How did the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand affect Franz Joseph’s decisions in 1914?

Following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914, Franz Joseph initially viewed the tragedy as a form of divine retribution, largely due to his long-standing disapproval of the Archduke’s morganatic marriage.1

Despite his previous commitment to a peace policy and his resistance to the preventive war advocated by his chief of staff, Conrad von Hötzendorf, the Emperor’s stance shifted in the weeks following the assassination. Influenced by his foreign minister, Leopold, Count von Berchtold, and the desire for a final reckoning with the perceived threat from Serbia, Franz Joseph was persuaded to authorize an intransigent ultimatum.23

Although the ultimatum was designed to be unacceptable to the Serbian government, Franz Joseph ultimately signed the declaration of war on July 28, 1914, after being convinced by Berchtold that such a move was necessary to establish a fait accompli and prevent the Triple Entente from forcing a peaceful settlement. This decision effectively committed Austria-Hungary to the conflict that became World War I.3452