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The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand occurred in Sarajevo when the Archduke was visiting the city. The Black Hand, however, were prepared for his arrival and plotted to murder him. His death came from the hands of Gavrilo Princip who shot both him and his wife when their chauffeur had taken a wrong turn and stopped right next to the young Serb who would later try to commit suicide but fail and be sentenced to serve 20 years in prison. -
Germany agrees to Support Austria-Hungary
Germany and Austria-Hungary agree to attack Serbia to preserve the Monarchy but also for them to take over the Balkans and have the ability to grow economically and become the strongest Powers. -
Austria-Hungary Presents Serbia with an Unconditional Ultimatum
Austria-Hungary presented Serbia with a list of demands which included the suppression of anti-Austrian publications and organisations, the arrest of Serbian officials who were involved in the plot to assassinate the Archduke and the involvement of Serbia in an enquiry into the assassination. -
Serbia agrees to the demands in Austria-Hungary's Ultimatum
Serbia agreed to all the demands, except for the one that would allow Austria-Hungary to place officials in Serbia that would make certain all traces of the Black Hand had been wiped out, this would also lead to Serbia losing their independence. -
Russia Promises to Help Serbia
Russia promises to help Serbia if a war were to break out and send their troops to fend off the Austro-Hungarians. -
World War I
After not having all their demands met, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia at 11:00 a.m. They began shelling Belgrade (Capital of Serbia) with cannons in Bosnia. -
Russia Begins to Mobilize Troops
Russia, that was a supporter of Serbia and the Slave people begin to mobilise their troops to prevent Austria-Hungary from dominating the Balkans and hold access to the Mediterranean Sea. -
Germany warns France not to intervene
Germany warning France not to intervene could be seen as a form of fear since they would be surrounded from the East by Russia, West by France and North by Great Britain if they were to join, not to forget that they would have to assist their Austro-Hungarian Allies down south to fend off Serbian aggression. -
Germany Declares War on Russia
On 30 July 1914, Kaiser Wilhelm II issues an ultimatum to Tsar Nicholas to order his troops to stop mobilising. This would mainly factor that Russia would be a massive problem if they were to get involved in Germany's plans to use the Balkans to their advantage. However, Tsar Nicholas rejects the ultimatum and so Germany declares war on Russia, and since France was allied with Russia, they would also start to mobilise their troops. -
Germany Initiates the Schlieffen Plan
Germany's Schlieffen Plan was the strategy to occupy France and Belgium. At 7:00 pm (local time) Germany issued a 12-hour ultimatum to neutral Belgium to allow German passage into France. -
Germany forms a Secret Alliance with the Ottoman Empire
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Germany Declares War on Belgium and France
King Albert of Belgium refused the German request to violate his country's neutrality, resulting in Germany declaring war on Belgium and on France. -
Great Britain Declares War on Germany
Great Britain declares war on Germany due to them violating the Treaty of London and attacking Belgium. This could also be a way of Britain participating in the war to challenge Germany's economic power. -
All out War between the Triple Entente and Triple Alliance
Both Alliances, The Triple Entente (Russia, Great Britain, and France) and The Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy) are at war.
