Lesson #12 - Declarations of War

When Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, Germany promises to defend Austria-Hungary against Russia (when Russia supports Serbia). When Russia begins to mobilize its army to support Serbia, Germany declares war on Russia. Two days later, Germany declared war on France (who formed the Franco-Russian alliance with Russian in 1892 and was also a member of the Triple Entente). Germany and France were bitter rivals who had distrusted each other since the Franco-Prussian Wars in 1871 and nearly went to war twice during the Moroccan Crisis.

July 28 Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

July 31 Russia mobilizes against Austria-Hungary (and Germany)

August 1 Germany declares war on Russia

August 3 Germany declares war on France (who had an alliance with Russia)

Germany wanted to avoid war with Britain. Britain wanted to avoid war also and did not declare war on Germany in response to Germany declaring war on Russia and France. However, Germany wanted to avoid a two-front war (war on both borders), so on August 4, 1914 Germany began its invasion of France entering through Belgium. In 1839, under the Treaty of London, Britain promised to protect the neutrality of Belgium. When Germany invaded Belgium on its way to France, Britain declared war on Germany and joined France on Germany’s western front. Italy remained neutral until declaring war on Austria-Hungary in the summer of 1915.

August 4 Germany invade Belgium

August 4 Britain declares war on Germany

May 23 Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary

Once World War I breaks out, Germany and Austria-Hungary become known as the Central Powers, while most of the rest of Europe becomes known as the Allies.