Introduction to WW1: Causes and Early Developments

Causes and Early Developments

28th June 1914 - Trigger Event

• Assasination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand 
• Led to diplomatic crisis - July Crisis
• Also led to start of war on 28th July 1914
• Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia

Schlifeffen Plan

• Designed by German Military to avoid fighting on two fronts - France + Russia
• Anticipated Russia would be slow to mobilise
• So troops could focus on France and quickly defeat them 
• Then turn their attention to Russia.

4th August 1914

• The German invasion of Belgium violated the country's neutralitily - gauranteed by Britain and Prusian in Treaty of…