Franz Ferdinand was the nephew and heir-apparent to Emperor Franz Joseph I, a monarch who was known for being staunchly conservative and traditionalist, opposing change of any kind. Ferdinand however, held to a slightly more progressive view of how Austria-Hungary should function in the future. At that time, their were significant ethnic and groups aside from Austrians and Hungarians, and these minorities had no representation in the running of the country. Franz Ferdinand had a map drawn up to illustrate his ambitious goal: The United States of Great Austria, wherein the significant ethnic groups would be given their own province within the greater superstate with a stark resemblance to the United States Of America. | Franz Ferdinand was the nephew and heir-apparent to Emperor Franz Joseph I, a monarch who was known for being staunchly conservative and traditionalist, opposing change of any kind. Ferdinand however, held to a slightly more progressive view of how Austria-Hungary should function in the future. At that time, their were significant ethnic and groups aside from Austrians and Hungarians, and these minorities had no representation in the running of the country. Franz Ferdinand had a map drawn up to illustrate his ambitious goal: The United States of Great Austria, wherein the significant ethnic groups would be given their own province within the greater superstate with a stark resemblance to the United States Of America. |