© Boardworks Ltd 2006 1 of 24 © Boardworks Ltd 2006 1 of 24 International Relations 1900–1939...

© Boardworks Ltd 20061 of 24 © Boardworks Ltd 20061 of 24

International Relations1900–1939

Why did the Assassination in Sarajevo Lead to War?

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Learning objectives

What we will learn in this presentation:


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Why the Serbs and the Austro-Hungarians were such enemies.

What happened on 28th June 1914.

How the assassination led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia.

Why the conflict escalated into a wider European war.


Europe quiz


The Balkans revisited

Austria-Hungary had annexed (taken over) part of the Balkans called Bosnia Herzegovina in 1908.

A sizeable part of the of Bosnian population were Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs were tired of their Austro-Hungarian rulers – they wanted to live in an independent Slavic state.

Many wanted to join with the neighbouring state of Serbia to form a “Greater Serbia”.


The assassination

One such Bosnian Serb was Gavrilo Princip, a student who had joined a terrorist group called the Black Hand.

The Black Hand were committed to the unification of Bosnia-Herzegovina with Serbia.

They trained in Serbia using weapons supplied by the Serb military intelligence chief (who was also head of the terrorist group).

Who are the Black Hand likely to attack in order to achieve their aim of unifying Bosnia and Serbia?

Image courtesy of The World War I Document Archive.

http://www.gwpda.org/


The assassination

Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand

The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand planned to visit the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, on the 28th June 1914.

As well as a chance to inspect troops in Bosnia, the trip was also a gift for his wife, Sophie, to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

Princip and other young members of the Black Hand travelled to Sarajevo, intent on assassinating the Arch Duke.




The assassination


It is nothing

Franz Ferdinand, his wife Sophie

and their children

“It is nothing,” said the Arch Duke as he lay dying.

At first it looked as though the assassination, though shocking, really would result in nothing.

The German Kaiser, who was yachting at the time, was unsure whether he even needed to cancel the race he was attending!

At first no-one saw it as a spark to war. It was over a month before Austria-Hungary declared war.

Why was the assassination important?




The consequences of the assassination

It took time for Austro-Hungarian officials to implicate the Serbian state in the assassination.

The Germans sent assurances that they would support the Austro-Hungarians. This promise is sometime referred to as the ‘blank cheque’ – the German government said it would support Austria no matter what actions it decided to take over the assassination.

The Emperor, Franz Joseph, and the Austro-Hungarian government thought that as long as Germany supported their attack on Serbia, the Russians would not dare get involved.




The consequences of the assassination

Three weeks after the assassination, Austria-Hungary sent Serbia an ultimatum.

The Austrians held Serbia responsible for the assassination and demanding that the Serb government round up anti-Austrian agitators.

The Austro-Hungarians knew that Serbia could not agree to the terms of the ultimatum. The refusal of Serbia to grant the demands would provide Austria-Hungary with the reason they wanted to declare war.

How important do you think the assassination was in starting the First World War?


Tension in Europe – a recap


The road to war

In 1914, Europe was primed for war.

It was not only the politicians who were anticipating war – rearmament and frequent war scares had caused European society to become increasingly militaristic and nationalistic.

Each side had long prepared for war. They had written plans, books and policies on what to do. These plans also played a part in the outbreak of large-scale war in 1914.

Many people not only expected war, but welcomed it.




The war plans of Europe


The Schlieffen Plan

It was an ambitious plan designed to avoid Germany having to fight a two-front war against France and Russia.

The plan was to invade France and capture Paris before the Russians could mobilize.

German speed

slow Russian mobilization

Britain staying out of the war.

The most influential plan was that of Germany – the Schlieffen Plan.

It relied on three things:


Britain’s position

Britain’s position in 1914 was complicated.

Despite having alliances with France and Russia, Britain had made no firm promises to help them in war.

However, Britain had promised to protect the neutrality of Belgium if she was ever attacked.

The Schlieffen Plan required the German army to attack France through Belgium. The German generals gambled that Britain would not keep her promise to defend Belgium.

For a scrap of paper,

Great Britain is going to make war?

Bethmann-Hollweg, German Chancellor




The outbreak of war


The start of the war

The Schleiffen plan was supposed to win the war for Germany. However, things did not go according to plan.

The French and Belgian forces offered stiff resistance, helped by the small, but effective British Expeditionary Force (BEF). The Germans were not able to reach Paris in the six weeks they had planned.

By 4th September 1914, the Germans were in sight of Paris, but they were forced to turn back. The French had been able to divert troops to defend their capital thanks to the French rail network.

The Germans were stopped at the Battle of the Marne and Paris was saved.

The BEFImage courtesy of The World

War I Document Archive.



The start of the war


The Schleiffen Plan in reality

Why do you think von Moltke said this?

Whilst the German advance in the west was grinding slowly on, the Russian army was mobilizing with surprising speed.

Germany had expected Russian mobilization to take 6 weeks. Russian forces entered German territory on 17th August – just 16 days after Germany had declared war.

The Schlieffen Plan had failed and a quick victory was now impossible. Both sides in the west were forced to dig in. Soon, the war of mobility lead to a war in the trenches.

The leader of the German military, Helmuth von Moltke, on hearing of the Russian mobilization told the Kaiser…

The war is lost!


Extension question

To get 3–4 marks, you could give a detailed description of one or two of the following aspects:

1. Describe how the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand led to the outbreak of the First World War.

[6]

Austria-Hungary’s ultimatum, its effect and why it was rejected

Explanation of the relationships between Austria-Hungary and the Serbs; Russia and the Serbs; Russia and Austria-Hungary; Austria-Hungary and Germany

The Schlieffen Plan

The various alliances in Europe.


Extension question

1. Describe how the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand led to the outbreak of the First World War.

[6]

E.g. you could give an outline description of the assassination and the outbreak of war.

Limited descriptions of a wider range of the aspects mentioned would also get you 3–4 marks.

In order to get 5–6 marks, you need to give detailed descriptions of a number of aspects.

You need to describe in detail at least two of the points mentioned on the previous slide.


Extension question

2. To what extent was war already unavoidable before the assassination of Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand?

[10]

This a full essay question.

You need to write at least 4 paragraphs:

introduction

case against the war being unavoidable

case for the war being unavoidable

your decision in the conclusion.


Extension question

Introduction Context. Briefly explain the outbreak of WW1 Explain what the question is asking Explain how you intend to answer it.Main Paragraphs Remember in your main paragraphs, PEEL: make your Point, then show your Evidence,

then Explain your views on this. Finally, you

should Link to your next paragraph or point. Conclusion Sum up your analysis and come to an overall judgement that answers the question.

© Boardworks Ltd 2006 1 of 24 © Boardworks Ltd 2006 1 of 24 International Relations 1900–1939...

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