There were several reasons why Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were targeted for assassination:
1. Annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina: Bosnia-Herzegovina, a province of the Ottoman Empire, was annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908. This annexation was highly unpopular among many Serbs, including Princip, who saw it as an act of aggression against Slavic people and a violation of Serbian national aspirations.
2. Franz Ferdinand's Views on Slavic Nationalism: Franz Ferdinand was known for his pro-Catholic, anti-Serbian views, and his support for a centralized and unified Austro-Hungarian Empire. He believed in reducing the power of Slavic minorities, particularly Serbs, in favor of increasing the influence of Roman Catholics.
3. Symbol of Habsburg Rule: Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne. His assassination was seen as a way to strike a blow against the Habsburg dynasty and undermine its authority in the region.
4. Black Hand's Involvement: The assassination was planned and executed by members of the Black Hand, a secret organization that aimed to unite all South Slavic peoples under one independent state. They viewed the assassination as a means of galvanizing support for their cause and inciting a general uprising against Austro-Hungarian rule.
5. Failure of Security Measures: Despite the known threat of assassination, the security arrangements for Franz Ferdinand's visit to Sarajevo were inadequate. This allowed Princip and his co-conspirators to carry out the attack successfully.
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife had far-reaching consequences, triggering a series of events that ultimately led to the outbreak of World War I. The assassination set off a chain reaction of diplomatic crises and military mobilizations, escalating tensions between the major European powers and leading to the outbreak of war in August 1914.