Slavs’ unhappiness might lead to conflict, though he opposed national movements. Little did he know that it would be these nationalist movements, particularly Serbia, that would lead to his death. Alongside conflict in the territories of the Austro-Hungarian empire, due to disagreements in religion and politics, there was also turbulence in its upper ranks. It was reported that Ferdinand and Emperor Franz Joseph often disagreed, especially in regard to the future of their empire. This was one of the many rumors surrounding the Empirical family as Ferdinand was widely regarded by the public as closed off and short-tempered. Ferdinand was also thought of as insane due to the inbreeding in the Hapsburg dynasty (Biography.com). 

Ferdinand can also accredit his lack of popularity to the reforms he intended to enact when he became Emperor. Many of these reforms had to do with the Slavic nationalism he saw brewing in parts of Austria-Hungary. His main idea was “Trialism” which would replace the traditional Austro-Hungarian “dualism” (BYU). Trialism was the concept of a triple monarchy where the Slavic people would have equal representation in government, alongside the Germans and the Magyars. This would divide the Austro-Hungarian empire’s power more equally, though this idea was not popular with Austria-Hungary’s elite. Ferdinand also suggested a form of federalism made up of 16 states (BYU). This plan for federalism and the United States of Greater Austria aimed to avoid the collapse of the already dissipating Austro-Hungarian empire, something Ferdinand was well aware of. 

In the summer of 1914 General Oskar Potiorek invited Ferdinand and his wife Sophie to visit Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, to inspect the army maneuvers. This trip also served as a way for Ferdinand and his wife to be seen “Imprically” and make public appearances (BYU). In 1908 though Austria had annexed these provinces many European governments were upset by their decision. The Black Hand, a Serbian terrorist group, had decided to assassinate someone in protest and upon learning of Ferdinand’s trip to Sarajevo had selected him as their target. Earlier that morning a hand grenade had been fired at the Archduke’s car prompting him to interrupt the Mayor’s welcome speech saying, “What is the good of your speeches?  I come to Sarajevo on a visit, and I get bombs thrown at me.  It is outrageous!” (First World War). After a meeting with General Potiorek at City Hall, Ferdinand and his wife went to visit the victims of a grenade attack in the hospital. On the way to the hospital Ferdinand’s driver deviated from their path and drove past a member of the Black Hand, Gavrilo Princip. It was there on June 28, 1914, that Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his wife Duchess Sophie Chotek von Chotkov were shot and killed. 

Works Cited

"Archduke Franz Ferdinand." Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 14 Apr. 2021. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

"Franz Ferdinand." FirstWorldWar.com. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

"Franz Ferdinand." World War I: A Primary Source History, Brigham Young University. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

May, A. J. "The Archduke Francis Ferdinand in the United States." Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society (1908-1984), vol. 39, no. 3, 1946, pp. 333-344.

"Archduke Franz Ferdinand." ThoughtCo., Dotdash Meredith, 28 Aug. 2020. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

Artist's Statement

I chose to explore Franz Ferdinand’s story as I found his death’s role as what sparked WWI incredibly interesting. I chose the particular moment of his life and love with his wife to focus on, as it shows who he was as a person aside from his tragic death. My script was a lot longer than I had expected, making filming and editing quite tedious, though I found the work rewarding and fun. I will remember a lot more about the life of Franz Ferdinand from this project, as I was exposed to much of his life’s story. I think that the events of Franz’s life reveal a lot about his death being a scapegoat for what was an inevitable war. The nature of his death and the response to it makes me think a lot about how, in modern times, there will always be an excuse for the inevitable, created to fit certain narratives.