Which of the following can be used to investigate the reason the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand sparked World War I?

knowledge of the Schlieffen Plan
knowledge of the Schlieffen Plan

the nationality of Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassin
the nationality of Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassin

the collapse of the alliance system
the collapse of the alliance system

the role that East African soldiers played in the war

knowledge of the Schlieffen Plan, the collapse of the alliance system, the role that East African soldiers played in the war

To investigate the reason the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand sparked World War I, you can consider various factors. Let's analyze each option individually:

1. Knowledge of the Schlieffen Plan: The Schlieffen Plan was a German military strategy that aimed to quickly defeat France in the west and then shift forces to the east to face Russia. While the plan was influential in shaping the course of the war, it does not directly explain why the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand led to the outbreak of WWI. Therefore, this option may not be the most relevant for investigating the reason behind the war's start.

2. The nationality of Archduke Franz Ferdinand's assassin: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist, played a critical role in sparking WWI. By killing the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Princip's act ignited a chain of events that led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia and eventually triggered the alliance system to come into play. Therefore, examining the nationality of Archduke Franz Ferdinand's assassin is a significant factor when investigating the reason behind WWI.

3. The collapse of the alliance system: The alliance system played a crucial role in escalating the war. After Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, various countries became involved due to their alliances and commitments. For example, Russia supported Serbia, Germany supported Austria-Hungary, and eventually, other nations joined in as well. This interconnectivity and the obligation to support allies contributed to the rapid spread of the conflict. Therefore, the collapse of the alliance system is an essential aspect to consider when investigating the reason behind WWI.

4. The role that East African soldiers played in the war: While the role of East African soldiers in WWI is significant, it may not directly explain why the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand sparked the war. Understanding their contributions is valuable from a broader perspective, but it might not provide a direct explanation for the war's cause.

In conclusion, when investigating why the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand sparked World War I, relevant factors include the nationality of the assassin, the collapse of the alliance system, and to a lesser extent, the potential role of East African soldiers.

To investigate the reason the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand sparked World War I, you can consider the following factors:

1. Knowledge of the Schlieffen Plan: The Schlieffen Plan was a military strategy developed by Germany to quickly defeat France in the event of a war with Russia. Understanding this plan can provide insights into the motivations and actions of the involved parties.

2. The nationality of Archduke Franz Ferdinand's assassin: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by a Serbian nationalist named Gavrilo Princip played a significant role in triggering the war. Examining the motivations, objectives, and affiliations of the assassin can shed light on the causes of the conflict.

3. The collapse of the alliance system: The early 20th century saw the formation of various military alliances between major European powers. These alliances created a complex network of commitments and obligations. Investigating the collapse of these alliances can help determine how the assassination escalated the conflict into a broader war.

4. The role that East African soldiers played in the war: While the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand directly triggered the war, examining the involvement of East African soldiers can provide insights into how the conflict spatially and geopolitically expanded beyond Europe. Understanding the broader dynamics of the war can help explain why the assassination had such widespread consequences.

By considering these factors, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of why the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand sparked World War I.