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The Black Hand
By Jane Runyon
World War I officially began with the
assassination of Archduke Franz
Ferdinand, the heir to the
Austro-Hungarian throne. But who was
behind this assassination? And why did
they think it was important to kill
someone? The answers to these questions
can be answered partially by learning
about a secret society in Serbia called the
Black Hand.
In May of 1911, a group of ten men
met and formed the Black Hand Secret
Society. One of the leaders of this group was a high ranking official
in the Serbian government. Others were members of the Serbian
army. All of them had one main purpose in mind. Their goal was to
create a Greater Serbia and to reach this goal by any means possible.
They did not believe that this goal could be achieved by talking.
They believed that the only way to unite all Serbs was through
violence and destruction. They became a secret society of terrorists.
One of the first plots that the Black Hand created was to
assassinate the Emperor of Austro-Hungary, Franz Joseph. The
attempt failed. The group then decided to assassinate the Governor
of the Austrian provinces. They recruited a terrorist to stab the
governor with a poisoned dagger. This plot, also, was a failure.
By 1914, the group of ten men had now grown to a group of
2,500. Many of the members were also members of the Serbian
army. Many more were lawyers, teachers, and newspapermen.
Because of the danger they faced if discovered by their own
government that they were terrorists, it was important that each
identity be kept a strict secret. They swore an oath upon joining the
organization that the secrets they learned about the Serbian attempt
at independence would be taken to the grave with them.
When the group heard that Archduke Ferdinand was collaborating
with the Slavs in the southern part of their country, the Black Hand
knew it was time for another assassination attempt. If the Slavs
joined forces with the Austro-Hungarians, the chance for Serbian
independence would be lost. When the leaders of the group learned
that the Archduke was planning a trip to Sarajevo in June, they knew
it was the time to strike. Three members of the Black Hand were
sent to Sarajevo to make the planned attack. The prime minister of
Serbia heard rumors of an attempt on the Archduke's life, but his
warnings fell on deaf ears. This time, the attack was successful.
Archduke Ferdinand was dead.
An investigation pointed to the Black Hand as being responsible
for the assassination. The Austro-Hungarian government did not
have the right to go into Serbia to find and question members of the
Black Hand, so they asked the Serbian government to hand the
suspects over to them. The Serbian government refused. Three days
later, Austro-Hungary declared war on Serbia. That was the
beginning of World War I.
During the first years of World War I, Serbia suffered great losses
at the hand of the Austro-Hungarians. The Prime Minister of Serbia
blamed the Black Hand Society for bringing this war onto the people
of Serbia. He officially disbanded the group. He also rounded up
the leaders of the secret society and had them executed. By 1917,
there was no more Black Hand Society, but they had left their mark
on the entire world.
The Black Hand
Questions
1. The Black Hand Society found its membership in
Austro-Hungary.
A. True
B. False
2. What was the purpose of the Black Hand Society?
A. They wanted to take over Austro-Hungary.
B. They wanted to unite the Serbs in an independent
country.
C. They wanted to defeat Germany.
D. They wanted to win World War I.
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3. How did the Black Hand Society plan to reach their goal?
A. They got themselves elected into office.
B. They planned terrorist attacks.
C. They planned peace talks.
D. They asked for a mediator.
4. Why do you think it was important to keep the membership
secret?
5. The Black Hand failed in their attempt to assassinate the
Emperor of Austro-Hungary.
A. True
B. False
6. How large was the Black Hand in 1914?
A. 10 members
B. 250 members
C. 100 members
D. 2,500 members
7. Why did Austro-Hungary declare war on Serbia?
8. What happened to the leaders of the Black Hand Society after
the war began?
A. They were arrested and executed by Austro-Hungary.
B. They were arrested and executed by their own country.
C. They fled to Germany.
D. They fought in the war and helped Serbia win.
Have you ever been a member of a club? Did the club have a
purpose? Why would you want to keep your membership in a club a
secret?
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What lengths would you go to in order to secure independence for
your country?