Damon Mcknight
Germany and Austria-Hungary's alliance at the start of World War I was commonly known as the blank check assurance. In July 1914, Germany offered Austria-Hungary unconditional support following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne. This assurance gave Austro-Hungarian leaders the confidence to declare war on Serbia, bringing Russia, Belgium, France, Great Britain and Serbia against Austria-Hungary and Germany, and igniting World War I.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date Germany began to assist Austria | 5 July 1914 |
| Nature of assistance | Kaiser Wilhelm pledged his support to Austria-Hungary, giving them a "blank check" assurance of Germany's backing in the case of war |
| Germany's actions | Germany declared war on Russia on 1 August 1914 and France on 3 August 1914 |
| Germany's violation of Belgian neutrality | Germany invaded France through neutral Belgium, bringing Britain and its empire into the war on 4 August 1914 |
| German-Austrian alliance | An alliance was formed in 1879, which Italy joined in 1882 |
| German military assistance to Austria-Hungary | German reinforcements helped Austria-Hungary win the Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo (October 1917) |
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What You'll Learn
Germany's alliance with Austria-Hungary
The origins of Germany's alliance with Austria-Hungary date back to 1871, when German unification dramatically altered the balance of power in Europe. This new power bloc in Central Europe was strengthened when Germany formed an alliance with neighbouring Austria-Hungary in 1879, which Italy joined three years later. The alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary was further solidified by their shared rivalry with Serbia, which they both viewed as a threat to their imperial ambitions.
In the years leading up to World War I, tensions between Austria-Hungary and Serbia escalated due to Austria's annexation of Bosnia in 1908 and Serbia's ambitions to unify the Slavic people of Southeast Europe. On June 28, 1914, these tensions culminated in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austrian throne, by a Bosnian-Serb terrorist. This assassination catalysed a series of events that led to the outbreak of World War I.
On July 5, 1914, Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany secretly pledged his support to Austria-Hungary, assuring them of Germany's backing in the event of war. Emboldened by this assurance, Austria-Hungary sent an ultimatum to Serbia with harsh terms designed to provoke a conflict. As expected, Serbia responded by mobilising its army and requesting assistance from Russia, a key Serbian ally.
On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary, with German encouragement, declared war on Serbia. This declaration marked the official start of World War I, as Russia's support for Serbia brought other European powers into the conflict. Germany's alliance with Austria-Hungary was a significant factor in the escalation of tensions and the eventual outbreak of World War I.
During World War I, Germany and Austria-Hungary fought together against the Allied Powers, which included Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and other nations. The two Central Powers coordinated their military strategies and provided reinforcements for each other on various fronts. For example, in the Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo, also known as the Battle of Caporetto in October 1917, German reinforcements helped Austria-Hungary achieve a decisive victory. However, despite their alliance and joint efforts, Germany and Austria-Hungary ultimately lost the war, and the conflict concluded in 1918 with the defeat of the Central Powers.
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German support for Austria-Hungary against Serbia
On June 28, 1914, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his wife were assassinated by a Serbian-backed terrorist. This assassination was the catalyst for the First World War. The already tense relationship between Austria-Hungary and Serbia worsened as Austria-Hungary saw Serbia as a threat to the stability of its multi-ethnic empire. Austria-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia in 1908 and Serbia's ambitions to unify southeast Europe's Slavic people had previously strained relations.
Austria-Hungary, with German encouragement, declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. Germany had promised Austria-Hungary full support for a severe response against Serbia on July 5, 1914. Germany's foreign policy was driven by its ambitions, perception of isolation, and increasing fear of 'encirclement'. On July 23, 1914, Austria-Hungary, acting with the full support of its allies in Berlin, issued an ultimatum to Serbia. The ultimatum demanded that all anti-Austrian propaganda within Serbia be suppressed and that Austria-Hungary be allowed to conduct its own investigation into the archduke's killing.
Serbia's response to the ultimatum effectively accepted all terms but one: it would not allow Austria-Hungary to participate in any internal inquiry. Austria-Hungary broke diplomatic relations with Serbia on July 25 and began military preparedness measures. Germany worked diplomatically to contain the effects of the ultimatum, but the other great powers believed that Austria-Hungary was not acting alone. On July 28, 1914, after pressure from Germany for quick action, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.
Russia's support of Serbia brought France into the conflict. Germany declared war on Russia on August 1 and France on August 3. Germany's violation of Belgian neutrality and British fears of German domination in Europe brought Britain and its empire into the war on August 4.
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The Schlieffen Plan
Recognising that Germany was outnumbered and surrounded by the alliance between France and Russia, with only Austria-Hungary as an ally, Schlieffen proposed a risky manoeuvre. He suggested invading France through the neutral low countries of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, rather than across their shared border. This strategy aimed to circumvent the extensive fortifications France had built along its border with Germany. Schlieffen believed that Russia would take longer to mobilise than France, so Germany should focus almost all its resources on swiftly defeating France first.
However, the Schlieffen Plan was controversial within Germany. The German navy opposed it because it directed resources towards land engagements rather than battleship development. Schlieffen's insistence on an immediate attack on France in 1905 as a "preventive war" was rebuffed, and he was dismissed. His successor, Helmuth von Moltke, made significant changes to the plan, including reducing the size of the attacking army. When World War I broke out in 1914, Germany implemented a modified version of the Schlieffen Plan, but it was never fully realised as he had envisioned.
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German nationalism
On 28 July 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, marking the start of World War I. This declaration was made with German encouragement, as Kaiser Wilhelm had secretly pledged his support, giving Austria-Hungary a "blank check" assurance of Germany's backing in the event of war. This assurance emboldened Austria-Hungary to send an ultimatum to Serbia, with terms designed to be nearly impossible to accept.
The roots of German encouragement for Austria-Hungary in World War I can be traced back to the growing nationalism and power of Germany in Europe. German unification in 1871 dramatically altered the balance of power, creating a strong power bloc in Central Europe. This power bloc was further strengthened when Germany formed an alliance with neighbouring Austria-Hungary in 1879, which Italy joined later. The rise of German strength stoked fears in other European powers, leading to shifting alliances and an arms race, particularly with Britain.
Fast forward to the 1930s, and German nationalism took a darker turn with the rise of Nazism and Adolf Hitler. In March 1938, Germany annexed Austria, an event known as the "Anschluss" or "joining." This annexation was driven by Hitler's expansionist ideology and a desire to incorporate ethnic Germans outside Germany into a "Greater Germany." The Nazis cultivated pro-unification tendencies in Austria, undermining the Austrian government, which opposed unification.
The annexation of Austria was marked by pogrom-like violence against Austrian Jews and the enforcement of antisemitic policies. This violence was perpetrated by Austrian Nazis, who had been waging a propaganda and terror campaign since 1933. The annexation was widely popular in both Germany and Austria, with enthusiastic crowds greeting German troops in Austrian cities. However, thousands of Austrians also tried to escape, anticipating the cruelty of Nazi rule.
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German military technology
On 28 July 1914, Austria-Hungary, with German encouragement, declared war on Serbia. This marked the beginning of Germany's assistance to Austria in World War I. Germany's involvement in the conflict escalated as Russia's support of Serbia brought France into the war, leading Germany to declare war on Russia and France in quick succession.
Now, let's shift our focus to German military technology during World War I:
The First World War witnessed a significant evolution in military technology, and Germany was at the forefront of many innovations that forever changed the nature of warfare. Here are some key aspects of German military technology during this conflict:
- Aircraft and Aerial Warfare: Germany quickly recognised the potential of aircraft in combat. German fighter pilots like Baron Manfred von Richthofen, also known as 'The Red Baron', became renowned for their aerial prowess. Germany's use of aircraft included offensive roles such as bombing and artillery spotting, as well as reconnaissance operations for photography and surveillance.
- Anti-Aircraft Weapons: In response to the growing aerial threat, Germany developed and deployed effective anti-aircraft weapons. By 1917, Germany introduced a high-velocity 88mm artillery gun specifically designed to target aircraft. This weapon allowed German gunners to more accurately calculate their bearings and successfully engage enemy planes.
- Trench Warfare and Barbed Wire: The adoption of trench warfare was a defining feature of World War I. Germany, along with the other combatants, utilised trenches to protect their troops and create defensive lines. Barbed wire, often stretched between trenches, served as an effective obstacle to enemy movement, further shaping the nature of combat.
- Machine Guns: The machine gun was another game-changer in World War I. German machine guns, capable of mowing down rows of enemy soldiers from a distance, made crossing open terrain extremely hazardous. This technology, combined with barbed wire and mines, contributed to the stalemate and static nature of the fighting along entrenched fronts.
- Chemical Warfare: Germany was the first to employ poison gas as a weapon on the Western Front, using it during the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915. This horrific innovation caused widespread horror and vengeance, leading to international efforts to ban chemical warfare in future conflicts.
- Tanks and Armoured Vehicles: While Germany did not introduce tanks to the battlefield, they were quick to recognise their importance. They developed and fielded armoured vehicles, such as the A7V, to provide mobile firepower and support for their infantry.
These technological advancements by Germany during World War I revolutionised warfare and set the stage for further innovations in military technology in the years to come.
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Frequently asked questions
The alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary at the start of World War I was known as the "blank check assurance".
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austrian throne, by a Bosnian-Serb terrorist on June 28, 1914, was the immediate cause of Germany's assistance to Austria-Hungary. This assassination led to Austria-Hungary issuing an ultimatum to Serbia, which was rejected, resulting in Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia with German support.
The underlying reasons for Germany's alliance with Austria-Hungary included German nationalism, the desire to expand power into the Balkans, and the shared goal of checking Russian expansion. Additionally, the unification of Germany in 1871 altered the balance of power in Europe, leading to the formation of rival alliance systems and further contributing to tensions.
