The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand Sarajevo, June 28th 1914

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

• Sarajevo, June 28th 1914

What you will learn

Archduke Franz Ferdinand fact file

Tensions in the Balkans

Reactions to the annexation

The Black Hand Society

The Assassination

The Austrian Ultimatum

July 5th – Austria are assured by Germany of support against Serbia

• July 5th – Austria are assured by Germany of support against Serbia

• July 23rd- Ultimatum Sent to Serbia, Two demands are rejected

• July 29th- Austria declares war on Serbia

• Serbia appeal to Russia for help

• July 30th- Russia mobilises her army, Germany mobilises her army for war against Russia.

• Aug 1st- Germany declares war on Russia,

• France mobilises her army.

Britain enters the War

• Germany had already planned to invade France through Belgium and Holland.

• Britain had always been sensitive about Belgium as it was a small country with seaports very close to Britain.

• British policy was that no major naval power should be able to control Belgium

• The Kaiser did not believe Britain would enter the war over Belgium.

• Aug 3rd – Germany declares war on France

• August 4th – Germany invades Belgium, Britain declares war on Germany

• The whole of Europe is plunged into war.