with the Slavs in the southern part of their country, the Black Hand Name 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 in June, they knew The Black Hand 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 By Jane Runyon Serbia heard rumors of an attempt on the Archduke's life, but his warnings fell on deaf ears. This time, the attack was successful. officially began with the Archduke Ferdinand was dead. assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the An investigation pointed to the Black Hand as being responsible Austro-Hungarian throne. But who was for the assassination. The Austro-Hungarian government did not behind this assassination? And why did have the right to go into Serbia to find and question members of the they think it was important to kill Black Hand, so they asked the Serbian government to hand the someone? The answers to these questions suspects over to them. The Serbian government refused. Three days can be answered partially by learning later, Austro-Hungary declared war on Serbia. That was the about a secret society in Serbia called the beginning of World War I. Black Hand. During the first years of World War I, Serbia suffered great losses In May of 1911, a group of ten men at the hand of the Austro-Hungarians. The Prime Minister of Serbia met and formed the Black Hand Secret blamed the Black Hand Society for bringing this war onto the people Society. One of the leaders of this group was a high ranking official of Serbia. He officially disbanded the group. He also rounded up in the Serbian government. Others were members of the Serbian the leaders of the secret society and had them executed. By 1917, army. All of them had one main purpose in mind. Their goal was to there was no more Black Hand Society, but they had left their mark create a and to reach this goal by any means possible. on the entire world. They did not believe that this goal could be achieved by talking. They believed that the only way to unite all was through violence and destruction. They became a secret society of terrorists. The Black Hand

One of the first plots that the Black Hand created was to Questions 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 1. The Black Hand Society found its membership in governor with a poisoned dagger. This plot, also, was a failure. Austro-Hungary. A. False By 1914, the group of ten men had now grown to a group of B. True 2,500. Many of the members were also members of the Serbian army. Many more were lawyers, teachers, and newspapermen. 2. What was the purpose of the Black Hand Society? Because of the danger they faced if discovered by their own A. They wanted to defeat Germany. government that they were terrorists, it was important that each B. They wanted to take over Austro-Hungary. identity be kept a strict secret. They swore an oath upon joining the C. They wanted to unite the Serbs in an independent organization that the secrets they learned about the Serbian attempt country. at independence would be taken to the grave with them. D. They wanted to win World War I.

When the group heard that Archduke Ferdinand was collaborating 8. What happened to the leaders of the Black Hand Society after Name the war began? A. They were arrested and executed by their own country. B. They fought in the war and helped Serbia win. C. They fled to Germany. 3. How did the Black Hand Society plan to reach their goal? D. They were arrested and executed by Austro-Hungary. A. They asked for a mediator. B. They got themselves elected into office. C. They planned peace talks. What lengths would you go to in order to secure independence for D. They planned terrorist attacks. your country? 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. False B. True

6. How large was the Black Hand in 1914? A. 2,500 members B. 10 members C. 100 members D. 250 members 7. Why did Austro-Hungary declare war on Serbia? Name

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?