Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
Schlieffen Plan
Why did the Alliance System turn an
incident into a war?
Why did Britain enter the war?
Schlieffen Plan
Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
Germany is surrounded. To win both France and Russia must be defeated.
Russia will take 6 weeks to mobilise so if Germany sneaks through Belgium,
turn south when west of Paris and surround the French army. Once the
French army is beaten, turn east and attack the Russians. [D]
FF and his wife, Sophie, was visiting Sarajevo. En route to the Town Hall
Cabrinovic threw a bomb—which didn’t kill anyone. On the way back the
route was changed, no one told the driver. When he was told he stopped the
car to turn back outside Schiller’s Store. Gavrilo Princip came out and shot
him and Sophie. [D]
The Schlieffen Plan meant Germany invaded Belgium which caused GB to
declare war on Germany. [E]
Once Russia mobilised Germany had to declare war—it was a one use / speed
plan. This meant going through Belgium and GB declaring war to prevent
Belgium falling into German hands. [A]
Why did Britain enter the war?
Naval Race; This made the British suspicious of the Germans but even when
Germany was only one Dreadnought behind GB [1909] GB didn’t declare war.
Entente Cordiale: This made GB support France in Morocco but it didn’t lead
to a declaration of war, even when Germany declared War on France GB
didn’t automatically declare war on Germany.
Schlieffen Plan: Only when Germany invaded Belgium did Britain declare war.
GB wanted to keep Belgium neutral to prevent any one country dominating
the coast of Europe. In 1839 Prussia [part of Modern Germany], France and
Britain among others had signed the Treaty of London guaranteeing Belgium
neutrality.
Austria was angry that its prince was killed and looked to declare war on
Serbia.- made 10 demands, knowing one point could not be agreed to. [E]
When Austria declared war on Serbia—Russia had to back up the Serbs—
which triggered the Schlieffen Plan. [A]
Why did the Alliance System turn an
incident into a war?
6th July: German give the ‘Blank Cheque’ to Austria-Hungary—supporting its
only ally.
28th July: Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.
29th July: Russia mobilises to support its ally, Serbia—having backed down
before it felt it couldn’t again.
The Russian mobilisation is the signal to start the Schlieffen Plan. Germany
feels it has 6 weeks from that point to beat France…..so invades Belgium.
Schlieffen Plan
Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
War did the assassination lead to war?
Why did the British enter the war.