Section 2 – The Guns of August

I. Assassination in Sarajevo

Setting the Scene: Bertha von Suttner devoted her life to peace.

Though the daughter of a noble Austrian military family, she wrote a best-selling antiwar novel

and organized a peace society. Her tireless work won her the nickname "Peace Bertha.” Yet, in April 1913, Suttner wrote in her diary that "the

great European disaster is well on its way. If so many seeds have been sown, surely the weeds

will sprout up soon and surely so much stockpiled gunpowder will explode."

"Peace Bertha" died on June 20,1914. Eight days later, an assassin's bullet set off the

"gunpowder" and ignited a war that engulfed much of the world for four bloody years.

I. Assassination in SarajevoThe crisis began when Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary announced that he would visit Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia

Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his Wife Sophie von Hohenburg Leave the Town Hall in Sarajevo and Get into their Car (June 28, 1914)

I. Assassination in SarajevoAustria-Hungary ruled Bosnia, home to many Serbs and other Slavs, and the visit angered Serbian revolutionaries

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Duchess Sophie at Sarajevo on 28th June, 1914

I. Assassination in Sarajevo

Members of a Serbian terrorist group known as the Black Hand vowed to take action

Seal of the Black Hand

I. Assassination in Sarajevo

On June 28,1914, Serbian terrorist Gavrilo Princip assassinated the archduke and his wife

Gavrilo Princip assassinates Ferdinand and Sophia

II. The Conflict WidensAustrian emperor Francis Joseph’s government saw the incident as an excuse to crush Serbia for good

II. The Conflict WidensAustria sent Serbia an ultimatum that included allowing Austria to investigate the assassination

The arrest of a member of the 'Black Hand' group after the assassination of Franz Ferdinand

II. The Conflict Widens

Serbia did not agree to all of the terms of the ultimatum and Austria declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914

In the aftermath of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, Austria made ten demands of Serbia. An Austrian official would be appointed to monitor the fulfillment of these demands. The Serbians accepted all but this last demand, and war was declared.

II. The Conflict WidensKaiser William II advised Francis Joseph to take a firm stand toward Serbia and assured him of Germany's full support

Kaiser William II wrote to Francis Joseph, advising him to take a firm stand toward Serbia. The Kaiser assured the emperor of Germany's full support. Thus, instead of urging restraint, William II gave Austria a "blank check” of assistance

II. The Conflict WidensSerbia sought help from Russia, and Czar Nicholas urged the Kaiser to ask Austria to soften its demands

Czar Nicholas II of Russia

II. The Conflict Widens

The Kaiser refused to help and Russia began to mobilize, or prepare its military forces for war

Russian Army Mobilization

II. The Conflict Widens

When Russia began to mobilize, Germany responded by declaring war on Russia

Germany/Austria-Hungary versus Russia 

II. The Conflict Widens

Because Russia appealed to its ally France for help, Germany declared war on France

Germany versus France

II. The Conflict Widens

Italy chose to remain neutral and Britain was uncommitted until Germany's war plans made the decision for Britain

II. The Conflict Widens

General Schlieffen had developed a plan of attack against France requiring German armies to march through neutral Belgium

II. The Conflict WidensEuropean powers had signed a treaty guaranteeing Belgian neutrality - when Germany invaded Belgium, Britain declared war

II. The Conflict WidensOnce war plans were set in motion, conflict was inevitable. Now that war had come, it seemed like an exciting adventure to many

"The lamps are going out all over Europe. We shall not see them lit again in our lifetime”

British politician Sir Edward Grey’s comment when the war began