Part 1 – August 2, 1914 |  Part 2 – August 9, 1914 –>

A Prelude to War

What a flurry of portentous events this last week and month have been. Just five weeks ago, on June 28, the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir presumptive of the Austro-Hungarian empire, was assassinated by

European alliances, 1914. From wikipedia.

Serbian nationalists. This prompted weeks of riots in the respective countries. Austria-Hungary, aware of the implications of war against Serbia, asked for and obtained promises on July 5 of German support against Russia, should Russia come to the aid of her ally Serbia.

On the 23, Austria-Hungary sent an ultimatum to Serbia – an ultimatum that was destined to be refused, as it would have meant the complete subjugation and vassalage of Serbia.

Serbia responded the following day by mobilizing her army, which was coupled with Austria-Hungary’s breaking off of all communications. This July is one of crisis…

On the 25, Austria-Hungary’s emperor, Franz Joseph, ordered his own mobilization of 8 corps. Britain responded by incessant offers of negotiation – war was clearly looming.

On the 28 of July, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Russia began mobilizing -gathering and calling up the troops – against the Austrians, while the Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II, and his cousin the German emperor Wilhelm II, spoke back and forth to avoid war.

This was not successful. On the 30th, Russia appeared to have mobilized against Germany. The following day, July 31, German issued her own ultimatum to Russia: cease mobilization, or Germany would attack France. Russia responded that the mobilization was only against Austria-Hungary.

Today, August 1, we have received word that Germany has declared war on Russia. Germany has mobilized her forces. According to the Schlieffen Plan – her plan for war on two fronts against France and Russia – forces will immediately invade Belgium and Luxembourg without any orders. England, aware of this, has warned Germany that violation of Belgium’s sovereignty will be met by war. Italy has declared itself neutral. And there are rumors that Germany and the Ottoman Empire have signed an alliance, although this cannot be verified.

The world is at war.