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Assassination
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife Sophia were assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a teenage Bosnian student who was also a member of a group known as "Black Hand." -
Responses of the European countries prior to the Assassination
The Serbian Prime Minister, in response, after finding out about the assassination, renounces the Black Hand and announces that all public meeting places must be closed for the time being. The Austrian foreign minister suggested that military action should be involved in this conflict. The Austrians came to an agreement that before they take any serious action, they should wait until July 23 for the French to return home. The Czar of Russia orders a twelve-day mourning. -
The Letter
Franz Joseph and Berchtold wrote a letter meant for the Kaiser in support of actions Austrian Hungary would take against Serbia. The letter was first written with moderation, though Hoyos interprets the letter with hostility. The Kaiser agrees to the letter in support of Austria-Hungary’s actions. -
Blank cheque
The Kaiser of Germany, Wilhelm II, offers a pledge to Austria, known as the "blank cheque," to show his country's support of actions Austria chooses to take against Serbia. In Bosnia, all but one of the assassins linked to Franz Ferdinand and his wife's murder have been arrested. -
Quote
“Russia is in no way prepared for war” (Kaiser Wilhelm II) -
Austrian-Hungarian Ministerial Council Meeting
A meeting occurs within the Austrian-Hungarian Ministerial Council and the meeting is held in order to discuss the implications of the “blank cheque”, and that kind of actions will be taken against Serbia. The Hungarian Prime Minister says these plans should be reserved. -
The Fabricated Telegram
In Berlin, Szogyeny, an Austro-Hungarian diplomat, sends a telegram to the Austrian and Hungarian prime ministers saying, "The Kaiser would deplore our not taking advantage of the present moment which is favorable to us." Although the Hoyos, the ones who prepared this statement, fabricated it, causing suspension between the Kaiser and Conard’s cause, Leopold Berchtold suggested Serbia be invaded and Prime Minister Tiza be moved to the war camp. -
Quote
"It would be a good thing if you and the War Minister would go on leave for awhile so as to keep up an appearance that nothing is going on” (Count Leopold von Berchtold (Austrian Foreign Minister) to General Conrad von Hötzendorff (Austrian army Chief or Staff)) -
Super-Ultimatum
The Austrians have a meeting to discuss and formulate their strategy against Serbia, and a non-ultimatum super-ultimatum will be used. A super-ultimatum will be produced to make a refusal. -
Wienser Sent To Sarajevo and Russian Minister Drops Dead
Leopold Berchtold sends away Friedrich von Wienser to Sarajevo in order for him to do a report on the assassination inquest’s findings. Russian minister to Serbia, Nicholas Hartwig suddenly drops dead while visting the Austrian Minister, Wladimir Giesl von Gieslingen in Belgrade. -
Wiesner's findings
In Sarajevo, Dr. Friedrich von Wiesner delivers a report to Vienna of the findings of the assassination inquest, showing that nothing has been found to prove that the Serbian government was aware of the assassin plot planned by the Black Hand. Although Leopold Berchtold kept the findings away from Franz Joseph. -
Quote
“The note is being composed so that the possibility of its acceptance is practically excluded” (German Ambassador to Vienna, Count Heinrich von Tschirschky, to German Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg) -
Berchtold's scheme
Berchtold told a lie to the Hungarian Prime Minister, Istvan Tisza, promising that no territorial demands would be placed against Serbia, though plans have already been put in place to split Serbia. Before this, Tisza had written letters to Franz Joseph begging for mercy in dealing with Serbia, but Berchtold cut off the letters. -
Austria's invasion
Austria is planning to invade Serbia, and the Italian and Russian ambassadors give the Russian government in St. Petersburg a warning that an invasion of Serbia is happening. The words of the Austrian invasion spread to the diplomatic circuit, and the British became aware of what was happening. -
British Ambassador and Austin-Hungarian Foreign Minister Meets
Leopold Berchtold vists the British Ambassador, Sir Maurice de Bunsen, and the ambassador notice and takes notes that Berchtold “was unusually chatty and agreeable.” -
Austria's mobilization
The Austrian Ministerial had a secret meeting, and the outcome of that meeting was decided that Conzard would be given his chance for Serbia to be "beaten to earth." An ultimatum to Serbia is also drafted, and Austrian forces secretly begin to mobilize. -
Drafted Ultimatum Delivered
The drafted ultimatum is sent to Bad Ischl and Franz Joseph gets a chance to take a look at the “jewel.” -
Final Approval
The Austrian foreign minister, Leopold Berchtold, came for a visit to the Emperor of Austria, Franz Joseph, in order to convince him to give final approval to the ultimatum, which he did. A warning from the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Sazonov, delivered to the German Ambassador, Count Friedrich von Pourtales, states that Russia will not give Austria-Hungary permission to take any military action against Serbia, and the French also indicated that they will support Russia. -
German Undersecretary Comment
The German Undersecretary Arthur Zimmermann is shown and reads the ultimatum, afterwards he says that “the note is too sharp.” -
Ultimatum delivered
At 6 pm sharp, Baron Vladimir von Giesl delivers the ultimatum, and a reply must be returned within 48 hours, although Giesl had been instructed to regard any reply as unacceptable. Ljuba Jovanovic was the first Serbian to see the note that the Austrian sent, and Serbian Prime Minister Pasic and his cabinet were called back during a political tour. -
The Ultimatum (1/2)
Back in Belgrade, the Serbian prime minister is shown the ultimatum, while Austria informs the governments of Britain, Germany, France, Russia, Italy, and Turkey about the ultimatum. Alexander, the Prince of Serbia, wires the Russian Czar in the hope of giving Serbia advice and assistance on the matter. The Russians told Pasic to "proceed with extreme caution." -
The Ultimatum (2/2)
The Serbian government also made the contents of the ultimatum public in order to seek support from the public. The Kaiser heard about the ultimatum when a crew member of the cruise he was on read it from a Norwegian newspaper. In London, the British foreign minister has a meeting with the German ambassador, trying to persuade the German ambassador to an agreement to keep the peace. -
Quote
“The most formidable demand ever imposed on one state by another” (British Foreign Minister Sir Edward Grey on Austrian ultimatum) -
Serbia Prepares (1/2)
In fear of the Austrians attacking no matter the reply Serbia gives, Serbia secretly orders the general mobilization of its army at 3 pm. At 5:55pm, the prime minister of Serbia personally delivers the reply to Gisel, though the Austrian did not give a reply back, and instead at 6:30pm, the Austrian legation leaves Belgrade. -
Serbia Prepares (2/2)
At 7:53 pm, Berchtold obtains the signature of Franz Joseph, who grants permission to issue the order to mobilize the Austrian army by telling the Emperor that the Serbians were already attacking. On this day, Austria-Hungary's ally, Germany, was not informed of the actions Austria-Hungary was taking. -
Quote
“Part of your demands we have accepted… For the rest, we place our hopes on your loyalty and chivalry as an Austrian general” (Serbian Prime Minister Nikola Pasic delivering the reply to Baron Vladimir von Giesl, the Austrian ambassador.) -
Russia Begins Pre-Mobilization and Austria shells
A copy of the ultimatum was sent to Raymond Poincare, who was at the time on a French battlecruiser returning from Russia. Russia began to enter a state of pre-mobilization while Austria had to shell due to their army not being prepared for full military action until August 15. -
British and French Prepares (1/2)
Wilhelm returns to Potsdam, cutting his cruise short. The British fleet was ordered by Churchill to proceed to war stations after just returning from completing their summer maneuvers, but they had to do so in case the crisis got out of hand. The British parliament discusses the possibility of Germany invading France. -
British and French Prepares (2/2)
The Germans officially and publicly advise Austria not to listen to the British mediation to end the crisis. The French hope that if war breaks out, the Russians will launch an offensive in East Prussia through their military attache in St. Petersburg. The French issue standby mobilization orders for their armies. -
Austria Declares War (2/2)
The French Ambassador became aware of what was happening after word of Austria's declaration of war reached Saint Petersburg and the Russians also became aware of the situation. The Czar was informed that France would support Russia to its full extent. -
Austria Declares War (1/2)
At 11 a.m., Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia through a telegram, which marks the start of WW1. The British Foreign Minister suggested a meeting with the French, German, and Italian diplomats in an attempt to put a stop to this crisis from happening, but no one was interested. The German Chancellor offers a resignation to the Kaiser, admitting that he was deceived by the Austrians, but the Kaiser refuses this. The Austrian artillery opens fire on Belgrade. -
Germany and Russia joins (1/2)
The Kaiser and Czar Nicholas II begin the famous Willy-Nilly correspondence via telegram at 1 am, and the Czar also issues orders for mobilization in Moscow, Kiev, Odessa, and Kazan. The Kaiser tries to urge Austria to back off, and wires Saint Petersburg begging for resistance. The Czar calls off the mobilization between Russia and Germany temporarily, and instead targets Austria only. -
Germany and Russia joins (2/2)
The Austrian Ambassador, Count Szapary, held a meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister, Sazonov, to try and urge him to call off the Russian mobilization, although he failed to. Austro-Hungarian shells bombarded Belgrade, and in London, the British Foreign Minister gave a warning to the German ambassador that British neutrality could not be relied on. On their border with Germany, the French prepare for military action. -
Germany's War Plan (1/2)
The German Chancellor, Hollweg, summons the British Ambassador so they could strike a bargain. The German Chancellor asks if Britain would stay out of war if the German war with France placed no territorial demands on France or Belgium. The British answer was no, and Germany warned that if Germany mobilized, France would be attacked according to Germany’s war plan. -
Germany's War Plan (2/2)
At 5 pm, Franz Joseph announced full mobilization. The German Chancellor's attempt put considerable pressure on Austria to negotiate some sort of settlement, and the occupation of Belgrade would be suitable for the war. For the third time, the Czar once again made Russia declare general mobilization. -
Germany's Ultimatums (1/2)
At 11:55am, the Germans declared a danger of war (Kriegsgefahr Zustand), which was triggered by the Russian general mobilization. Germany delivered an ultimatum to Russia. The ultimatum had to be immobilized fully within 12 hours or the consequences that came with it would be that Germany would declare war against Russia. -
Germany's Ultimatums (2/2)
The Germans also issued an ultimatum sent to France to declare neutrality within 18 hours, in addition to passing over the frontier forts at Liege and Namur in a show of good faith. The French cabinet declared full mobilization of its troops at 5:15pm. -
Germany Declares War
Germany mobilizes and declares war on Russia for failing to comply with the terms of a demobilization ultimatum sent by Germany. The French also have to mobilize after rejecting Germany’s ultimatum. Italy withdraws from the Triple Alliances, to prove its neutrality since Austria is now part of a violent war. -
Germany's Passageway Plan and Alliance Treaty
Germany tries to request a free passage through Belgium by giving the Belgians an ultimatum demanding the right to send their troops through Belgium. Germany also secretly signed an alliance treaty with Turkey. -
Germany Declares War Again
Germany declares a war on France. Belgium refuses the ultimatum given by Germany that would give permission for the German troops to pass through their country. -
Britain Declares War
The German army intrusively enters Belgium in order to put the Schlieffen Plan into action and invades France. The British sent an ultimatum to Germany requesting that their soldiers be removed from Belgium by midnight or a war would occur between Germany and Britain. The Germans never replied to the British’s ultimatum, refusing to back down from this plan; Britain declared war on Germany as stated in the ultimatum. -
Austria and Serbia Declares War
The Austrians declare war on the Russians. Serbia declares war on Germany.