Germany
01 August 1914
By marching into Luxemburg, the German Empire begins the First World War
The murder of the successor to the Austrian throne, and his wife, by a Bosnian-Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo plunges Europe into a diplomatic crisis. When Austro-Hungary wants to punish Serbia militarily, with the support of the German Empire, mutual alliance obligations come into effect. Following several weeks of negotiations, threats and, ultimately, mobilisations, German troops march into the neutral states of Luxemburg and Belgium. The First World War begins.
The Outbreak of the First World War
Written by Prof. Wojciech Roszkowski
Edited by Prof. Jan Rydel