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Princeps' Pistol murders Franz Ferdinand
On the 28th of June, two bullets set in motion the boulder that would turn out to be the Great War. Princep, working for Serbian-sponsered terrorist organization "The Black Hand", took up a position on the street from which to assasinate Archduke Ferdinand and his wife. His shots would ignite the animosities present in the "powder keg" of Europe, and launch the greatest war man had ever known. Most shows - NATIONALISM -
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WWI - 37 Days of Countdown
The First World War was the culmination of European animosities that had been growing over decades, kicked off by the explosion of the "European powder keg" with the murder of Archduke Ferdinand. -
Austria-Hungary furious at assassination of their Archduke
Obviously, Austria-Hungary isn't happy at the assassination of the heir to their throne. They blamed Serbia for the assassination, and were determined to get revenge, invoking help from their longtime ally, Germany. Yet they were cautious to immedietly go to war, because Serbia had Russia guarding its back. Most shows - NATIONALISM -
Elsewhere, Germany and Britian maintaining relations
IT was the final day of Britian's Royal Navy visiting Germany. The Germain Kaiser, Wilhelm II (cousin of Tzar of Russia and King of Britian), was proud to be named an admiral of the British Fleet. There was little tension between the two friendly nations. Most shows - ALLIANCES -
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July Crisis
The month of July, 1914, was full of colossal political misjudgements and mistakes. Eventually, through the July Crisis, it was proven that nothing could hold back the reigns of a rearing European nation. -
Germany pledges to support Austria-Hungary
Germany, a longtime ally of Austria-Hungary, promises to support them in any conflict against Serbia. This risky pledge became known as Germany's "black cheque". Most shows - ALLIANCES -
Quick German strike on Serbia delayed by indecisive minister
The majority of Austria-Hungary leaders moved for a quick attack against Serbia, with the backup of Germany. However, for the decision to pass, it had to be unanimious. The Hungarian Prime Minister opposed the idea, and the council decided to draw up an ultimanium to Serbia instead. Most shows - MILITARISM -
Britian attempts to deter Germany by reminding them of the Triple Entente
In recent years, Britian had moved into a closer friendship with France, and formed the "Triple Entente" with Russia and France. Britian reminded Germany that messing with Serbia would bring Russia into the war, and by the Entente, France and Britian. Germany would be forced to fight against three superpowers, plus Serbia. Most shows: ALLIANCES -
Secret attack plans created by Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary, now with the full consent of the Hungarian Prime Minister, decides to issue an ultimatum to Serbia, If Serbia consented, Austria-Hungary would simply take control of Serbia. If Serbia refused to accept the ultimatum, war would be announced. Most shows: MILITARISM -
Russia enters the conflict, issuing warnings to Austra-Hungary
The Russian foreign minister ,having discovered Austria-Hungary's decision to send an ultimatum, provides them with another warning. Russia reminds Austria Hungary that if they don't back down, they will be forced to fight the largest country in the world, along with the other members of the Triple Entente. A quote from a Russian minister reads as follows; "If Austria-Hungary is absolutely determined to disturb the peace, she ought not to forget that she would have to reckon with Europe." Alli. -
Austria-Hungary sends Serbia an impossible ultimanium
Hearing the warnings, but ignoring them, Austria-Hungary sends its ultimatum to Serbia. The many demands included removing all propoganda against Austria-Hungary and other requests that went directly against the Serbian constitution. Most shows: NATIONALISM -
Serbia effectively declines the Ultimanium
Serbia agrees to the humiliating ultimatum, but refuses to agree to two of the demands. Chief among them was Austria-Hungary's request to direct court proceedings in the nation. In fact, Serbia even mocked the Austria-Hungarians with formal responses to the unreasonable requests - "The Royal Serbian Government condemns every propaganda which should be directed against Austria-Hungary...". Serbia had effectively turned down the ultimatum, and war was now inevitable. Most shows - NATIONALISM -
Britian attempts for peace, to prevent a continental war
Sir Edward Grey, the British foreign secretary, had a plan that would have effectively stopped a world war. He believed that the nations not directly involved (including Germany) in the Balkan crisis (Austria-Hungary/Serbia conflict) should remain uninvolved, and simply act as mediators. His offer was seen as condecending by the German Keiser, and rejected. -
Austria-Hungary offfically declares war on Serbia
Austria-Hungary declared a war they weren't ready for - their army wasn't prepared, and wouldn't be for another half-month. Germany was becoming frustrated, sympathy for Archduke Ferdinand's assassination was ebbing away in the nation. Most shows - MILITARISM -
Germany and Russia try for peace
The Tsar of Russia was about to mobilize an army against Austria-Hungary in order to protect Serbia - but recieved a message from his cousin, the Kaiser of Germany. The Kaiser expressed his want for peace, and asked Russia to call off the army. Russia consented. Most shows: NATIONALISM (They wanted the best for their countries) -
Russia changes its mind, mobilizies forces
The Russia Tsar (with help from his foreign minister) changed his mind just a day later, fully mobilizing forces against Austria-Hungary. He had decided that Russia must protect Serbia, in order to maintain its reputation and its alliance, and to preserve the Russian dynasty. Most shows: ALLIANCES -
Germany plans and prepares for nationwide war
Germany, having recognized the threat that the French, British, and Russian armies posed, prepared for all out war on all fronts. In an attempt to lessen the size of the target on their backs, Germany sent an ultimatum to Russia demanding that they back off, along with a plea for accomodance to the French. Most shows: MILITARISM -
Germany declares war on Russia
Russia declines to accept the ultimatum, and is now officially at war with Germany. German armies had already been mobilising, while the French, in anticipation of a surprise attack, had also been preparing. The Kaiser accepted this war with reluctance, for he had already expressed his want for peace. Most shows - MILITARISM -
Germany attempts to manipulate Belgium, Britian's ally
Germany, recognizing the peril that they were in, asked Belgium to allow for German forces in their territory. Germany issued them an ultimatum as well, to guarentee their demand - but Belgium was a long-standing ally of Britian. If Belgium turned down the ultimatum, Britian would be forced to enter the war, and Europe would erupt into chaos. Most shows - ALLIANCES -
Germany declares war on France
Opposition to conflict dying away, France entered the war. Germany realized that France must be defeated before conquering the Russians, and so they tried to do exactly that. Sir Edward Grey, the British foreign Secretary, summed up the events of the time period - "The lamps are going out all over Europe. We shall not see them lit again in our lifetime". Most shows - MILITARISM -
Britian sends ultimatium to, and eventually declares war on Germany
Britian, in a last bid for peace, sent an ultimatium to Germany. They asked Germany to stop the invasion of Belgium, as it was only a matter of honor for Britian to defend them. Germany refused.
Most shows: ALLIANCE The superpower continent was now split into warring factions - a war that would become known as The Great War. Two shots strained the bonds of the alliances that tied Europe together, breaking them apart and testing their strength - resulting in the greatest war man had even known.
