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Concept
July Crisis
Summary
The July Crisis was a series of interrelated diplomatic and military escalations among the major powers of Europe in the summer of 1914, which led to the outbreak of World War I. The crisis began on 28 June 1914, when Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist, assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg. A complex web of alliances, coupled with the miscalculations of numerous political and military leaders (who either regarded war as in their best interests, or felt that a general war would not occur), resulted in an outbreak of hostilities amongst most of the major European nations by early August 1914.
Austria-Hungary viewed the irredentist movements of South Slavs, as promoted by Serbia, as a threat to the unity of its multi-national empire. Following the assassination, Austria sought to inflict a military blow on Serbia to demonstrate its own strength and to dampen Serbian support for Yugoslav nationalism. However, Vienna, wary of the reaction of the Russian Empire (a major supporter of Serbia), sought a guarantee from its ally Germany that Berlin would support Austria in any conflict. Germany guaranteed its support through what came to be known as the "blank cheque," but urged Austria to attack quickly, while world sympathy for Ferdinand was high, to localize the war and to avoid drawing in Russia. However, rather than launching a quick attack with available military forces, Austrian leaders deliberated into mid-July before deciding that Austria would give Serbia a harsh ultimatum, and would not attack without a full mobilization of the Austro-Hungarian Army (which could not be accomplished before 25 July 1914). In the meantime, France met with Russia, reaffirmed their alliance, and agreed they would support Serbia against Austria in the event of a war.
Austria made its ultimatum to Serbia on 23 July; before Serbia replied to the ultimatum, Russia ordered a secret, but noticed, partial mobilization of its armed forces.
Official source
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