Though the death of Archduke Ferdinand was not greatly mourned by Austria-Hungary, nor the Emperor himself, Franz Josef, the Dual Monarchy expressed outrage over the intolerable affront to the dignity of a Great Power. Furthermore it quickly became clear that Princip and his fellow assassins received their weapons and other assistance in Serbia. Though they were unsure of the government's role in the assassination, or even about the existence of the Black Hand, they considered the evidence sufficient enough to confirm their suspicions that they plot had been engineered in Serbia. Austrian outrage soon translated into determination to take drastic measures against Serbia. Though many government officials stressed immediate mobilization, the Austro-Hungarian leaders decided no measure could be take without German support (Lyons, 2000).
Fortunately for Austria-Hungary, support soon came. On July 5, 1914 Wilhelm II pledged that Austria-Hungary could "in this case, as in all others, rely upon Germany's full support" (Lyons, 2000). The German assurance became known as a "blank check". But the Austro-Hungarian empire did not act as quickly as the Germans would have liked. Instead, they agreed to dispatch an ultimatum to Serbia, containing a number of demands. Some demands were so harsh, however, that Serbia was unlikely to accept them, providing the pretext for a declaration of war. The basis of the ultimatum rested on the investigation of the Sarajevo murders. The ultimatum was delivered on July 23 and demanded the immediate end to anti-Austrian publications in Serbia, the suppression of secret societies, the arrest of two minor officials who were implicated in the murders, and finally, Serbia was to accept the participation of Austro-Hungarian officials in a judicial investigation of the conspiracy. Serbia was to notify Austria-Hungary of its unconditional acceptance by 6 pm on July 25, 1914 (Lyons, 2000).
Serbia began mobilizing their army as a precaution, but accepted the Austrian conditions on July 25--with the exception of one, that Austro-Hungarian troops be allowed to enter Serbia in search of the Sarajevo conspirators. In response, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28. Afraid that the Austro-German hegemony would threaten Russia's trade route to the Black Sea, and also being in alliance with Serbia, Russia began to mobilize on July 30. Russia's action then propelled Germany towards mobilization on the following day. When Russia declined a demand to demobilize, Germany declared war on Russia on August 1. Germany then declared war on France 2 days later. When Belgium was invaded by Germany on August 4, Britain declared war on Germany . Within 8 days, every Great Power in Europe was at war (Haythornthwaite, 1992).
Serbia began mobilizing their army as a precaution, but accepted the Austrian conditions on July 25--with the exception of one, that Austro-Hungarian troops be allowed to enter Serbia in search of the Sarajevo conspirators. In response, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28. Afraid that the Austro-German hegemony would threaten Russia's trade route to the Black Sea, and also being in alliance with Serbia, Russia began to mobilize on July 30. Russia's action then propelled Germany towards mobilization on the following day. When Russia declined a demand to demobilize, Germany declared war on Russia on August 1. Germany then declared war on France 2 days later. When Belgium was invaded by Germany on August 4, Britain declared war on Germany . Within 8 days, every Great Power in Europe was at war (Haythornthwaite, 1992).