WWI - The "Spark" (Lesson)

The "Spark."

We need to have a basic understanding of the Balkan situation in order to understand the how the "spark" led to war.

During the 1878 Berlin Congress, Austria-Hungary was allowed to occupy Bosnia. They decide they wished to annex the country, but to do so might bring them into conflict with Russia. By 1908, Russia and Austria-Hungary negotiate a deal: Austria gets Bosnia without interference IF Russia is given a warm water port in the Balkans. Austria moves forward with annexing Bosnia, but when Russia calls a congress to claim its port, Austria does not support them when England and Germany object. Russia feels betrayed and determined not to end up in a similar situation.

Photograph of the arrest of Gavrilo PrincepNot all in the Balkans approve of the Austrian annexation of Bosnia; Serbia in particular wanted Bosnia free of Austro-Hungarian authority in order to create a Yugo-slav or united slavic nation. A Bosnian nationalist group, the Black Hand, developed in Serbia with one of its sole aims to be the assassination of a member of the Austrian royal family. In the summer of 1914, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand was scheduled to visit Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital, in order to inspect the Bosnian troops. The Black Hand saw this as an opportunity to carry out one of their fundamental missions and sent some of its members to carry out the assassination attempt.

A parade was to take place before Franz Ferdinand gave his speech and the parade route was obtained by the Black Hand. Operatives were stationed near a bridge as this particular bridge required that vehicles cross it one at a time, giving ample time for a bomb to be thrown into the royal carriage. Unfortunately, the bomb was thrown into the wrong car and Ferdinand escaped unharmed. The Black Hand Operatives attempted to disappear into the crowd.

A little later in the day, by sheer coincidence, one of the operatives, Gavrilo Princep, runs into the Archduke's car. Seizing his opportunity, Princep pulls out his gun and shoots both the Archduke and his wife, Sophie.

Image: (right) is a photograph of the arrest of Gavrilo Princep.

 

6/28/1914 Assassination of Franz Ferdinand The Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated by a Serbian terrorist from the Black Hand. A-H was outraged, and convinced a strong response was necessary as they believed that the terrorists were affiliated with the Serbian government. 7/5/1914 Germany issues the Blank Check Austria-Hungary asked Germany for advice as they still have not responded to the situation. Germany states they will give Austria-Hungary their full support, offering up a "blank check" 7/23/1914 Austria- Hungary issues an ultimatum Austria-Hungary gave Serbia an incredibly harsh ultimatum. It included terms that seemed designed for Serbia to refuse - including one that required A-H to take over an investigation associations with the Black Hand which amounted to a takeover of the Serbian government. Serbia is given 48 hours to agree to ALL of the demands. 7/25/1914 Serbia requests mediation. Serbia responded by accepting all but 2 of the demands and asking for international mediation. 7/28/1914 Austria-Hungary declares war. Austria-Hungary refused mediation and declared war on Serbia claiming their demands weren't met. 7/30/1914 Russia joins in. Tsar Nicholas II ordered a full mobilization against Austria-Hungary and Germany, effectively declaring war. 8/1/1914 Germany declares war Germany responded by declaring war on Russia and warning France to declare its intentions in 48 hours or else. By August 3rd, France's hours had expired and Germany declared war on them as well. 8/4/1914 Germany invades Belgium On August 4th, the Germans asked the Belgians for permission to pass through their country to get to France, Belgium refused as they had previously established neutrality. Germany invaded anyway. 8/5/1914 Britain joins the war The British, despite their previous neutral stance, declare war on Germany the next day because of its violation of Belgium's neutrality. 

 

 

 

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