The Balkans, located in the southeastern corner of Europe, were caught between the expanding and assertive Russian Empire along with the growing Austro-Hungarian empire on one side and the retreating Ottoman Empire on the other. Additionally, the local nationalities wanted to assert their independence and become independent nation-states. Thus, the growing sense of nationalism connected back to the larger nineteenth century trends and created an explosive situation in an area of the world few people in Europe knew or cared much about. The Russo-Turkey War of 1877 resulted in the defeat of the Ottomans Turks. Moreover, it allowed Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria and Montenegro to formally proclaim their respective independence from the Ottoman Empire and occasioned the Austro-Hungarian occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Bosnian Crisis of 1908 was started when Austria-Hungary announced the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This move permanently damaged relations between Austria-Hungary on the one hand and Russia and Serbia on the other. Starting in 1908, the Balkan Wars were characterized by two conflicts between the new Balkan States and the Ottoman Empire. The first conflict greatly affected the Ottomans who began thinking of future face-saving measures,and even revenge.On the other hand, the second conflict in 1913 witnessed fighting among the Balkan states.

Figure 3: The immediate reaction to the assassination–Attacks against Serbs in Sarajevo

The assassination of Austrian Archduke and heir to the throne, Franz Ferdinand–along with his wife, Sophie Chotek, and bodyguard, on June 28, 1914–pushed Europe unexpectedly to war. The assassin, Gavrilo Princip, was a Serbian nationalist and was connected to the Black Hand; a secret Serbian nationalist organization. Ironically, the Archduke was a reformist, intent on helping the various nationalities in the empire.This made him unpopular at the court. Ultimately, Austro-Hungarian authorities captured the assassins and sentenced them to between 10 years and death by handing. Princip received a sentence of twenty years in prison. In the immediate aftermath, the Austro-Hungarians made a series of demands to the Serbians that they ultimately rejected.

The Austro-Hungarians demanded among other things “(1) To suppress any publication which incites to hatred and contempt of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and the general tendency of which is directed against its territorial integrity; (4) To remove from the military service, and from the administration in general, all officers and functionaries guilty of propaganda against the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy whose names and deeds the Austro-Hungarian Government reserve to themselves the right of communicating to the Royal Government; (8) To prevent by effective measures the cooperation of the Serbian authorities in the illicit traffic in arms and explosives across the frontier.”

Throughout Europe, the assassination made the headlines for a few days before disappearing. In the United Kingdom, more local events such as the tennis tournament at Wimbledon and debates over Irish home rule dominated the newspapers and captured the people’s’ attention. Furthermore, most of the European royalties and government leaders were on vacation for a better portion of the month. In Germany, Wilhelm II pushed for either a quick Austro-Hungarian attack on Serbia or no action. However, the Austro-Hungarians hesitated. Many of their soldiers were home, helping with the summer harvest. Still, Germany seemed to back any Austro-Hungarian response. After the assassination, on July 29, the Austro-Hungarians declared war on Serbia. The Russians responded with the mobilization of their army, forcing the French to also call up their army. Germany declared war on Russia on August 1 and on France on August 3.