2. Russian Interests in the Balkans: Russia had a strong interest in the Balkans due to its desire to expand its influence and gain access to the Mediterranean Sea. The Balkan region was home to Orthodox Christian communities with cultural and religious ties to Russia, which further fueled Russia's support for various Slavic groups.
3. Austria-Hungary and the Balkans: The Balkans were a region of strategic importance for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as it shared borders with several Balkan countries and considered the region as a sphere of influence. The annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1908 further strained relations between Austria-Hungary and Russia.
4. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand: The crisis reached its peak with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, on June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The assassin was a Serbian nationalist named Gavrilo Princip, and the incident triggered a series of diplomatic exchanges and diplomatic failures that led to the outbreak of war.
5. System of Alliances: The complex network of alliances among the European powers made it difficult to resolve the Balkan conflicts peacefully. Russia's support for Serbia against Austria-Hungary activated a series of mutual defense pacts, bringing other major powers, such as Germany and France, into the conflict. The Balkan region became a flashpoint for the clash of imperial ambitions, leading to the escalation of the crisis into a global conflict.
6. Domino Effect of Mobilization: Once diplomatic efforts failed, the assassination triggered a chain reaction of military mobilizations. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. In response, Russia began general mobilization, leading Germany to issue an ultimatum to Russia to stop its mobilization. When the ultimatum was not met, Germany declared war on Russia on August 1, 1914, and on France on August 3, 1914.
7. Global Escalation: The Balkan conflict quickly escalated into a global war, eventually involving all major European powers and eventually spreading to other regions across the globe. The fighting in the Balkans continued throughout the war and played a significant role in the overall strategic situation, including the conflict on the Eastern Front between Russia and Germany.