1. “Some damned foolish
thing in the Balkans”
The spark that
led to WWI

2. “Some damned foolish thing in the Balkans”
June 28, 1914, Gavrilo Princip assassinates
Archduke Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne,
in Sarajevo
Princip was:
A member of the Black Hand
Trained by Serbian officers

3. Germany gives Austria-Hungary unlimited support
1. The Blank Cheque
Germany gives Austria-Hungary unlimited support
Germany gives Austria-Hungary unlimited support
Even if it meant war
Even if it meant war
Germany did not believe Britain would enter the war
Germany did not believe Britain would enter the war

4. 2. The Austrian-Hungarian Ultimatum
A-H hoped to use the assassination as a way to start a justified, limited war
It was designed to be impossible for the Serbians to accept

5. 3. The Serbian
Response
They agreed to most of the terms
They asked for clarification

6. 4. Russia
Was interested in gaining a warm-water port
Saw itself as the protector of the Slavic people and friend to Serbia
Mobilized part of its army to aid Serbia

7. 5. Austria-Hungary
A-H interpreted Serbia’s request for clarification as a refusal and declared war on July 28, 1914

8. 6. Russia
Mobilized the rest of its army
Some of its army begins moving slowly into positions toward the German border
Some of its army begins moving slowly into positions toward the German border

9. 7. Germany
Germany mobilizes and declares war on Russia August 1st, 1914
Demands that Russia demobilize

10. 8. Germany
Because of the Schieffen plan Germany must defeat France first.
Invaded France August 2nd declares war on France August 3rd

11. The night of August 2nd asks the Belgian government to allow its troops to pass through
At dawn (Aug. 3rd) German troops cross the Belgian border
9. Germany

12. 10. Britain
August 3rd Britain demands Germany respect Belgian neutrality
Germany does not respond

13. 11. Britain
Declares war on Germany August 4th 1914

14. 12. Canada
Canada is automatically at war with Germany because we are a Dominion of Great Britain

15. The Battle of the Frontiers
The Germans seem unstoppable
Von Kluck turns the German right wing before Paris
The French counterattack and win the “Miracle of the Marne”
The Race to the Sea
Each side marches north trying to “turn the flank”
They stop at the English Channel
Exhausted, both sides “dig in
Trench Warfare
Trenches become fortifications
Trenches are dug behind trenches
Defensive weapons prevent a breakthrough
4 years of stalemate