World War I: The Significant Turning Point
World War I: The Significant Turning Point
World War I: The Significant Turning Point
On June 28 1914 a spark was set off in Sarajevo which would become an explosion throughout the world. The event that led to World War One was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. A Serbian nationalist secret society, also known as the Black Hand, was who was responsible for Ferdinands death. This spark would set off a “mechanical series of events that will culminate in the worlds first global war” the events to come in July through August of 1914 are a classical case of “one thing led to another” otherwise known as the treaty alliance system.
The tangle of alliances is what made the world go crazy. It all started with Austria-hungry being unsatisfied with Serbias response to her challenge. On July 28, 1914 Austria-Hungry went into war with Serbia. Russia, being bound by treaty to Serbia, announced recruitment of its immense army in her defense. This was a time-consuming process which took six weeks. Germany viewed the Russian mobilization as an act of war against their ally Austria-hungry, and after a scarce warning declared war on Russia on August 1st. France found itself at war against Germany and, additionally; on Austria hungry following a German declaration on august 3rd because they were bound by treaty to Russia. In order to reach Paris by the shortest possible route Germany quickly invaded neutral Belgium. Britain allied to France by a more loosely worded treaty declared war against Germany on August 4th. Because of the terms of a 75 year old treaty Britain