On July 28, 1914, Austria declared war on Serbia. This was the first formal declaration of war in what would become World War 1. The declaration came after an ultimatum issued by Austria to Serbia on July 23, which had been met with a mostly negative response from the Serbian government.
The Austro-Serbian conflict had been brewing for some time, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was simply the spark that set it off. The assassination had led to increased tensions between Austria and Serbia, and Austria was looking for any excuse to go to war with its smaller neighbor.
The declaration of war was met with shock and outrage from the international community. Many countries had been hoping to avoid a war, and they were now worried that the conflict could spread and involve other nations.
Germany Declares War on Russia
On August 1, 1914, Germany declared war on Russia. This came after Russia had begun mobilizing its troops in response to the Austrian declaration of war on Serbia. Germany was allied with Austria, and it was now obligated to come to its aid.
The German declaration of war was met with even more shock and outrage than the Austrian one. Germany was considered to be a peaceful nation, and many people were surprised that it would be so quick to go to war.
France Declares War on Germany
On August 3, 1914, France declared war on Germany. This came after Germany had violated French airspace by flying over the country without permission. France was allied with Russia, and it was now obligated to come to its aid.
The French declaration of war was met with more mixed reactions than the other two. Some people were supportive of France, while others were worried about the potential consequences of the conflict.
Great Britain Declares War on Germany
On August 4, 1914, Great Britain declared war on Germany. This came after Germany had invaded Belgium, which was a neutral country. Great Britain was obligated to defend Belgium, and it now declared war on Germany.
The British declaration of war was met with a sense of relief from the other Allied powers. Britain was a powerful country, and its entry into the war helped to boost the morale of the Allies.
World War 1 Begins
With the British declaration of war, World War 1 had officially begun. The conflict would last for four years and result in the deaths of millions of people.
The Archduke's assassination was the catalyst that set off a chain of events that led to the outbreak of World War 1. However, it is important to remember that the war was caused by a number of factors, including nationalism, imperialism, and the rise of militarism. The assassination was simply the spark that ignited the powder keg.