World War I, also known as the Great War, has been one of the most influential conflicts in history due to the alliances formed that have shaped the global community of nations, but what caused the beginning of WWI? The major influences on the commencement of WWI were the relationships between European countries that led to the assassination of Franz Ferdinand and the first declaration of war on Serbia by Austria-Hungary, and the joining by Italy, Germany, Russia, France, Britain and their respective allies.
The assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Gavrilo Princip took place in a visit to Sarajevo, Bosnia in June 28, 1914 under the leadership of the Serbian Nationalist movement. The assassination group “The Black Hand”, composed …show more content…
Which is why, on July 20, 1914, Austria produced an ultimatum that was designed to be nearly impossible to accept; they were looking for a war after all . The Serbians would have 48 hours to reply, beginning on July 23, 1914. Word of the Austrian ultimatum reached Russia and they set up a policy that prohibited Austria to attack Serbia and the Austrian government assured that would not be the case. However, Russia decided it was better to be prepared to go to war if such circumstances occurred, which is why on the 25th of July, 1914, Russia issued mobilization orders . That same day, the French got involved and declared support to Russia and Serbia, and so the Serbian government replied to the ultimatum. As a result of Serbia denying the request that gave Austria permission to conduct a semi-judicial investigation on Serbian territory, the Austrian Ambassador at Belgrade immediately left the country and Conrad began the mobilization …show more content…
Without much surprise, Germany followed behind Austria and denied the request as well. As a result, the French issued mobilization orders on July 27, which was the day when the Royal Navy returned to harbor and set up stations not allowed to disband. As for the British, Sir Edward Grey offered Russia full diplomatic support after the rejection of the conference. The following day, 1 month after the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, on July 28, 1914, Austria declared war on Serbia . The next day, Austrian military forces bombard the capital of Serbia, however the Austrians were nowhere near ready to commence battles only 24 hours after the declaration of war . Not even the Germany’s Kaiser approved of such event, as he had stated the ultimatum had removed all cause of war, since the Serbians had agreed to all but one of their requests. But that was far too late now, the tensions were already on the move. Which is why, seeing it was too late to turn back, Germany urged Austria to invade and occupy Belgrade and commence discussions again . German Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg offered Britain a guarantee that if Germany won the war, they would not retain French or Belgian territory, which gave away the German war plan in vain, since the British rejected the offer . Backing up the
The assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Gavrilo Princip took place in a visit to Sarajevo, Bosnia in June 28, 1914 under the leadership of the Serbian Nationalist movement. The assassination group “The Black Hand”, composed …show more content…
Which is why, on July 20, 1914, Austria produced an ultimatum that was designed to be nearly impossible to accept; they were looking for a war after all . The Serbians would have 48 hours to reply, beginning on July 23, 1914. Word of the Austrian ultimatum reached Russia and they set up a policy that prohibited Austria to attack Serbia and the Austrian government assured that would not be the case. However, Russia decided it was better to be prepared to go to war if such circumstances occurred, which is why on the 25th of July, 1914, Russia issued mobilization orders . That same day, the French got involved and declared support to Russia and Serbia, and so the Serbian government replied to the ultimatum. As a result of Serbia denying the request that gave Austria permission to conduct a semi-judicial investigation on Serbian territory, the Austrian Ambassador at Belgrade immediately left the country and Conrad began the mobilization …show more content…
Without much surprise, Germany followed behind Austria and denied the request as well. As a result, the French issued mobilization orders on July 27, which was the day when the Royal Navy returned to harbor and set up stations not allowed to disband. As for the British, Sir Edward Grey offered Russia full diplomatic support after the rejection of the conference. The following day, 1 month after the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, on July 28, 1914, Austria declared war on Serbia . The next day, Austrian military forces bombard the capital of Serbia, however the Austrians were nowhere near ready to commence battles only 24 hours after the declaration of war . Not even the Germany’s Kaiser approved of such event, as he had stated the ultimatum had removed all cause of war, since the Serbians had agreed to all but one of their requests. But that was far too late now, the tensions were already on the move. Which is why, seeing it was too late to turn back, Germany urged Austria to invade and occupy Belgrade and commence discussions again . German Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg offered Britain a guarantee that if Germany won the war, they would not retain French or Belgian territory, which gave away the German war plan in vain, since the British rejected the offer . Backing up the