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The July Crisis

The July Crisis. The Shot That Started WWI. The Lead-Up. Tensions had been rising in Europe as nations attempted to gain more territories and strengthen their positions

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The July Crisis

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  1. The July Crisis The Shot That Started WWI

  2. The Lead-Up • Tensions had been rising in Europe as nations attempted to gain more territories and strengthen their positions • Several small conflicts/events had occurred and been peaceably resolved, but every time, one or both parties had been unhappy with the outcome • Many nations were facing difficulties that they felt could be resolved favourably through war • Europe was a “powder keg” waiting for a spark

  3. A Web of Alliances

  4. The Balkan “Powder Keg” • The Balkans consisted of several small nations, some independent and some that were controlled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire • A growing desire for independence from the Empire created unrest in the area as Austro-Hungary tried to keep control • Some of the free nations, chiefly Serbia, promoted these independence movements, despite warnings from Austro-Hungary • Russia had historically been prominent in Balkan affairs and wanted to maintain its influence in the region. It had a mutual defence treaty with Serbia • There was great tension in the Balkans as each Empire and nations tried to gain some advantage over the others.

  5. The Spark! • On June 28, 1914, Arch-Duke Francis Ferdinand (heir to the throne of Austro-Hungary) was assassinated in Bosnia by a Serbian terrorist named GraviloPrincip • This provided the Austro-Hungarian Empire a chance to crush Serbia and gain a tighter control over the Balkans • The Austro-Hungarians accused the Serbian government of killing Ferdinand and prepared to invade Serbia

  6. Arch-Duke Ferdinand & His Wife Gravilo Princip (assassin)

  7. The Situation • Austro-Hungary (A-H) threatened to invade Serbia unless she bowed to their will • Russia was committed to defending Serbia in the event of an invasion • Germany had an alliance with A-H and assured them they would support them 100% against Russia (the “blank cheque) • Russia also had an alliance with France, which meant that if anyone attacked Russia, then France would be at war with the attackers

  8. The Schleiffen Plan • Germany always feared being divided in a “two front war” against Russia and France • They devised a battle plan that (in theory) would allow them to quickly defeat France first so they could focus solely on Russia • This plan involved a quick and massive attack towards Paris through the neutral country of Belgium • Unfortunately for Germany, Britain had a treaty with Belgium, guaranteeing they would defend them if someone violated their neutrality (a free Belgian coastline was thought necessary to the security of England) • The Germans firmly believed that only the Schleiffen plan could guarantee victory and convinced themselves that Britain would not go to war over “a piece of paper”

  9. The “Powder Keg” Explodes • Austria-Hungary, backed by Germany, declared war on Serbia. • The Russians, defending Serbia, declared war on Germany/A-H. • In order to avoid a two-front war, Germany attacked both France and Russia (who were allies). • Following the Schleiffen Plan, Germany moved her army through Belgium, violating Belgian neutrality • In response, Britain declared war on Germany and A-H

  10. The Events

  11. The War Begins! • While the July Crisis and the resulting invasions of Serbia and Belgium started the war, many of the major nations were eager to fight • Each nation had objectives which they felt would be best accomplished through armed conflict • All of the major nations believed that the war would be quick, easy and end in their favour

  12. Objectives

  13. When Britain declared war on Germany, her entire Empire was immediately at war as well.This meant that Canada was now at war with Germany and the other Central Powers

  14. Assignment: • Make a list of the 4 main causes of WWI. • For each “Cause”, list the different parts of the July Crisis that can be attributed to that “Cause”. –you can do this in point form • Choose one of the “Causes” you have listed and write a paragraph that proves how it contributed to the July Crisis and, consequently, the outbreak of WWI. e.g. explain the ways in which Militarism played a role in the events of the July Crisis

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