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Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
-Shot and killed by a Serbian nationalist part of the 'Black Hand' in Sarajevo, Bosnia along with his wife.
-The "Black Hand" was a group of army officers and government officials, it used terrorist methods promote the liberation of Serbs outside of Serbia. (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/archduke-franz-ferdinand-assassinated) -
Austrian reaction
The Austro-Hungarian government did not like the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, and used the excuse of this assassination to blame the Serbian government and resolve the Slav nationalism uncertainty. (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/archduke-franz-ferdinand-assassinated) -
Request for backup
Seeing that Russia was allied to Serbia, the Austro-Hungarian government sought for Germany's backup before declaring war on Serbia. (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/archduke-franz-ferdinand-assassinated)
An envoy was sent to Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany requesting support in the war against Serbia and Russia, Wilhelm promised to support the Austrians this promise is known as "The Blank Check" (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/archduke-franz-ferdinand-assassinated) -
The ultimatum
At 6:00 the ambassador of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to Serbia Baron Giesl von Gieslingem delivered an ultimatum to Serbia that would ultimately unleash the First World War.
The ultimatum stated that Serbia would have to allow an Austro-Hungarian inquiry in the assassination, suppress anti-Austrian propaganda and eliminate terrorist organizations in its country all to be accepted within 48 hours. (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/austria-hungary-issues-ultimatum-to-serbia) -
Serbian Response
When Serbia received the note they immediately turned to Russia for support. The Russian council met on the following day to discuss the situation and concluded they would organize military mobilization.
On the 25th Serbian Prime minister Nicola Pasic also mobilized military in case of Austro-Hungarian attack and delivered the response to the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador just before the deadline. (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/austria-hungary-issues-ultimatum-to-serbia) -
War is declared
Three days after receiving the response from Serbia and breaking its diplomatic relations with the country, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. -
Russia's reaction
After Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, Russia then proceeds to mobilize four military districts facing the common front with Austria-Hungary. (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/austria-hungary-declares-war-on-serbia) -
Germany's reaction
After Germany's request that Russia stops its military mobilization is denied, Germany declares war on Russia. France then proceeds to declare war on Germany to defend Russia on August 3rd. (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/austria-hungary-declares-war-on-serbia) -
Britain gets involved
Once Germany announced it would invade neutral Belgium in order to attack France, Britain then decided to enter the war and declare war on Germany as they had promised to protect Belgium under the Treaty of London of 1839. (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g2/backgroundcs1.htm)
