Serbia's Ultimatum: Austria's 10 Demands That Sparked World War I

On 23 July 1914, Austria-Hungary issued Serbia with an ultimatum containing six concrete demands to prevent an escalation of conflict. The demands were formulated to be as unacceptable as possible, with the sixth point infringing on Serbia's state sovereignty by requiring Austrian officials to participate in investigations on Serbian territory. Serbia was required to react within 48 hours, and the initial consequence of non-compliance was to be the breaking off of diplomatic relations, with war as the likely next step. Serbia's answer arrived within the 48-hour period, accepting most demands but rejecting the infringement of its sovereignty. Austria refused to consider further negotiations, making it clear that it was not interested in a diplomatic solution.

Serbia must condemn anti-Austrian propaganda

The sixth of the ten demands made by Austria-Hungary to Serbia in July 1914 was that Serbia must condemn anti-Austrian propaganda. This demand was formulated in such a way as to make Serbian acceptance unlikely. Austria-Hungary demanded that Serbia suppress publications that "incite hatred and contempt" for the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and are "directed against its territorial integrity". This included the suppression of anti-Austrian propaganda in the Serbian press.

Austria-Hungary also demanded that Serbia dissolve the Serbian nationalist organisation Narodna Odbrana ("The People's Defence") and all other such societies in Serbia. In addition, Serbia was to eliminate from schoolbooks and public documents all "propaganda against Austria-Hungary".

The Austro-Hungarian government was concerned to make the demands as unacceptable as possible. The sixth point in particular was formulated in a way that infringed upon Serbia's state sovereignty. The demand was that Austrian officials should take part in the investigation into the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and in the hunting down and prosecution of the ringleaders on Serbian territory.

Serbia was required to react within 48 hours. The initial consequence of Serbia not accepting the demands was to be the breaking off of diplomatic relations. Although there was no explicit threat of war, it was clear that this would be the next step.

Serbia must suppress anti-Austrian organisations

The sixth of Austria's ten demands to Serbia was that Serbia must suppress anti-Austrian organisations. This demand was formulated in such a way as to make Serbian acceptance unlikely, as it would infringe upon Serbia's state sovereignty. Specifically, Austria demanded that Serbian officials be dismissed at their whim, and that Austrian officials be allowed to participate in the suppression of anti-Austrian organisations and the judicial proceedings against their members.

Austria was concerned about the political campaign to unite the southern Slav peoples under Serbian leadership, which challenged the territorial integrity of Austria-Hungary. In addition, anti-Austrian propaganda was prevalent in the Serbian press, and there were anti-Austrian agitators in the Serbian army and civil service. Austria wanted to track down and take legal proceedings against extremist secret organisations operating against Austria, particularly those involved in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Serbia's response to this demand was that it was unprecedented in relations between sovereign states, but they nevertheless agreed to submit the matter to international arbitration. However, Austria was not interested in a diplomatic solution and was determined to make war on Serbia.

Serbia must allow Austrian officials to investigate the assassination

The sixth of the ten demands Austria-Hungary made to Serbia following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was that Austrian officials be allowed to participate in the investigation into the assassination and the hunting down and prosecution of the ringleaders on Serbian territory. This demand was a clear infringement on Serbia's state sovereignty and was designed to be unacceptable to Serbia.

Austria-Hungary's ultimatum to Serbia was drafted to be deliberately provocative and unacceptable. The sixth demand was a direct response to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which had occurred on 28 June 1914. The Archduke, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, had been shot and killed by Bosnian Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip. Austria-Hungary sought to use the opportunity to settle the score with Serbia, which it viewed as a threat to the unity of its multi-national empire.

Austria-Hungary's foreign office decided to place the responsibility for the assassination on the Serbian government and demanded full satisfaction. The sixth demand was part of this strategy. Allowing Austrian officials to participate in the investigation and prosecution of the assassins on Serbian soil would be a clear sign of Serbian submission to Austria-Hungary.

Serbia's response to the ultimatum was delivered within the 48-hour deadline on 25 July. Serbia accepted the majority of the demands but rejected the sixth demand concerning the participation of Austrian officials in investigations on Serbian sovereign territory. This was unsurprising given the infringement on state sovereignty that this demand entailed. However, Austria-Hungary was determined to go to war with Serbia and was uninterested in a diplomatic solution. On 28 July 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.

Serbia must dismiss anti-Austrian government officials

The sixth of the ten demands Austria-Hungary made of Serbia in July 1914 was that Serbia dismiss certain government officials. This demand was made in the context of the investigation into the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by a Bosnian Serb nationalist. The sixth demand was:

> [T]he demand was that Austrian officials should take part in the investigation into the assassination and in the hunting down and prosecution of the ring-leaders on Serbian territory, which would have infringed Serbia’s state sovereignty.

The wording of the demand was such that it was unlikely to be accepted by Serbia, as it would mean giving up some of its state sovereignty. Indeed, Serbia did reject this demand, despite accepting the majority of the others.

The Austrian government had been convinced for some time that war with Serbia was inevitable, and the assassination of Franz Ferdinand was used as a pretext for a final reckoning. The sixth demand was part of a deliberately provocative ultimatum, the rejection of which would justify military action.

Serbia must prevent Serbian authorities from smuggling weapons

The sixth point of the ultimatum was specifically designed to be unacceptable to Serbia. Austria demanded that Austrian officials be allowed to participate in the investigation of the assassination and the pursuit and prosecution of the ringleaders on Serbian territory. This would have been an infringement of Serbia's state sovereignty.

Austria-Hungary was concerned about the smuggling of weapons by Serbian authorities. The sixth point of the ultimatum was intended to address this issue. By allowing Austrian officials to participate in the investigation and prosecution of the assassins, Austria-Hungary hoped to prevent further weapons smuggling by Serbian authorities.

Serbia's response to the sixth point was that it was unprecedented in relations between sovereign states. However, they agreed to submit the matter to international arbitration. Despite this offer, Austria-Hungary was not interested in a diplomatic solution and broke off diplomatic relations.

The sixth point of the ultimatum was a significant factor in the escalation of tensions between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. By demanding participation in the investigation and prosecution of the assassins, Austria-Hungary challenged Serbia's state sovereignty and made it clear that they were not interested in a diplomatic solution to the crisis. This ultimately led to the outbreak of World War I.

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