What was the significance of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand in relation to World War I?

Question

anonymous · Answer

It prompted a domino effect of alliances to trigger all across Europe as everyone went to war. Austria Hungary declared war on Serbia, Serbia's alliance with Russia went into effect prompting Russia to prepare. Germany, allied with Austria-Hungary, declared war on Russia. France, allied to Russia, found itself at war with Germany and Austria-Hungary. The UK, allied to France, declared war on Germany over Belgium.