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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand Assassination of the ArchdukeArchduke Franz Ferdinand, the nephew of Emperor Franz Josef and heir to the Austro-Hungarian empire, was shot to death along with his wife in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, were touring Sarajevo in an open car, with little security, when a Serbian Nationalist threw a bomb at their car, but it rolled off the back and wounded only bystanders. Later that day, 19-year-old Gavrilo Princip saw Ferdinand and Wife in a car and shot them at point-blank range. -
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Events Leading up to World War I
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Austria-Hungary delivers an ultimatum to Serbia
23 July 1914Austria-Hungary determined that the proper response to the assassinations was to prepare for a military invasion of Serbia. After securing the unconditional support of Germany, Austria-Hungary presented Serbia with demands that all anti-Austrian propaganda within Serbia be suppressed, and that Austria-Hungary be allowed to conduct its own investigation into the archduke’s killing. -
Austria-Hungary breaks relations with Serbia
The July Crisis Even though Serbia accepted all of Austria’s demands expect one, the Austrian government broke diplomatic relations with the other country on July 25. -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
1914 Austria Hungary Declares War Against Serbia 28 July 1914After a conclusive decision was reached, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. They were receiving pressure from Germany for quick action, apart from Kaiser Wilhelm II, who by some accounts still saw the possibility of a peaceful diplomatic resolution to the conflict. -
Due to alliance, Russia mobilizes to support Serbia
29 July 1914In response, Russia formally ordered mobilization in the four military districts facing Galicia, its common front with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. That night, Austrian artillery divisions initiated a brief, ineffectual bombardment of Belgrade across the Danube River. -
Germany declares war on Russia
1 August 1914With the declaration, the peace in Europe’s great powers was shattered; Germany warned Russia that the continuation of mobilization against Austria-Hungary would mean war with Germany. While insisting to halt mobilization, Germany began its own mobilization when the Russians refused their demands. Also on August 1st, Italy declared its neutrality; and the German and Ottoman Empire sign a secret alliance treaty. -
Germany declares war on France
3 August 1914 Germany declares war on France, moving ahead with the long-held strategy for a two-front war against France and Russia. Hours later, France makes it ow declaration of war against Germany, readying its troops to move into the provinces. -
Great Britain declares war on Germany
British Declaration of War Germany did not withdraw from Belgium, as guaranteed in a treaty, causing Britain to declare war on Germany. As a part of the British Empire, Canada is automatically at war too. -
U.S. proclaims neutrality
4 August 1914President Woodrow Wilson formally proclaimed neutrality of the United States, a position that many Americans favored. Wilson’s hope was that America could be “impartial in thought as well”, but that was soon compromised by Germany’s attempted quarantine of the British Isles. Britain was one of America’s closest trading partners, and tension arose between the U.S. and Germany when several U.S. ships traveling to Britain were damaged or sunk by German mines. -
First Battle of World War I
WW1 Combat in Color5 August 1914German army launched its assault on the city of Liege in Belgium, violating the latter country’s neutrality and beginning the first battle of World War I. -
Serbia declares war on Germany
Serbia declares war on GermanySerbia declared war on Germany on August 6, in response to Germany declaring war on Serbia’s allies, France and Russia. -
Austria- Hungary declares war on Russia
Who declared War and WhenBelgium sent a message to Germany requiring assurances that their decision to not participate in the war would be a respected decision. The response was a rejection to their offer and a war was still declared. Belgium said that if they had had more time, more knowledge and more patience on the other side than they would have been saved the greatest disaster known by anyone living. -
France and Britain declare war on Austria- Hungry
Who declared war and whenEarly on the morning of August 12th German reached Haelen where a force of Belgian was protecting the bridge. The Germans launched a series of attacks on the bridge that started at 8am and did not end until 6pm but were still unable to move the Belgians. Finally, Marwitz, German commander, was forced to withdraw. The battle of Haelan was portrayed as a major victory but on August 16th the Germans continued to advance through Belgium.
