Long ago in the land of Bosnia, a band of young men, along with a nineteen-year-old student named Gavrilo Princip, gathered to discuss their resentment of the upcoming visit of Archduke Ferdinand to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. Unresolved conflicts arising out of hatred, humiliation, and revenge had led to political unrest in the land of the Balkans. Austro-Hungary had invaded Bosnia years earlier and as heir to its throne, his assassination would send a message loud and clear to the Austro-Hungarian Empire that Bosnia wanted its independence. On June 28, 1914, as the Archduke’s car traveled from the railroad station to the Town Hall in Sarajevo, Serbian Nationalist Gavrilo Princip fatally wounded Archduke Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie.
Allegations that the assassin was aided by members of the Serbian Society, Austro-Hungary gave Serbia an ultimatum on July 3, 1914: That their own officials would be permitted to enter their country to capture and punish those involved in the assassination, and they wanted a reply within forty-eight hours. Serbia perceived this demand as a threat to their independence. Just two minutes away from the forty-eight-hour timeframe, Serbia sent a reply that it would accept all demands except one. Officials from Austro-Hungary would not be permitted to come into their country. The Foreign Minister of Austro-Hungary stated that the reply was unsatisfactory, and declared war on Serbia.
In the early part of the twentieth century, there were peace conferences held in The Hague (International Court of Justice/Netherlands), but there never was an organization set up to handle disputes between countries, so fearful countries would form alliances with other countries, but they had only maintained bitter peace. Austro-Hungary, Germany and Italy formed an Alliance, and France, Russia and Great Britain had previously formed a Triple Entente. As a patron of the Balkan nationalist movement, Russia began mobilizing its army against the advice of both Germany and Great Britain. They suggested Russia allow the two countries to come to a peaceful resolution, but it was too late. In those days, mobilization was almost the same as declaring war.
Germany then declared war on Russia and France; France and Great Britain declared war on Germany and Austro-Hungary. With Italy remaining neutral, Germany and Austro-Hungary became known as the Central Powers. Belgium’s neutrality was guaranteed in 1839 by the Treaty of London. However, Germany demanded the right to passage, and invaded Belgium on August 4, 1914.
And so, declarations of The Great War would echo in Europe, Asia and throughout the world, known today as World War I.