How did the assassination lead to War In

How did the assassination lead to War?

• In June 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne was assassinated while visiting Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. This spark off a process that led to war throughout Europe within a few weeks. • The Austrians blamed Serbia for the assassination and, after issuing an ultimatum, Austria declared war on Serbia. • Because of the Alliance System, Russia supported Serbia, and Germany supported Austria. • Within six weeks of the assassination, the great countries of Europe were at war.

• 28 June 1914 – The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated in Bosnia. • Austria blames Serbia for the killing of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. • Austria declares war on Serbia. Belgrade (in Serbia) is shelled. • The Russian army gets ready to help Serbia defend itself against the Austro-Hungarian attack. • Germany, Austria’s ally, sends a demand to Russia ordering it to hold back from helping Serbia. • Germany declares war on Russia. It also begins to move its army towards France, Russia’s ally. • The French army is put on a war footing, ready to fight a German invasion. • Germany declares war on France and invades neutral Belgium. Britain orders Germany to withdraw from Belgium. • The Germans are still in Belgium, so Britain declares war on Germany. • To complete the picture, Austria declares war on Russia.