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Ultimatums and tension - The First World War - 1914

Austrian diplomats prepare their response to the death of Franz Ferdinand. They intend to use the assassination to exert their authority over the Serbs by issuing an ultimatum making a series of demands that would reduce Serbian self determination to a bare minimum. This ultimatum is approved by the Austrian government on 19th July.

Across Europe ministers discuss the implications of the assassination. Russia readies herself for war, knowing that Austria sought to increase her influence over the Balkans: an area that Russia coveted for herself. Armed forces and navies are placed on alert by mid July.

23rd July, Austria delivers her Ultimatum to the Serbs. Britain, France and Russia are informed the next day.

The next few days see frantic attempts at mediation by Statesmen such as Grey, the English Foreign Minister. Meanwhile fleets are recalled to dock and preparations are made across Europe for mobilisation of armies. Austria refuses to negotiate and bombards Belgrade, the Serbian capital, on the 29th. Other European nations frantically issue decrees of allegiance to one another and make threats to members of opposing alliance groups. Still there is doubt in the minds of the Austrians and Germans as to what the British reaction to war would be (it was less than a week since Lloyd George had stated in the house of commons that Anglo-German relations were better than they had ever been before).

30th July. Both the Austrians and the Russians begin full mobilisation of armed forces.

How does the assassination lead to war? Click here to see an interactive map illustrating the sequence of events.

31st July. The German Kaiser issues an ultimatum to the Russians, ordering them to halt their mobilisation. Demands of neutrality and assurances in the form of surrendered fortifications are sought from France. The French respond by ordering full mobilisation.

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