July crisis

'The July Crisis' Timeline

By chamberss

  • Assassination of Arch-Duke Franz Ferdinand

    The assassination of Franz Ferdinand provided the Austro-Hungarian government with an excuse to launch a limited war against the weaker Serbians.
  • Period: to

    'The July Crisis'

    'The July Crisis' was a series of events that started with the assassination of Arch-Duke Franz Ferdinand, of Austria-Hungary on the 28th June 1914 and finished with Britain declaring war on Germany on the 4th August 1914. This series of events effectively caused the First World War.

  • 'The Blank Cheque'

    Germany gave its unconditional support to Austria-Hungary in their attemps to punish Serbia after Franz Ferdinand was asssassinated by Serbian nationalists. This became later known as 'The Blank Cheque'

  • The Ultimatum to Serbia

    Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia on 23 July that revoked Serbia's national sovereignty.The ultimatum, which was intended to effectively pay for Franz Ferdinand's murderers, was expected to be rejected by the Serbians.

  • France Supports Russia who is backing Serbia

    The French Prime Minister, Rene Viviani, and President, Raymond Poincare were in Russia on a diplomatic meeting with Tsar Nicholas II to give their support to Russia. Russia were supporting the Serbians.

  • Austria-Hungary Formally Declares War on Serbia

    Serbia consented to the ultimatum given by Austria-Hungary bar a few sentences. Even though Serbia consented to the ultimatum Austria-Hungary formally declared war on Serbia on the 28th of July 1918.

  • Austria-Hungary Attacks Serbia

    Austria-Hungary placed the Serbian capital, Belgrade under bombardement. Only one day after war was declared on Serbia.

  • Russia and Austria-Hungary Mobilise Armies

    Russia and Austria-Hungary mobilised their armies on the 30th of July 1918 but the French who did not want any hostilaties withdrew their army 10km back from the border of Germany.

  • Germany demands Russia to Demobilise

    Germany demanded Russia to demobilise and sent an ultimatum to France to question their neutrality with Germany and Russia in an event of War between the two. France said they would act in their own accord.

  • Germany's Ultimatum was Ignored and Germany Declared War on Russia

    With no answer received to Germany's ultimatum the next day from Russia, both Germany and France ordered mobilisation. Stock exchanges panicked and many were closed.In the evening Germany formally declared war with Russia, despite Wilhelm's panicked decision to try and abort the German invasion of Belgium and France which was ignored by his Chief of Staff Helmuth von Moltke.

  • Germany Delivers Ultimatum to Belgium

    Germany delivers an ultimatum to Belgium for permission to cross over to France and requiring that Belgium remains neutral during Germanys occupation. the British Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey stated to Parliament that Britain would neutrally defend Belgium if necessary.

  • The Belgian King Rejects Germany's Ultimatum

    The Belgian King, Albert I openly declared he was rejecting Germany's ultimatum.

  • German troops invaded Belgium

    Britain demanded a "satisfactory" explanation from Germany to be delivered by 11pm (GMT) for her decision to march into Belgian territory at Gemmerich. When Germany did not respond by the given time, Britain announced a state of war with Germany.