Advertisement
- Home
- > History
- > Modern World History
- > International relations 1900 - 1939
- > The steps to war 1914
If it was a Serbian who shot an Austrian, why did Germany, Russia, France and Britain become embroiled in a war? The European countries became involved in the war because of the alliances they had formed with each other - they had promised to support each other in the event of war and war was upon them.
Key dates
This list of dates shows how Europe slid into war after the murder of Franz Ferdinand.
1914 - the build-up to war
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 5th | The Austrian government asks the German government if it will support Austria in a war against Russia, if Russia supports Serbia. The Germans say they will support whatever the Austrian government decides to do - the so called 'blank cheque'. |
| July 23rd | The Austrian government sends the Serbian government an ultimatum. |
| July 25th | The Serbians accept all the conditions except one - that Austrian police should be allowed into Serbia. |
| July 28th | Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. |
| July 30th | The Russian army is mobilised. |
| August 1st | Germany declares war on Russia. |
| August 3rd | Germany declares war on France and, following the Schlieffen Plan, attacks Belgium. |
| August 4th | Britain keeps the promise made in a treaty of 1839 to defend Belgium, and declares war on Germany. |
Listen
Links
© MMIXThis page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.