Williamson

Question 1

In the 1914 Crisis, which Serbian leaders were the major actors?

Answer 1

Prime Minister Nikola Pasic and Chief of Serbia Military Intelligence Colonel Dragutin Dimitrijevic

Question 2

What was Dragutin Dimitrijevic’s nickname?

Answer 2

Apis

Question 3

In the 1914 Crisis, who were the major actors for Austria-Hungary?

Answer 3

Foreign Minister Count Leopold Berchtold and Chief of General Staff Franz Conrad von Hotzendorf

Question 4

In the 1914 Crisis, who were the major actors for Germany?

Answer 4

Chancellor Theobold von Bethmann Hollweg and Chief of the Prussian General Staff General Helmuth von Moltke

Question 5

In the 1914 Crisis, who were the major actors for Russia?

Answer 5

Foreign Minister Serge Sazonov and War Minister General V.A. Sukhomlinov

Question 6

Who was Archduke Franz Ferdinand?

Answer 6

the heir to the Habsburg monarchy

Question 7

Who killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand and when and how did that happen?

Answer 7

Bosnian Serb Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie Sarajevo on June 28, 1914 in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, by firing two shots into the open touring car that carried the Archduke and his wife.

Question 8

What nations were members of the Triple Alliance?

Answer 8

Austria-Hungary, Germany and Italy

Question 9

Who were the members of the Triple Entente?

Answer 9

Russia, Great Britain, and France

Question 10

When did Austria-Hungary annex Bosnia?

Answer 10

1908

Question 11

What were the Balkan Wars?

Answer 11

Two conflicts in 1912 and 1913; in the first, Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, and Montenegro fought the Ottoman empire; in the second, Serbia, Romania, Greece and Montinego fought Bulgaria to adjust the outcome of the First conflict. The 1912 wars were fought to end Ottoman rule of people from Balkan countries, adjust territories, and to create alliances.

Question 12

What was the Balkan League and which nations were its members?

Answer 12

The Balkan League was a quadruple alliance formed by the Eastern Orthodox kingdoms of Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, and Montenegro; it was formed to oppose the Ottoman Empire

Question 13

How did Serbia benefit from the Balkan Wars?

Answer 13

It nearly doubled its land and population, which increased its military confidence.

Question 14

Who was the monarch of Austria-Hungary in 1914?

Answer 14

Emperor Franz Joseph

Question 15

What does “Apis” mean and why was it Dragutin Dmitrejevic’s nickname?

Answer 15

Apis means “bull” and it fit Dmitrejevic’ becasue of his sturdy appearance

Question 16

What was the Conspirator’s Oath?

Answer 16

An oath written by Dmitrejevic in 1902 for the conspirators in the plot to murder King Alexander of Serbia and his lover, Draga Maslin. They carried out the plot in 1903.

Question 17

What is Dragutin Dmitrejevic’ known for?

Answer 17

He organized the 1914 plot to assassinate Archduke Ferdinand by using the Black Hand to provide Gavrilo Princip and his conspirators with passage, weapons, and funding.

Question 18

What was the Black Hand?

Answer 18

A covert organization within the Serbian military organization aimed at Serbian nationalism.

Question 19

What was the Oath of the Black Hand? When was it written?

Answer 19

An oath in which members of the Black Hand pledged to use any means to advance Serbia dominance in the Balkans; it was written in 1911.

Question 20

Who was Prime Minister Nikola Pasic?

Answer 20

The 69 year old Prime Minister of Serbia in 1914; he aimed to transform Serbia into a democratic, constitutional system

Question 21

Did Pasic know about the plot to assassinate Archduke Franz Ferdinand?

Answer 21

Yes; he also attempted to warn Vienna of the plot, but his warning was so vague that Vienna did not follow up

Question 22

What issues did Pasic face after the assassination of Franz Ferdinand?

Answer 22

1. how to soften Austria-Hungary’s anger over conceal Apis’ involvement in the plot;
2. how to conceal his knowledge of Apis’ involvement in the plot;
3. how to secure foreign assistance, if needed;
4. how to defend Serbian sovereignty and prevent Apis and others from retaliating against the civilian government

Question 23

Did the Serbian press express regret about the Archduke’s assassination?

Answer 23

No

Question 24

What did Pasic do in response to the crisis?

Answer 24

He sent dispatches to Serbian missions that made him appear flexible, conceded nothing, and hoped that the Great powers might defer the crisis.

Question 25

Did Austria Hungary know about the Black Hand?

Answer 25

Austria-Hungary had significant background intelligence about a serious power struggle in Serbia, but its ultimatum mentioned Naroda Odbrana, and not the Black Hand; it also mentioned specific individuals, but not Apis.

Question 26

To what nation did Serbia go for support in the event of a military conflict with Austria-Hungary?

Answer 26

Russia

Question 27

How did Austria-Hungary respond to the assassination of Franz Ferdinand

Answer 27

On July 23, 1914, Austria-Hungary presented Serbia with a diplomatic note requiring it to express contrition for its failures to be neighborly and to agree to ten demands aimed at justice for Franz Ferdinand, ending Serbian hostilities to Austria-Hungary, and giving Austria-Hungary the right to participate in Serbia’s compliance with those demands.

Question 28

Did Serbia comply with Austria-Hungary’s ultimatum?

Answer 28

No; On July 25, 1914 Serbia agreed to some, but not all of Austria-Hungary’s demands; it did not agree to the demands that violated Serbia’s sovereignty

Question 29

How did Austria-Hungary respond to Serbia’s refusal of the ultimatum?

Answer 29

Its Foreign Minister immediately left Belgrade, it mobilized for war on June 25, 1914, and declared war on July 25, 1914, and declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914 - one month after the assassination of the Archduke.

Question 30

Who was on a yacht while Austria-Hungary planned its attack on Serbia?

Answer 30

Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany was on the royal yacht and unable to be reached during the three days preceding Austria-Hungary’s declaration of war on Serbia

Question 31

Who was Leopold Berchtold?

Answer 31

The Foreign Minister of Austria-Hungary in 1914

Question 32

Who was Franz Conrad von Hotzendorf?

Answer 32

The Chief of the General Staff of Austria-Hungary in 1914

Question 33

How was the Austro-Hungarian empire structured in 1914?

Answer 33

It consisted of two virtually independent governments with a common monarch, a common foreign policy, and a common military structure.

Question 34

How were decisions about going to war handled by the Austo-Hungarian Empire?

Answer 34

Each of Vienna and Budapest had a veto over war/peace

Question 35

What demands repeatedly threatened to tear the Austro-Hungarian empire apart?

Answer 35

The demands of eleven disparate nationalities in territories that populated the third largest empire in Europe; those nationalities included Magyars (native Hungarians), Romanians, Croats and other South Slavs in Hungary and German Austrians in Austria.

Question 36

What cultural, religious and ethnic groups lived in Bosnia when it was annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908?

Answer 36

Roman Catholic Croats, Muslims, and Orthodox Serbs, among others.

Question 37

What nations other than Serbia also presented issues for Austria-Hungary in 1914?

Answer 37

Romania, Serbia, Russia, and Italy

Question 38

What was Franz Conrad von Hotzendorf an advocate of?

Answer 38

He was an advocate of war in 1914

Question 39

Who wrote love letter during the crisis of 1914?

Answer 39

Franz Conrad von Hotzendorf, Chief of the General Staff of Austria Hungary wrote love letters to Gina von Reininghaus

Question 40

Who was Gina von Reininghaus?

Answer 40

A 28 year old married woman and the mother of six children.

Question 41

Did Franz Conrad even marry?

Answer 41

Yes, he married twice. His first wife died. in 1905. He married Gina von Reininghaus in 1915 after she secured a divorce.

Question 42

How did Europe react to Austria-Hungary’s decision to annex Bosnia in 1908?

Answer 42

It provoked an international crisis in 1908-09; Britain and France made it clear that that neither would fight to undo Austria’s actions, even though it meant humiliation for Russia, and its client, Serbia.

Question 43

What did Conrad Von Hotzendorf want to do after Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia?

Answer 43

Even though Russia was Conrad’s preferred target, Conrad Von Hotzendorf wanted to attack Serbia while Russia, which was still recovering from its defeat by Japan in 1905 could not help, but his advocacy failed.

Question 44

What was Leopold Berchtold’s background?

Answer 44

Berchtold was an aristocrat with enormous land holdings in Austria and Hungary; those were increased through his marriage.

Question 45

What roles did Leopold Berchtold hold prior to becoming Habsburg’s foreign minister and de facto chancellor of the empire?

Answer 45

Prior to becoming foreign minister, Berchtold entered the Habsburg bureaucracy in the late 1880s, transferred to the foreign service in 1893 and served in London and other locations; in 1905, he became the A-H ambassador to Russia, arguably A-H’s the second most important diplomatic post; he stayed in St. Petersburg until 191, when he returned to his estates; Emperor Franz Joseph summoned him in 1912 to become Austria-Hungary’s foreign minister.

Question 46

What was one of the first things Berchtold did as Foreign Affairs Minister?

Answer 46

He negotiated an increase in the size of the Hapsburg standing army prior to the start of the First Balkan War.

Question 47

What did Berchtold do in 1912 to prevent Serbian access to the sea?

Answer 47

He created an independent Albanian state.

Question 48

Who led the Balkan League?

Answer 48

Serbia

Question 49

What nation sponsored the Balkan League?

Answer 49

Russia

Question 50

What happened to Franz Conrad von Hotzendorf during the Balkan Wars?

Answer 50

He was recalled as Chief of the General Staff in December 1912, in response to an increase in Austro-Russian tension caused by the tens of thousands of Russian troops on duty along the Hapsburg frontier, which forced Vienna to make countermobilization moves.

Question 51

What did Franz Joseph and Franz Ferdinand hope to gain in recalling Conrad?

Answer 51

They aimed to put a more experienced general in place in case a war broke out and to shift the focus to a diplomatic solution to issues, rather than military confrontation.

Question 52

How did the First Balkan War end?

Answer 52

With an ultimatum that Montenegro responded to by retreating

Question 53

Did Austria-Hungary join the Second Balkan War?

Answer 53

No.

Question 54

Why did Franz Ferdinand and Conrad von Hotzendorf nearly part company?

Answer 54

They nearly parted company over a spy scandal involving Colonel Alfred Redl, the former head of Austrian counterintelligence; Redl had been betraying plans to St. Petersburg since at least 1906. In 1911, the Russians discovered Redl’s homosexual behavior, and blackmailed him. When Conrad discovered Redl’s betrayal, he allowed (or persuaded ) Redl to commit suicide, which offended the Catholic Franz Ferdinand.

Question 55

How did the Conrad’s handling of Redl affect Austria-Hungary’s response to the Second Balkan War?

Answer 55

Franz Ferdinand ignored Conrad’s calls for involvement by Austria-Hungary.

Question 56

What five developments of the Balkan Wars negatively impacted Austria-Hungary?

Answer 56

(1) Serbia doubled in size and population; (2) Montenegro and Serbia talked about a possible union that would give Belgrade access to the sea;
(3) Vienna’s frictions with its Italian ally had increased as each ally clamored for position in Albania;
(4) Romania, a secret partner with the Triple Alliance since 1883, seemed to be drifting toward the Triple Entente; and
(5) Germany repeatedly demanded that Vienna and Belgrade reach an entente.

Question 57

What betrayed a sense of desperation in Vienna by June, 1914?

Answer 57

Berchtold prepared a major policy memorandum in June 1914 which had an urgency of tone, but that did not recommend military action; it was motivated by his belief that Vienna should try to recapture the Balkan initiative and isolate Serbia.

Question 58

Who was at the center of Apis’ intelligence network?

Answer 58

Rade Malbabic, an idealistic and zealous Serbian agent who established procedures to move students and agents in and out of Bosnia while he visited Hapsburg military installations; he used members of both the Black Hand and the Narodina Odbrana for these activities

Question 59

Who did Berchtold and his wife visit on June 14, 1914, two weeks before the assassination of Franz Ferdinand?

Answer 59

Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie at the archduke’s Bohemian estate at Konopischt.

Question 60

When Conrad went to talk to Franz Joseph on July 5, 1914, what did Franz Joseph ask him?

Answer 60

Do we want a war, especially if it is against Russia? and Do we have our flank covered by Germany?

Question 61

How many war plans did Conrad develop?

Answer 61

Three Plans:
Plan 1 - attack A-H’s ally, Italy;
Plan B (Balkan) - 8 divisions defend against Serbia
Plan R - was a two-pronged offensive operation against Russia

Question 62

If Franz Ferdinand had lived, would Conrad have retained his post?

Answer 62

Probably not, because Franz Ferdinad did not approve of how Conrad handled Redl

Question 63

Who wrote the Conspirator’s Oath?

Answer 63

Apis

Question 64

Did Apis write the Oath of the Black Hand?

Answer 64

Apis is not credited with the Oath of the Black Hand

Question 65

By July 6, 1914, Conrad realized that he could not launch an immediate attack on Serbia. Why couldn’t he do that?

Answer 65

Two reasons:
Large numbers of Hapsburg troops were on harvest leave; bringing them back early would:
1.disrupt the harvest
2.alert Europe to A-H’s intentions

Question 66

Did Kaiser Wilhelm II agree to Hapsburg action against Serbia?

Answer 66

Yes, he agreed on July 5, 1914

Question 67

What was Kaiser Wilhelm II’s only reservation involved in A-H’s decision to attack Serbia?

Answer 67

Kaiser Wilhelm’s reservation was the need to consult with German Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg; that step was taken on July 6, 1914.

He recognized the risk of Russia’s involvement, but was willing to take that risk.

Question 68

Who chaired the Common Ministerial Council of July 7, 1914?

Answer 68

Leopold Berchtold chaired the lengthy sessions, which were attended by all the senior officials of A-H, except Franz Joseph

Question 69

Did the Common Ministerial Counsel of July 7, 1914 recognize that an armed Serbian conflict could mean war with Russia?

Answer 69

Yes, and that is recorded in the minutes of the Council’s meeting; they believed that a Serbian conflict would serve as a show of strength against the Balkan States and Russia, and would stop the progress of any alliance between Russia and the Balkan States

Question 70

What did the Council hope to achieve with the ultimatum?

Answer 70

If Serbia accepted the ultimatum, A-H would achieve a diplomatic success, and its prestige would rise in the Balkans; if the demands were not met, A-H would take military action

Question 71

What happened at the Common Ministerial Counsel of July 7, 1914 meeting?

Answer 71

The Council decided to formulate unconditional demands against Serbia and give an ultimatum if Serbia did not fulfill them

Question 72

What did Berchtold emphasize in advocating for the Ultimatum?

Answer 72

That A-H must only reduce Serbia, but not annihilate her, to avoid a “life and Death” struggle with Russia

Question 73

Who believed a diplomatic success would have no value?

Answer 73

War Minister Krobatin, who believed that it would be more favorable to have a war sooner rather than later

Question 74

What did the Council conclude?

Answer 74

The Council concluded that the ultimatum delivered to Serbia had to make the most far-reaching demands of Serbia to assure a rejection and open the way to a military attack

Question 75

Who was the one minister at the Council meeting that expressed reservations about taking military action against Serbia?

Answer 75

Minister Tisza of Hungary

Question 76

Who were the members of the Council? How may were diplomatic leaders? How many were Military Leaders? How many represented the Hapsburgs? How many represented Hungary?

Answer 76

There were 8 members:Three were diplomatic; five were military leaders; 7 represented the Hapsburg Empire; 1 represented Hungary, which had veto power

Austrian Premier Count Sturgh, Hungarian Premier Count Tisza, Common Finance Minister Bilinski, Common Minister of War Krobatin, Chief of the General Staff Conrad, the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear-Admiral von Kailer, and Count Berchtold (chair)

Question 77

What is the main theme of Williamson and Van Wyk’s July 1914 book?

Answer 77

The main theme is that it the leaders of European nations, and their individual decisions, significantly contributed to WWI; this differs from other scholarship which idenifies systemic causes, such as the alliance system, nationalism and militarism, military conflicts, and imperialism.