This Week in History

CWA # 1423
This Week in History
28 July 1914: Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia, starting World War-I

Ms Ramya
2 August 2024
Photo Source: X

On 28 June 1914, the killing of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist linked to the Black Hand, was a primary cause for the beginning of the First World War. 

The War, however, started on 28 July 1914, with Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia. The conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia triggered a series of events that led to the First Great War, drastically reshaping Europe's political, economic, and social dynamics and the rest of the world. 

The road to the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
The road to the assassination had a long history.

First, the decline of the Ottomans, the rise of Austria-Hungary and the Balkan question. During the Ottoman period, Serbia became a province within the Balkan of the empire (1459), present-day Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia, and a few parts of Croatia.  Austria-Hungary, originally the Habsburg monarchy, was a significant European power with traditional enmity towards Turks. The decline of the Ottomans prompted Austria-Hungary to act aggressively in the region against Turkey and Serbia. Austria had a large south Slav population in the provinces of Slovenia, Croatia, the Banat and Bosnia. Austria was very alarmed at the growing power of Serbia. 

In 1804, the First Serbian Uprising commenced. For the first time in three centuries, Serbs administered themselves without the supremacy of the Ottoman Empire or Habsburg Austria for a decade. Their status changed when they were defeated and annexed by the Ottomans (1813). It took two decades before Serbia transitioned from an Ottoman province to a vassal principality (1830), and adopted the first Serbian constitution (1835). Serbia’s vision was to expand and unite several Slavic territories to form greater Serbia or Yugoslavia. They were motivated by the Russians. 

Second, the Russian interest and gains in the region. Russia’s search for the warm waters of the Dardanelles (Black Sea) manifested in their intervention on behalf of the Christian population in the Ottoman Empire. Russia tried to promote pan-Slavic movements and transform these young nationalities into its satellites. Russia declared war on the Ottoman Empire on 24 April 1877, and Serbia and Montenegro joined in December. Turkey was defeated and was compelled to sign the Treaty of San Stefano in March 1878.  Russia made major gains that were disliked by the great powers

Third, the Congress of Berlin (June-July 1878) and the follow up resentments. The following six the then great powers of Europe took part in the Congress: Russia, Great Britain, France, Austria-Hungary, Italy, and Germany along with the Ottomans and four Balkan states: Greece, Serbia, Romania and Montenegro. Major announcements that had long-term consequences in the region were the following: Bulgaria became independent but was divided into three (Bulgaria proper – autonomous E. Rumelia and Macedonia were given back to Ottomans);  recognition of the independence of Serbia, Montenegro and Rumelia; Serbian territory was extended; and Austria–Hungary was allowed to administer Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Congress of Berlin had round resentments. Balkan interests were compromised, Greece was discontent because Macedonia was given back to Ottomans, Serbia resented because the Serb districts Bosnia and Herzegovina were given to Austro-Hungarian administration and Russia was unhappy as the fruits of their victory were snatched.

Fourth, rise of the Balkan question. The Balkans emerged to be a pot of conflicting interests fuelled by the rising spirit of nationalism, the Slavic movement and the interest of external powers.  In 1908, Austria-Hungary formally annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina provoking large-scale outrage in the region. Encouraged by Russia, Serbia, and Greece, the Balkan League was formed by Bulgaria and Montenegro.

In October 1912, the Balkan League’s forces attacked a weakened Turkey and in seven weeks drove them out of their European possessions. Austria was appalled by this result, fearing the emergence of a much stronger Serbia. Austria wanted to attack Serbia immediately but at this stage, none of the Great Powers were ready for a confrontation with each other. The Great Powers called for a conference in London and in May 1913 imposed a settlement on the area known as The Treaty of London in 1913. A new country, Albania, was created with Austrian support to deny Serbia a coastline, making the latter furious.  The rest of the former Turkish lands were shared among the members of the Balkan League. 

As a result of the Balkan Wars (1912 - 1913) Serbia had doubled in size and there was growing demand for the union of south Slavs (Yugoslavism) under the leadership of Serbia. The Austrians decided that they would have to wage a preventative war against Serbia to destroy her growing power. They were waiting for the correct pretext (excuse). When Archduke Franz Ferdinand Franz Ferdinand was shot, the Austrians saw this as the perfect opportunity to destroy Serbia. 

Immediate Consequences
Kaiser Wilhelm (William) II assured Austria of Germany's support in whatever measures she took against Serbia, the so-called ‘Blank Cheque’ (5th July). Austria presented Serbia with an ultimatum and she was given 48 hours to reply (23rd July). Serbia’s response effectively accepted all terms of the ultimatum but one: it would not accept Austria-Hungary’s participation in any internal inquiry, stating that this would be a violation of the Constitution and of the law of criminal procedure. 

On 28 July, Austria rejected the Serbian reply and declared war. The Russians ordered a partial mobilisation of their troops against Austria. 

On 31 July, the Germans presented an ultimatum to Russia to halt her mobilisation within 12 hours and presented one to France in which she was asked to promise to stay neutral. In German military thinking, once she was at war with Russia, war with France was unavoidable. The Schlieffen plan now came into operation. This involved a concentration of German forces in an attack on France. 

On 1 August, Germany declared war on Russia and France ordered general mobilisation. On 2 August, Germany demanded from the Belgians the right to send troops through their country. The Belgians refused. 

On 3 August Germany declared war on France and its troops entered Belgium. The British sent an ultimatum to the Germans calling for the evacuation of Belgium. The next day, Britain declared war on Germany. World War One had begun. The war had far-reaching ramifications, resulting in the downfall of empires, the reconfiguration of national borders, economic depression and the foundation for subsequent global conflicts justifying the title, the First World War.

About the author
Ms Ramya, Associate Professor, Department of History, Kristu Jayanti College (Autonomous), Bengaluru

Also during this week published in This Week in History, Vol. 1 Issue #05, 03 August 2024

4 August 2007: The US launches Phoenix, a mission to Mars
5 August 2011: Yingluck Shinawatra, becomes the first woman Prime Minister of Thailand
29 July 1957: IAEA comes into force
28 July 1821: Peru declares independence from Spain
28 July 2005: IRA announces the end of its armed campaign
29 July 1958: The US establishes NASA


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