Monthly Archives: July 2014

THE CLOUDS ARE BLACKER AND BLACKER

Panic sweeps Europe; Russia and Germany closer and closer to war. Special to The Great War Project (31 July) Austria-Hungary counters yesterday’s order of full Russian mobilization with full mobilization of its own forces against Russia. The Austrian action is taken with the expectation that if Russia declares war, Germany will back Vienna. In the…

RUSSIA MOBILIZES ITS MILITARY: A FATEFUL STEP

Mixed signals and bad intelligence bring fear and mistrust Special to The Great War Project (30 July) Nicky is confused. As a result of the cables from Willy that continue into the early morning hours, the Tsar cancels the general mobilization of Russia’s military he had ordered only a few hours before. Now on this…

HOLDING THEIR BREATH

Another tense day of indecision. Who will make the next move? Special to the Great War Project (29 July) Leaders in Vienna now turn their attention eastward, to Russia. Will Russia intervene to save Serbia if it looks like Austria-Hungary will destroy Serbia? Leaders in Vienna are watching Russia “partially” mobilize its military forces. The…

IT’S WAR! AFTER THE KAISER DECLARES FOR PEACE

Austria-Hungary Shells Belgrade Special to The Great War Project. (28 July) At noon this day, a century ago, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. Tragically, for just an hour before, Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm finally reads the full text of Vienna’s ultimatum to Serbia, and Belgrade’s response. He declares “It is a capitulation of the most humiliating…

VIENNA AND BERLIN FEAR PEACE IS AT HAND

Preparations for war on all sides “purely precautionary.” Special to The Great War Project (27 July) On this Monday, Europe is growing tense. Many are beginning to wonder, what will happen next? It’s nearly two days since Vienna’s ultimatum to Serbia, and nearly nothing is happening. (A flurry of meetings is taking place.) The Russian…

BRITAIN CALLS FOR A PEACE CONFERENCE

Bring all the powers together. It worked before. Special to The Great War Project (26 July) With Austria-Hungary’s ultimatum to Serbia now expired, and Belgrade’s unwillingness to accept all its demands, many expect war to break out on this day a century ago. It does not. British leaders especially do not believe war is inevitable.…

SERBIA SEEKS A WAY OUT BUT THE NOOSE TIGHTENS

War could come at any moment Special to The Great War Project (25 July) Vienna’s ultimatum to Serbia is designed to be rejected. Before it responds to Vienna, Serbia mobilizes for war. Three hours later on this Saturday a century ago the Serbian government sends its response to Vienna. Hoping to avoid war, it’s conciliatory,…

THE LOGIC FOR WAR

Preparations for conflict spread across Europe Special to The Great War Project (24 July) It is a Friday morning, and by 10 a.m. all the big powers in Europe are notified of Austria-Hungary’s ultimatum to Serbia. But why is this a matter that should worry Europe’s powers? After all, it is an ultimatum delivered by…