Germany's Support For Austria-Hungary: Early War Strategies

Germany's support for Austria-Hungary was a key factor in the outbreak of World War I. Germany encouraged Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia on 28 July 1914, and guaranteed its backing. This declaration of war was based on the July Ultimatum, a list of ten demands presented to Serbia by Austria-Hungary, which Serbia was expected to reject. When Serbia accepted nine of the demands and partially accepted the tenth, Austria-Hungary declared war, knowing that this risked war with Russia, Serbia's supporter. Germany's support for Austria-Hungary was part of its policy to support a swift war to destroy Serbia.

Germany encouraged Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia

Austria-Hungary was prepared to risk war with Russia, Serbia's supporter, because it had the backing of Germany. Germany's policy was to support a swift war to destroy Serbia that would present a fait accompli to the world. Germany's violation of Belgian neutrality and British fears of German domination in Europe brought Britain and its empire into the war on 4 August.

Germany guaranteed to back Austria-Hungary

Germany's policy was to support a swift war to destroy Serbia that would present a fait accompli to the world. Germany's backing of Austria-Hungary was part of a wider context of growing nationalism, increased militarism, imperial rivalry and competition for power and influence. Europe's leaders were willing to go to war to defend or extend national interests and their choices were shaped by a combination of long and short-term foreign policy goals, political pressures at home, previous crises, and the system of opposing alliances that had developed over the previous 35 years.

Austria-Hungary, with German encouragement, issued an ultimatum on 23 July, intent on starting a war with Serbia. Serbia's sovereignty would be destroyed if it accepted the terms in full, but any reply other than unconditional acceptance would give Austria-Hungary its excuse for war. When Serbia accepted nine of the ten demands but only partially accepted the remaining one, Austria-Hungary declared war.

On 6 August 1914, Emperor Franz Joseph signed the declaration of war on Russia. Russia's support of Serbia brought France into the conflict. Germany declared war on Russia on 1 August and France on 3 August.

Germany declared war on Russia and France

Germany declared war on Russia on 1 August 1914 and France on 3 August 1914. This was in support of its ally, Austria-Hungary, which had declared war on Serbia on 28 July 1914. Russia's support of Serbia brought France into the conflict. Germany's violation of Belgian neutrality and British fears of German domination in Europe brought Britain and its empire into the war on 4 August 1914.

Austria-Hungary had issued an ultimatum to Serbia on 23 July 1914, with the backing of Germany. Serbia's sovereignty would be destroyed if it accepted the terms in full, but any reply other than unconditional acceptance would give Austria-Hungary its excuse for war. Serbia accepted nine out of ten demands but only partially accepted the remaining one, which Austria-Hungary used as an excuse to declare war.

Germany's policy was to support a swift war to destroy Serbia that would present a fait accompli to the world. Germany was also concerned about growing nationalism, increased militarism, imperial rivalry and competition for power and influence.

Germany violated Belgian neutrality

On 23 July 1914, Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia, with the backing of Germany. The terms of the ultimatum were such that Serbia's sovereignty would be destroyed if it accepted them in full, but any reply other than unconditional acceptance would give Austria-Hungary its excuse for war. On 28 July, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. This risked war with Russia, Serbia's supporter, but Austria-Hungary was prepared to take this risk because it had the guarantee of German support. Germany's violation of Belgian neutrality and British fears of German domination in Europe brought Britain and its empire into the war on 4 August. Germany's support for Austria-Hungary was part of its policy to support a swift war to destroy Serbia that would present a fait accompli to the world.

Germany supported a swift war to destroy Serbia

Germany had long supported Austria-Hungary's desire for war with Serbia. In 1912, Austria-Hungary had asked for German diplomatic support for a war against Serbia, but it was felt that the political conditions for such a war did not yet exist. By 1914, however, the political climate had changed, and Germany was willing to support a swift war to destroy Serbia.

Germany's backing gave Austria-Hungary the confidence to confront Serbia militarily. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand provided the perfect excuse, and Austria-Hungary presented Serbia with a list of ten demands, knowing that Serbia would be unable to accept them all. When Serbia's reply was not what they wanted, Austria-Hungary declared war.

Germany's support for Austria-Hungary's war with Serbia had far-reaching consequences. Russia's mobilisation in support of Serbia set off a series of counter-mobilisations, ultimately leading to the start of World War I.

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