Balkan War Led to WWI Term Paper

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 808 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 1+

Page 1 of 3

Balkan War that led to World War I

There were several factors of the Balkan Crisis of 1914 that led to World War I. Generally, the European Crisis of 1914 is blamed on the "Great Power statesmen for their shortsightedness, incompetence, or failure to act in a timely or effective way to keep the peace" (Sowards 2001). However, it is important to consider the players involved in the conflict between the two states in the original Sarajevo crisis, Austria-Hungary and Serbia. Early in the crisis, when the Austrian, Hungarians, and Serbs made important decisions, "they consistently avoided compromise and risked war" (Sowards 2001). Two months passed between the murder of Franz Ferdinand and the "coming of the general war...plenty of time for calculation, caution and decision" (Sowards 2001). However, there were several successive events that took place during those two months.

On June 28, 1914, Gavrilo Princip, a nineteen-year-old student and an agent of the Serbian nationalist secret society, the Black Hand assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary (Who 2002). Ferdinand's death sparked a "mindlessly mechanical series of events that culminated in the world's first global war" (Duffy 2002).

Stuck Writing Your "Balkan War Led to WWI" Term Paper?

View All Our Example Balkan War Led to WWI Term Paper

Have A Custom Example Essay Written



It was three weeks before Austria-Hungary reacted to the Ferdinand's death, opting "to take the opportunity to stamp its authority upon the Serbians, crushing the nationalist movement there and cementing Austria-Hungary's influence in the Balkans" It issued an ultimatum to Serbia, that "in the extent of its demand that the assassins be brought to justice effectively nullified Serbia's sovereignty" Austria-Hungary expected Serbia would reject the terms, giving cause to launch war, however, it did not consider the Slavic ties with Russia. Although, not really expecting Russia to be drawn into the war, Austria-Hungary sought assurances of aid from its ally, Germany When Serbia quibbled over a few clauses in the ultimatum, Austria-Hungary declared war on July 28, 1914

Bound by ties to Serbia, Russia mobilized its army in her defense. Germany, viewing this as an act of war against Austria-Hungary, declared war on Russia on August 1, 1914. On August 3, France, bound by treaty to Russia, announced war against Germany and Austria-Hungary. Germany responded by immediately invading "neutral Belgium so as to reach Paris by the shortest possible route" On August 4, Britain, allied to France by treaty and obligated to.....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Balkan War Led To WWI" (2003, January 22) Retrieved May 14, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/balkan-war-led-wwi-142353

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Balkan War Led To WWI" 22 January 2003. Web.14 May. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/balkan-war-led-wwi-142353>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Balkan War Led To WWI", 22 January 2003, Accessed.14 May. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/balkan-war-led-wwi-142353
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example