The historical events that led to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand include rising nationalism, militarism, and the complex web of alliances in early 20th-century Europe. The immediate catalyst was the assassination by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the nationalist group known as the Black Hand, in Sarajevo in June 1914. This event set off a chain reaction, prompting Austria-Hungary to issue an ultimatum to Serbia, which ultimately led to the outbreak of World War I due to the existing alliances and tensions among major powers.