WWI- Catalyst For War

Catalyst for War

the stage was set for a major war→all Europe needed was a spark

Assassination

-Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary (heir to the Austrian throne) was murdered on June 28, 1914

-Desire for Bosnia independence led Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand, to kill him

-The world was outraged by this

Austria-Hungary’s Response to the Assassination

-Austria-Hungary wanted to go after Serbia, but with Germany’s support

-Germany gave that support (Carte Blanche)→wanted Austria-Hungary to attack quickly so the assassination was still fresh

-Austria reacted slowly (one whole month later)→they delivered a deliberately unacceptable ultimatum to Serbia on July 24, 1914

Triple Ententes Response

-Russia (defender of the Slavs) felt it had to mobilize in order to aid the Slavic Serbs

-France gave Russia the same assurance Germany had given Austria

Mobilization

-Mobilizing armies at this time was a considered a virtual act of war

-Germany, feared Russia would have the advantage if they mobilized first, so Germany began to mobilize moments after Russia did

Ultimatum

Serbia did not agree to all the terms

WAR

July 28, 1914: Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

The Alliance System Brings Others Into The War

-Germany declares war on Russia August 1^st

-France declared war on Russia on August 3^rd

-Britain declared war on Germany on August 3^rd, after Belgium was invaded by Germany