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Europe is divided into two main blocks:
TRIPLE ENTENTE (1910) with France, England and Russia.
TRIPLE ALLIANCE (1882) with the German Empire, the Empire of Austria-Hungary and Italy which Romania is bound by a confidentiality agreement.
On 28 June 1914, the assassination of Archduke Franz-Ferdinand Habsburg, heir of Austrian emperor Franz-Joseph, by a pro-Serb anarchist in Sarajevo in Bosnia, triggered a process that set all of Europe alight.
The Serbian police force had warned its Austrian counterpart that an assassination attempt might take place in Sarajevo and that it would not be advisable for Franz-Ferdinand to travel there, but the latter ignored this advice. This event did not attract a great deal of attention in the countries of Europe. However, for the general staff in Vienna, which was only waiting for a pretext to attack Belgrade, the assassination was perfectly timed.
It was in the Balkans, which was an unstable region much coveted by the great powers, that tensions ran high. In 1912, the First Balkan War was declared. The Balkan League consisted of Serbia, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Greece. Russia wished to expand into the Balkans and, above all, to settle its score with the Ottoman Empire, by snatching the Black Sea Straits, so that Russia ships could access the Mediterranean. But this dream was thwarted by Austria-Hungary, which also sought to control the Balkans. Pro-Russian Serbia and pro-Austria Bulgaria, together with Greece and Montenegro, had set their sights on Europe's last Ottoman territories. They set aside their own differences to wage war against Istanbul from October 1912 until April 1913. After they proved victorious, they began to quarrel over how the conquests should be shared and Bulgaria, after showing itself to be too greedy, was crushed by its former coalition allies in August 1913. As Serbia had increased its territory by one third, Vienna was not ready to give up and also threatened to enter the conflict. This time, it took a great deal of diplomacy from Germany to pacify the Austria-Hungary military commanders and prevent the Balkan Wars from spilling over onto the European continent, where they could catch light if Russia became involved. By banging its fist on the table, Austria-Hungary secured the formation of an independent Albania, which would prevent Serbia from gaining access to the sea.
The situation was no better between France and Germany. Since 1911 and the crisis surrounding the French protectorate in Morocco, European relations had been tense. The French were convinced that Germany wanted war and the Germans believed that France was out for revenge and preparing for war.
The consequence of this situation, in which everyone believed that his neighbour had bad intentions, was an atmosphere of hate and, above all, collective fear. When on the defensive, the European nations always invest more in their military forces.
On 3 May 1915, Italy – which was neutral when fighting began – officially left the Triple Alliance that it had formed with the two central empires in 1882, in order to join the 1910 Triple Entente, which was made up of France, Great Britain and Russia. It went to war against Austria-Hungary on 23 May 1915.
The latter, having annexed Bosnia in 1908, had its sights on Serbia. But Serbia was a Slav country, protected by its big brother Russia and friends with France. The intermeshing of alliances caused the explosive and horrific war that would last four years.
According to the newspapers, international tensions worsened on 27 July.
On 28 July, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. But the terrible interlocking of alliances soon began: Serbia was supported by Russia, the protector of the Slav nations, which had also entered into a military alliance with France; the German empire had formed the Triple Alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy; Great Britain and France had formed the "Entente cordiale"; the British were committed to guaranteeing the neutrality of Belgium. All of Europe was preparing for war.
On 30 July, general mobilisation followed in Russia and Austria-Hungary. One declaration of war followed another in the crucial period of July and August.
The German empire had formed the Triple Alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy; Great Britain and France had formed the "Entente cordiale"; the British were committed to guaranteeing the neutrality of Belgium.
All of Europe was preparing for war.
On 28 July, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.
On 30 July, general mobilisation followed in Russia and Austria-Hungary. One declaration of war followed another in the crucial period of July and August.
The agenda is an invaluable tool and will help you organise your weekends during the Great War centenary year. It will also enable you to take part in free commemorative and festive events, by providing you with an exclusive à la carte programme!
After the Great War, which began 100 years ago, all that remained of this region were battlefields and destroyed villages. In the same place, you will now find idyllic landscapes and picturesque villages. In order to help you visit the region, the CHEMINS DE MEMOIRE project has developed 10 CIRCUITS, ranging from 35 - 80 km. As you pass along the trails, information points will help you find out more about the special and little known history of the Battle of the Frontiers.
You can pick up a free map from the region's tourist offices.