The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 had a profound impact on world politics, serving as the catalyst for World War I. This event ignited existing tensions among European powers, leading to the activation of a complex web of alliances and mobilizations. Following the assassination, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, which in turn elicited responses from Russia, Germany, and other nations. The conflict evolved into a global war that reshaped geopolitics, ultimately leading to the dissolution of empires and the redrawing of borders in Europe, contributing to the rise of new nations and setting the stage for future conflicts.