Short-term causes of WW1

Question 1

When did Austria-Hungary formally declare war on Serbia?

Answer 1

28 July 1914

Question 2

When did Russia mobilize its army for a war?

Answer 2

30 July 1914

Question 3

When did both Germany and France mobilize their troops?

Answer 3

1 August

Question 4

When did Germany and Russia declare war against each other?

Answer 4

1 August

Question 5

When did Germany invade Belgium as a step towards invading northern France?

Answer 5

4 August

Question 6

When did Germany send a blank cheque to Austria-Hungary, guaranteeing its unconditional support

Answer 6

July 5 1914

Question 7

When did Austria-Hungary send an ultimatum to Serbia?

Answer 7

July 23, 1914

Question 8

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Answer 8

On 28 June 1914, a Bosnian Serb, Gavrilo Princip, from the secret Black Hand organization (also known as the Unification or Death movement) assassinated the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which Austria-Hungary had annexed in 1908.

Question 9

What was the effect of the assassination of Franz Ferdinand?

Answer 9

This incident, often regarded as the catalyst cause of the First World War, was followed by a month of deliberations and negotiations known as the July Crisis, which led to the outbreak of the First World War

Question 10

What motivated Austria-Hungary to act against Serbia?

Answer 10

• It was now in a stronger military position due to its alliance with Germany and Italy
• Serbia supported Slav nationalism and as Austria-Hungary had many Slavs, this was a threat to the unity of the empire
• As it was a political assassination, it led to Austria-Hungarian hopes that the international community would be sympathetic and refuse to side with Serbia

Question 11

What did Germany offer Austria-Hungary on July 5th

Answer 11

• A ‘blank cheque’- guaranteeing its full support in the event of war
• Germany encouraged AH to take whatever action necessary to resolve the crisis

Question 12

What did AH send to the Serbian government on the 23rd of July?

Answer 12

• An ultimatum, including a demand that AH lead the investigation into the assassination.
• This would involve Serbia allowing Habsburg officials onto Serbian territory to investigate the assassination
• Serbia was given 48 hours to accept all terms of the ultimatum

Question 13

How did Russia react to Austria-Hungary’s ultimatum?

Answer 13

• They condemned it but refused to support Serbia militarily at this port
• However, after Austria-Hungary mobilized its army, Russia officially offered support to Serbia, as a fellow Slav state was being threatened. Russian prestige in the Balkans was at stake

Question 14

How did Serbia react to Austria-Hungary’s ultimatum?

Answer 14

• Serbia refused to have Austria-Hungary involved in the investigation but accepted all other ultimatum terms.
• Since Serbia did not unconditionally accept all terms, Austria broke off diplomatic relations with Serbia and mobilized its army.

Question 15

International reactions to the ultimatum and Austria-Hungary’s subsequent mobilization of its army

Answer 15

• Realizing the seriousness of the situation, on 27 July, Britain sent a series of appeals to Germany to attend an international conference to attempt to resolve the crisis. France, Italy, and Russia all agreed to attend. Germany and Austria-Hungary rejected these diplomatic appeals.
• Britain, France, Italy, and Russia agreed to attend a conference for resolution; Germany refused.

Question 16

What did Germany do once war was certain?

Answer 16

• The German government urged Austria-Hungary to only occupy the Serbian capital, which was just across the border from Austria-Hungary, to limit the war and keep other states from joining the conflict.
• Austria-Hungary ignored this request.