Why did Austria-Hungary Declare War on Serbia?
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, sparked a complex series of events that would eventually lead to the outbreak of World War I. One of the most immediate consequences of the assassination was Austria-Hungary’s declaration of war on Serbia. But why did this happen?
The Assissination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his visit to Sarajevo was aimed at strengthening ties between Bosnia and Herzegovina (then a province of Austro-Hungary) and the rest of the empire. However, while riding in an open carriage through the city, Archduke Franz Ferdinand stopped at a street corner and waved to the crowd from the window of the auto, which led to two conspirators, Nedeljko Čabrinović and Gavril Princip, getting unusually close to the archduke. Princip stepped out and fired two shots: one missed, but another struck the archduke in the neck, who later died from his wound. This event sent a wave of shock and alarm through the Austro-Hungarian Empire and precipitated a chain reaction leading to the outbreak of a global conflict.
Assessing the Situation After the Assassination
Initially, Austria-Hungary sought to punish Serbia, as the assassin was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was controlled by Austria-Hungary at the time. Many saw the assassination as a local issue, but a series of secret bilateral treaties between Austria-Hungary and Germany solidified their alliance and assured Germany’s support in any action taken against Serbia:
• Triple Entente: Austria-Hungary had a long-standing tension with Serbia, dating back to the Balkan wars.
• Triple Allience: Germany and Russia were also at odds and competing for influence in Eastern Europe.
• Anatolian Crisis: Between 1897 and 1909, there had been a series of nationalist conflicts in the region resulting from the Ottoman Empire ‘s decline.
Treaties and Agreements Prior to the Assassination
Before the assassination:
• Bosnian Crisis (1909-1911): Bosnia and Herzegovina had been annexed from the Ottoman Empire in the Treaty of Berlin (1878) and was subsequently managed by Austria-Hungary. This led to several regional conflicts.
• Austro-Hungarian ultimatum was issued to Serbia over concerns about the Serbian minority and the spread of pro-Serb propaganda, seen as a threat to Vienna.
Austria-Hungary’s Declaration of War
On July 23, 1914, Austria-Hungary presented an ultimatum to Serbia**, consisting of ten demands :
| Demand | Content | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suppress extremist parties | Key issue at stake |
| 2 | Dissolve Serbian political societies | Targeted assassination attempts |
| 3 | Prevent anti-Austrian propaganda | Disinfection of anti-Austria ideas |
| 4 | Allow Austro-Hungarian officials to ensure these demands | Guarantee the outcome of the ultimatum |
| 5-7 | Establish diplomatic relation between Austria-Hungary and Serbia | Establish stronger relations |
| 8-10 | Cooperate with Austria-Hungary on matters of internal unrest | Strengthening collaboration between the two countries |
When Serbia refused to accede to these demands and issued a response on June 25, Austria-Hungary declared war against Serbia on July 28, 1914. Serbia, backed by her ally Russia, prepared the country for war. Eventually, the conflict expanded quickly as other European powers with rival alliances became involved
Conclusion
Austria-Hungary’s war declaration on Serbia was set off by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The complex series of secret bilateral treaties and other treaties and agreements in Eastern Europe created a fragile structure. The assassination, therefore, was the immediate consequence, but the deeper explanation was the long-standing resentment, competition, and hidden alliances that threatened regional stability.
