3.1 Immediate Causes and the July Crisis

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo sparked a chain reaction of events leading to World War I. This crisis exposed long-simmering tensions between European powers, fueled by nationalism, imperialism, and complex alliances.

The July Crisis that followed saw a rapid escalation of diplomatic tensions. Austria-Hungary's ultimatum to Serbia, backed by Germany, set off a series of mobilizations and declarations of war that engulfed Europe in conflict.

Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand

The Event and Its Immediate Impact

Top images from around the web for The Event and Its Immediate Impact

• 

  July Crisis - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  June 1914 - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  July Crisis - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for The Event and Its Immediate Impact

• 

  July Crisis - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  June 1914 - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  July Crisis - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to Austro-Hungarian throne, assassinated on June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Gavrilo Princip, member of Serbian nationalist group Black Hand, carried out the assassination
  • Black Hand sought to unify all South Slavic peoples under Serbian rule
• Assassination directly challenged Austro-Hungarian authority in the Balkans
• Event triggered July Crisis, a series of diplomatic exchanges and ultimatums between Austria-Hungary and Serbia

Broader Implications and Context

• Exposed underlying tensions and rivalries among European powers
  • Particularly between Austria-Hungary and Russia over influence in the Balkans
• Occurred during period of heightened nationalist sentiment and imperial competition
• Served as catalyst for broader European conflict
• Timing amplified its significance in the lead-up to World War I
  • Coincided with increasing militarization and arms races (naval buildup between Britain and Germany)
  • Happened amidst growing tensions from previous crises (Moroccan Crises of 1905 and 1911)

Alliances and Diplomatic Tensions

Major Alliance Systems

• Triple Alliance formed in 1882
  • Members included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy
• Triple Entente established by 1907
  • Comprised Britain, France, and Russia
• Alliance systems designed for mutual defense
  • Created network of obligations that could rapidly escalate localized conflicts
• Franco-Russian Alliance of 1894 particularly significant
  • Committed Russia to support France against German aggression and vice versa
• Britain's "splendid isolation" policy gave way to new alliances
  • Entente Cordiale with France in 1904
  • Anglo-Russian Convention in 1907

Escalating Tensions and Arms Races

• Naval arms race between Britain and Germany heightened tensions
  • Characterized by development of dreadnought battleships
• Diplomatic crises increased mistrust and rivalry among European powers
  • Moroccan Crises (1905 and 1911)
  • Bosnian Crisis (1908-1909)
• Arms buildup across Europe created atmosphere of militarism
  • Increased military spending and expansion of standing armies
  • Development of new military technologies (machine guns, improved artillery)

Responses of European Powers

Austria-Hungary and Serbia

• Austria-Hungary issued ultimatum to Serbia on July 23, 1914
  • Contained deliberately harsh terms designed to be rejected
• Serbia's reply on July 25 accepted most demands
  • Rejected those compromising its sovereignty
• Diplomatic relations between the two countries severed

Germany and Russia

• Germany provided "blank check" to Austria-Hungary on July 5
  • Assured unconditional support for action against Serbia
• Russia began partial mobilization on July 25 in support of Serbia
  • Escalated to general mobilization on July 30
• Germany warned Russia against mobilization
  • Ultimately declared war on Russia on August 1

France and Britain

• France assured Russia of support on July 27
  • Acted in accordance with their alliance
• Britain initially attempted to mediate the crisis
  • Proposed conference of ambassadors on July 26
  • Effort rejected by Germany and Austria-Hungary
• Britain declared war on Germany on August 4
  • Responded to German invasion of neutral Belgium

Nationalism and Imperialism vs the Crisis

Nationalist Movements and Tensions

• Nationalism fueled irredentist movements, particularly in the Balkans
  • Various ethnic groups sought independence or unification
• Pan-Slavism, championed by Russia, conflicted with Austria-Hungary's control
  • Created point of tension in the Balkans
• Desire for national prestige drove aggressive foreign policies
  • Countries resisted compromise during the crisis
• Social Darwinist ideas applied to international relations
  • Reinforced notion of national struggle and survival of the fittest
  • Justified aggressive policies

Imperialist Competition and Its Effects

• Scramble for colonies and spheres of influence heightened rivalries
  • Increased potential for conflict among European powers
• Fear of losing great power status influenced decision-making
  • Led to resistance to diplomatic solutions
• Militarism, linked to nationalism and imperialism, led to arms races
  • Glorification of military might made war seem inevitable or desirable
• Crisis exposed limitations of Concert of Europe system
  • Previously maintained balance of power
  • Now unable to prevent outbreak of general war