Germany's Promise To Austria-Hungary: Preventing Serbian Aggression

The Sarajevo Crisis, also known as the July Crisis, was a series of diplomatic and military escalations between the major powers of Europe in the summer of 1914, which ultimately led to the outbreak of World War I. The crisis began on 28 June 1914, when Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist, assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg.

Austria-Hungary sought to inflict a military blow on Serbia, but wary of Russia's reaction, sought a guarantee from its ally, Germany, that Berlin would support Austria in any conflict. Germany guaranteed its support through what came to be known as the blank cheque, but urged Austria-Hungary to attack quickly to localise the war and avoid drawing in Russia.

Austria-Hungary made its ultimatum to Serbia on 23 July, and on 28 July, declared war on Serbia. This declaration of war was the first step towards a wider European conflict, as Russia, France, and Britain were gradually drawn into the war, leading to the formation of two opposing alliances.

Germany's blank cheque to Austria-Hungary

The "blank cheque" was a guarantee of support from Germany to Austria-Hungary following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, on 28 June 1914. The assassination was carried out by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist.

Austria-Hungary sought to inflict a military blow on Serbia, which it viewed as a threat to the unity of its multi-national empire. However, wary of Russia's reaction (Russia being a major supporter of Serbia), Austria-Hungary sought assurance from its ally, Germany, that Berlin would support them in any conflict.

Germany guaranteed its support through what became known as the "blank cheque". However, Berlin urged Austria-Hungary to attack quickly to localise the war and avoid drawing in Russia. Austro-Hungarian leaders deliberated until mid-July before deciding to give Serbia an ultimatum. In the meantime, France met with Russia, reaffirmed their alliance, and agreed to support Serbia against Austria-Hungary in the event of a war.

Austria-Hungary made its ultimatum to Serbia on 23 July. Before Serbia replied, Russia ordered a secret, but noticed, partial mobilisation of its armed forces. Although Russia's military leadership knew they were not yet strong enough for a general war, they believed that the Austro-Hungarian grievance against Serbia was a pretext orchestrated by Germany, and considered a forceful response to be the best course of action.

Germany's "blank cheque" was a significant factor in Austro-Hungarian policy in July 1914. It emboldened Austria-Hungary to take a hard line with Serbia, but also increased the likelihood of a general European war.

The annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina

Background

Bosnia and Herzegovina had been under Austro-Hungarian administration since 1878, when the Congress of Berlin approved the occupation of the Bosnia Vilayet, which officially remained part of the Ottoman Empire. The Austro-Hungarian Army engaged in a major mobilisation effort to prepare for the assault on Bosnia and Herzegovina, commanding a force of 82,113 troops, 13,313 horses and 112 cannons. The occupation was completed on 20 October 1878.

The Annexation

On 5 October 1908, Austria-Hungary announced the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which sparked protestations from all the Great Powers and Austria-Hungary's Balkan neighbours, Serbia and Montenegro. The annexation was announced in Sarajevo two days later, on 7 October. This unilateral action caused an international crisis, which was resolved on 26 February 1909 when the Treaty of Berlin was amended to reflect the fait accompli. The Ottoman Empire recognised the annexation after receiving material compensation and the Austrian-Hungarian garrisons left the Sanjak of Novi Pazar.

Reactions

The annexation caused unrest among the Muslim and Serb population. The Muslims could not believe the sovereignty of the Sultan could be overturned with a proclamation, and that they were now ruled by a Christian emperor. The Serbian Crown Council demanded that the annexation be reversed or that Serbia should receive compensation. In the end, these demands were rejected.

The annexation was also met with a hostile reaction from other European powers. The British were especially angry, denouncing the violation of an international agreement signed by both Austria and Britain. France denounced the scheme. By far the angriest reaction came from Serbia, which called for revenge and began setting up secret guerrilla bands, plotting insurrection in Bosnia.

Outcome

Although the crisis ended with what appeared to be a total Austro-Hungarian diplomatic victory, it permanently damaged relations between Austria-Hungary and its neighbours, especially Serbia, Italy and Russia. Austro-Serbian relations continued to be strained to the point of declaring war on each other in 1914. In the long term, the annexation helped lay the grounds for World War I.

The Bosnian Crisis

The Annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

On 5 or 6 October 1908, Austria-Hungary announced its decision to annex Bosnia and Herzegovina, which had been under its administration since 1878, when the Congress of Berlin approved the occupation of the Bosnia Vilayet. This annexation was a violation of the Treaty of Berlin, which stated that Bosnia and Herzegovina were to be occupied and administered by Austria-Hungary but remain under the sovereignty of the Ottoman Empire.

International Reaction

The annexation caused international tension, particularly in Russia and Serbia. A strong popular opposition to the annexation developed in Russia, and Serbia was angered as it had hoped to unite Bosnia and Herzegovina into one Serbian nation. Serbia demanded that Austria give a portion of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Serbia, and Izvolsky, the Russian Foreign Minister, pressured by anti-Austrian opinion in Russia, had no choice but to support the Serbian claims. Austria-Hungary responded by threatening to invade Serbia, and with Germany as an ally, Russia could not risk a war.

Resolution

In March 1909, Izvolsky notified Germany that Russia accepted Austria's annexation, and the crisis was resolved. However, the Bosnian Crisis embittered relations between Serbia and Austria-Hungary, and it contributed to the underlying tensions that ignited when Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo in 1914.

Austria-Hungary's ultimatum to Serbia

On the evening of July 23, 1914, nearly a month after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife by a young Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo, Bosnia, the Austro-Hungarian ambassador to Serbia, Baron Giesl von Gieslingen, delivered an ultimatum to the Serbian foreign ministry. The ultimatum, formulated in six points, demanded that the Serbian government:

• Officially distance itself from the political campaign to unite the southern Slav peoples under Serbian leadership, challenging the territorial integrity of Austria-Hungary.
• Purge the Serbian army and civil service of anti-Austrian agitators.
• Suppress anti-Austrian propaganda in the Serbian press.
• Take legal action against extremist secret organisations operating against Austria, including the Black Hand, believed to have aided the assassins by providing weapons and safe passage.
• Allow Austrian officials to participate in the investigation and prosecution of the ringleaders on Serbian territory, despite this being a violation of Serbia's state sovereignty.
• Carry out these demands within 48 hours.

The ultimatum was designed to be unacceptable to Serbia, with the intention of provoking a military conflict that Austria hoped would end quickly and decisively before other European powers, particularly Serbia's ally Russia, could react. However, Serbia's response, delivered just before the deadline, accepted all terms except the participation of Austrian officials in the investigation on Serbian soil. This led to Austria-Hungary breaking off diplomatic relations with Serbia and declaring war on July 28, 1914, marking the beginning of World War I.

The July Crisis

The Blank Cheque

Following the murder, Austria-Hungary sought to inflict a military blow on Serbia, to demonstrate its own strength and to dampen Serbian support for Yugoslav nationalism, viewing it as a threat to the unity of its multi-national empire. However, wary of the reaction of Russia (a major supporter of Serbia), Austria-Hungary sought a guarantee from its ally, Germany, that Berlin would support Austria in any conflict. Germany guaranteed its support through what came to be known as the "blank cheque", but urged Austria-Hungary to attack quickly to localise the war and avoid drawing in Russia.

The Ultimatum

On 23 July, Austria-Hungary made its ultimatum to Serbia, demanding that Belgrade formally and publicly condemned the "dangerous propaganda" against Austria-Hungary, the ultimate aim of which, it claimed, was to "detach from the Monarchy territories belonging to it". Moreover, Belgrade should "suppress by every means this criminal and terrorist propaganda". Most European foreign ministries recognised that the ultimatum was formulated in terms so harsh that the Serbs would be unable to accept it. Additionally, Serbia was only given 48 hours to comply.

The Partial Mobilisation

Before Serbia replied, Russia ordered a secret, but noticed, partial mobilisation of its armed forces. Though Russia's military leadership knew they were not yet strong enough for a general war, they believed that the Austro-Hungarian grievance against Serbia was a pretext orchestrated by Germany, and considered a forceful response to be the best course of action. Russia’s partial mobilisation—the first major military action not undertaken by a direct participant in the conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia—increased the willingness of Serbia to defy the threat of an Austro-Hungarian attack; it also alarmed the German leadership, having not anticipated the idea of needing to fight Russia before France.

The War

On 28 July, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. This declaration of war set off a domino effect of mobilisation orders and declarations of war by Europe’s major powers which resulted in a war that far exceeded what they had planned or wanted.

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