WW1 - ③ Part Three : The Outbreak of the Great War - Mind Insights

World War I - Part Three

The Outbreak of the Great War

The Sarajevo Incident

Now, let’s dive into the direct causes and progression of World War I. In the Balkan Peninsula, where Germany sought to expand its influence, there was a nation called Serbia. Above Serbia lay Bosnia-Herzegovina, a region that had been occupied by Austria, Germany’s ally. As Austria, a key partner in Germany’s alliance, aimed to extend its dominance further into the Balkans, Serbia began to suspect that it might be the next target of conquest. On June 28, 1914, in response to Austria’s occupation, a group of young Serbian nationalists formed a terrorist organization called the Black Hand to protect their country.

<The scene where Gavrilo Princip shoots at Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie.>

One of these members, a young man named Gavrilo Princip, fired shots at Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife Sophie during their visit to Sarajevo. Both were killed on the spot. This event became known as the Sarajevo Incident.

Sidenote: This sparked World War I, drawing over 40 nations into conflict. Tens of millions were sent to the battlefields, and approximately 10 million lost their lives. The war’s aftermath triggered a communist revolution in Russia, plunging the 20th century into ideological conflicts and bloodshed. 

 Furthermore, a defeated soldier from this war, Adolf Hitler, would later found the Nazi Party based on a philosophy of hatred, leading to World War II. Thus, Gavrilo Princip’s bullet is often called the “shot heard round the world,” as it altered the course of the entire 20th century.

The Start of the World War

When Austria declared war on Serbia, Germany, bound by the Triple Alliance, naturally pledged its support to Austria. In response, Russia declared its backing of Serbia. Russia, which actively traded in the Balkans and maintained friendly ties with Serbia, feared that further German and Austrian expansion in the region would rob it of export markets and deal a severe economic blow. 

 Consequently, Germany declared war on Russia on August 1, 1914, and two days later, on August 3, 1914, extended its declaration to France, Russia’s ally under the Dual Alliance. Germany preemptively targeted France, knowing that even without a direct attack, France was likely to strike from the rear due to its alliance with Russia. Thus, the stage was set for World War I, initially pitting Germany and Austria against Russia, France, and Serbia.

Britain Enters the War

To attack France, Germany demanded passage through Belgium and Luxembourg. However, both nations had declared neutrality, refusing to cooperate in any war effort, and rejected Germany’s request. Undeterred, Germany declared war on them and launched an invasion. This violation of neutral countries provoked a strong reaction from Britain.

 Although Britain was part of the Triple Entente with France and Russia, this agreement did not mandate military involvement in war. Initially, Britain had no intention of joining the conflict. However, the 1839 Treaty of London obligated Britain to protect Belgium’s independence and neutrality. Failing to aid Belgium under attack would have been tantamount to Britain publicly breaking its promise. As a result, Britain declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914.

Triple Alliance vs. Triple Entente

With Britain’s entry, Japan joined the war under the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, followed by its colony Australia. The Ottoman Empire (Turkey) and Bulgaria also entered the fray, and colonial conflicts erupted in Africa, expanding the war globally. Italy, a member of the Triple Alliance alongside Germany and Austria, initially remained neutral due to territorial disputes with Austria. However, Britain later persuaded Italy to join the Entente, promising support for its claims to Austrian territory in the event of victory.

The war’s alignments broadly settled into the Central Powers—Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire (Turkey), and Bulgaria—versus the Allied Powers: Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Japan, and Serbia. The primary fighting, however, unfolded between Germany and the trio of Britain, France, and Russia, as the Triple Entente had originally been formed to counter German aggression.

Germany’s Fierce Offensive

Let’s now focus on Germany’s role. Early in the war, Germany gained the upper hand. On the eastern front, against Russia, battles raged in what is now Poland. Although Russia had a numerical advantage in troops, its sheer size slowed its movements, giving Germany time to strategize.

 Railroads were the primary means of troop transport, but limited trains and missing tracks in some areas forced Russian soldiers to march, further delaying their advance. Germany also deciphered Russian plans, securing a tactical edge and dominating the eastern theater.

On the western front, Germany invaded France via Belgium, advancing to within about 105 miles of Paris—a distance roughly equivalent to that between New York City and Philadelphia. This rapid push put France in immediate peril as the war began.

In response, France mobilized automobiles nationwide, transporting troops at a speed that caught Germany off guard. This marked the first large-scale military use of automobiles in history. Despite reaching the outskirts of Paris, Germany could not press further. With British reinforcements arriving, Germany found itself vastly outnumbered and was forced to retreat. This battle prompted all sides to reassess their strategies.

Next Story

In Part Four, we’ll explore how the war unfolded and introduce the new weapons that emerged.