Chapter+23.1

Francis Ferdinand William II- Emperor William II of Germany backed Austria- Hungary in their declaring war on Serbia for the assassination of Ferdinand and his wife. He granted Austria-Hungary a “blank check” to ensure full Germany support if war broke out between Russia and Austria-Hungary. Later, on July 28, 1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Nicholas II- Czar Nicholas II of Russia was determined to support Serbia’s cause and declared a partial mobilization of Russian troops and supplies against Austria-Hungary. Because mobilization was an act of war at the time, Germany considered declaring war towards Russia. The mobilization caused chaos in Austro-Hungarian army and was based on war against both Germany and Austria-Hungary.

Schlieffen Plan Black Hand

Group 1. What were the major causes of World War I? The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand by Princip of the Black Hand terrorist group was the spark that began WWI for Austria-Hungary (with German assistance) and Serbia (with Russian assistance). The mobilization of Russia was also a major factor in the beginning of the war because mobilization was considered an act of war at the time. The nationalism and use of militarism in the feuding countries also caused beginning in the war.

Group 2. What was Serbia’s goal prior to World War I and how is that related to the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand?

Serbia wanted to create a large, independent Slavic state. They wanted Austria-Hungary to become part of the Slavic kingdom and when they assassinated him and his wife, Austria-Hungary got the alliance of Germany.

Group 3. How did the alliance system impact the initial involvement of the major nations of Europe in the war? The alliance impacted the war by forcing nations to go against each other. If their ally was in a war, they were forced to participate. The alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy was a good example. If Germany had a disagreement with a nation, alliance had to help out, making rivals between nations that were never there. Russia was a country that was completely against that whole alliance. If Germany was in a disagreement with Russia, the whole alliance was forced to participate. Russia and France was also in an alliance which forced France to participate. That would make Russia, France, Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary all be in a war. This makes war very common and always happening. Group 4. How did the Schlieffen Plan help bring about the war?


 * The Schlieffen Plan helped bring about the war by having Germany would conduct a small holding action against Russia while most of the German army would carry out a rapid invasion of France. This meant invading France by moving quickly along the level coastal area through Belgium. After France was defeated, the German invaders would move to the east against Russia. But then Germany couldn't mobilize its troops solely against Russia, which caused them to declare war on France. While declaring war on France, they passed through Belgium which got Britain mad, and they declared war on Germany. In all, it caused a two-front war with France and Russia, and also caused a chain reaction.