Final answer:
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary led to the exposure of several causes that contributed to the outbreak of World War I, including the complex network of alliances, the rise of nationalism, and the struggle for independence within Austria-Hungary.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary on June 28, 1914, sparked the beginning of World War I. This event led to the exposure of several underlying causes that eventually escalated the conflict. Among the causes that came to light after the Serbian shot the Austrian were:
- The complex network of mutual defense alliance treaties among the European powers, such as the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance, entangled nations and their interests in the event of a war.
- The rise of nationalism in Europe, particularly in Germany and Italy, and separatist movements among different European ethnic groups.
- The struggle for independence among various subject peoples within Austria-Hungary, including the Serbs, threatened the stability of the empire.