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Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand (heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne) is assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia. He is assassinated by a Bosnian Serb. His wife Duchess Sofia is also killed. -
Austria-Hungary gathers an alliance
Austria-Hungary seeks German support for a war against Serbia. Austria-Hungary seeks German support in case Russia gets involved. Germany assures Austria-Hungary of their support. -
Austria-Hungary sends Serbia an ultimatum
Austria-Hungary sends Serbia a list of 10 demands as a result of Ferdinand's death. Serbia accepts 9 of the demands. Serbia did not accept the 6th demand which was to allow Austro-Hungarian police into Serbia. Austria-Hungary sees this as unsatisfactory. -
War is declared
Austria-Hungary declares War on Serbia. Russia mobilizes. -
Tensions increase
Germany warns Russia to stop mobilizing. Russia says mobilization is against Austria-Hungary only, -
Countries prepare
Germany declares war on Russia. Germany and the Ottoman Empire sign a secret alliance treaty, Italy declares that they are neutral. -
Action begins
First military action begins on the western front. Germany invades Luxembourg, -
Germany tries to take over
Germany declares war on France. Belgium protects France by not allowing the German military through the French border. -
The UK gets involved
Germany invades Belgium. The United Kingdom declares war on Germany because of the invasion of Belgium. -
The big countires declare war
Serbia declares war on Germany. Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia, -
France declares war on Austria-Hungary
France declares war on Austria-Hungary. -
Austria-Hungary takes another hit
The United Kingdom declares war on Austria-Hungary.