The Powder Keg Ignites 1914 JUNE 28 th JULY 28 th AUG. 1 st Archduke Ferdinand Assassinated Austria- Hungary declares war on Serbia Germany declares war on Russia Germany declares war on France G.B. declares war on Germany AUG. 3rdAUG. 4th

 June 28 th, 1914, Franz Ferdinand was murdered He was the heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne Was killed by a Serbian nationalist (Gavrilo Princip) in Bosnia  Princip was a member of the Black Hand  What's the big deal about a Serbian killing the heir to the Austrian throne? Archduke Ferdinand Assassinated

 Austria wants to teach Serbia a lesson 1. Austria asked Germany if they would back them up in punishing Serbia  Germany said YES…WHY? Germany and Austria are allies in the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.) Archduke Ferdinand Assassinated

 Austria sent Serbia an A set of demands that if not met would  to war  Serbia agrees to the demands but Austria wanted to punish them still. July 28 th 1914, Austria declared war on Serbia Archduke Ferdinand Assassinated Austria- Hungary declares war on Serbia

 Russia announced it would back Serbia, to make up for previously backing down in Russia began to mobilize: prepare for war Problems for Russia: such a large country that it was hard to get everybody in the proper position. Archduke Ferdinand Assassinated Austria- Hungary declares war on Serbia

 There is a chain reaction 1. Germany declares war on Russia. WHY? Triple Alliance= Germany is Austria’s ally 2. Germany declares war on France. WHY? Triple Entente =France and Russia are allies  Bismarck’s nightmare had come true: Germany now faced a two-front war. Archduke Ferdinand Assassinated Austria- Hungary declares war on Serbia Germany declares war on Russia Germany declares war on France

 Schlieffen Plan: Germany’s plan to counter a two-front war *Not to attack France on the German French border (where they would expect an attack)  1. Instead, a quick attack on France by going through Belgium  2. When France is defeated, turn towards Russia  *Russia would be slow to mobilize because of their size

 G.B. declares war on Germany G.B. part of what alliance? Triple Entente= its friends with Russia and France Also G.B had an alliance with Belgium  The world powers are now at war Archduke Ferdinand Assassinated Austria- Hungary declares war on Serbia Germany declares war on Russia Germany declares war on France G.B. declares war on Germany

- Germany - Austria-Hungary - Turkey - Bulgaria - Great Britain - France - Russia - Italy (flipper) CENTRAL POWERS ALLIED POWERS (ALLIES) What were the two pre-WWI rival alliances? Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance

 What was the Schlieffen Plan? Attack France first and then Russia.  The Schlieffen Plan was working. France was not expecting an attack through Belgium  they were not prepared Germans heading towards Paris BUT problems will develop

 What countries are part of the Allies? France, G.B., Russia, Italy  Germany had to send troops to the Eastern Front to fight against Russia They were not able to get to Paris as quickly as they thought French soldiers closer to Paris= communication is easier for the French Allies attack Germany in the Marne River Valley and push the German’s back

 The German’s first lost of the Western Front ruined the Schlieffen Plan.  Now a long war was to develop on both fronts. A war of attrition: a war based on wearing the other side down by constant attacks and heavy losses.  No side willing to give up at this time  tremendous loss of life and property