WORLD WAR, the war fought be tween Serbia, Russia, France, Belgium, England, Japan, Italy, the United States and their allies (generally termed the Allies), and Austria-Hungary, Ger many, Bulgaria, and Turkey (known as the Central Powers). It began on July '28, 1914, with Austria-Hungary's declar ation of war on Serbia, and ended on November 11, 1918, with the granting of an armistice to Germany on the part of the Allies.
The Deeper Causes, Efforts for Peace. —The assassination of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne, and his consort at Sarajevo. capital of Bosnia, on June 28, 1914, pre cipitated the World War but it was not the cause. The million Slays of Serbian race in Austria-Hungary had long as pired to unite with their brothers in Serbia in the formation of a great Ser bian Empire, and in this purpose they were encouraged by the government of Belgrade. Austria recognized the men ace that threatened the disruption of the Empire, and in 1913 had sounded Italy on the question of striking a decisive blow at Serbia, but net with no encour agement. The Dual Monarchy, assured of Germany's support, only waited for a favorable opportunity to attack Serbia.
The crime of Sarajevo provided a cause for making war, for demands were made on the little kingdom which no sovereign state could honorably accept. Germany shared with her ally the fear of a great Slavic union and there were other scores to be settled when she was strong enough and conditions seemed favorable for making war on her en emies. The Austro-Serbian embroglio offered that opportunity. Germany since the accession of William II. dreamed of a World Empire, but wherever she at tempted to extend her dominions she found France or England had been be fore her, while the Monroe Doctrine blocked her way in South America. In 1906, 1908, and 1912 navy bills were passed by the Reichstag that resulted in the building of a navy second only to that of England. Germany's arrogant and aggressive attitude alarmed her neighbors. France was already in alli ance with Russia and the Anglo-Russian agreement of 1907 completed the triple understanding. For eight years Ger many tried to break up the Entente by alternately threatening and making friendly advances. Austria annexed Bos nia and Herzegovina in 1908. Russia, France and England protested but were unprepared for war in such a cause. Germany supporting Austria waved her shining sword and treated the protest with contempt, but the Entente survived the blow firm and unimpaired. In 1908 Germany despatched the "Panther" to Agadir, a direct provocation to France, but Great Britain's support averted war and Germany was pacified by the cession of a portion of the French Congo. Other disappointments for Germany followed. The Italian annexation of Tripoli and Cyrenaica after the war of 1911 ended German hopes in these territories. She believed that Turkey would win in the Balkan War that followed, but the re sult was that a new and formidable Slav power now stood in the way of her peaceful absorption of the Ottoman Em pire, while Russian protection of Slav nations became an increasing and power ful menace. Germany had become the
greatest military power on earth, with a peace strength of 870,000 men. The growth of socialism threatened the mon archy. The Military party backed by monarchists, Junkers, and agrarians be lieved that the hour was at hand when Germany could measure strength with her enemies and become the World Em pire that for three decades had been the dream of the governing class.
Through servile professors and a sub sidized press the people were educated to share the same view. On July 25 Aus tria presented a note to Serbia the com plete acceptance of which would have forced Serbia to resign her independent and rights as a sovereign state. Serbia agreed to fulfill all de mands but two, which she offered to sub ized her southern commands. Germany now made a bid for British neutrality, promising that no territorial acquisi tion would be made at the expense of France should she prove victorious in war. The German Government however, would make no such promises regarding French colonies. As regards Belgium the integrity of the kingdom would be respected after the war provided she had not sided against Germany. On July 30, Sir Edward Grey rejected Ger many's offer to secure Britain's neutral ity and proposed a new Council of Eu rope to consider the crisis. On July 31, Germany issued an ultimatum to Russia demanding immediate demobilization. Sir Edward Grey asked Germany and France if they would respect Belgium's neutrality provided no other nation at tempted to violate it. France agreed at once, but Germany was silent. Telegrams passed between Kaiser, Czar and British king, but Germany declined all attempts mit to The Hague Conference. Austria insisted on complete acceptance and be ing refused, her minister at Belgrade left on the following day. Sir Edward Grey suggested to Germany, France and Italy the calling of a conference to mediate in the quarrel. Germany alone declined on the ground that Russia and Austria were then trying to settle the difficulty. On July 28, Austria declared war on Serbia and bombarded Belgrade; Belgium mobilized; Germany recalled her High Sea Fleet and Britain assem bled her naval forces. Following Aus tria's invasion of Serbia, Russia mobil to avert the crisis. In the evening of Saturday, August 1, Germany declared war on Russia. On August 3, Sir Ed ward Grey in the House of Commons described the situation. Britain was bound by treaty obligations to protect the neutrality of Belgium. On the same date King Albert asked for help. Britain was not bound to France by any offen sive or defensive alliance, but had given France the assurance that if the Ger man fleet attacked her coasts, or ship ping, the British fleet would act. Ger many had demanded a free passage through Belgium for her armies, and Belgium refused categorically. The British ambassador at Berlin was in structed to ask the German Government if Belgium's neutrality would be re spected. At 7 p. m. August 4, Sir Ed ward Goschen was handed his passports; Germany and Great Britain were at war.