by Stephen Yellin
This is Day 1 of a series of articles that covers the run-up to the catastrophe of World War I in July 1914. The diplomatic crisis exactly 100 years ago was sparked by the murder of the main force for peace in the Austro-Hungarian Empire –Archduke Franz Ferdinand, together with his wife Sophie– by a Serbian terrorist. Backed by Germany’s offering of unconditional support in using force to retaliate against Serbia –the infamous “blank check”– the Viennese authorities began preparing a list of demands for the Serbian government to accept or face war. Their demands were deliberately made to ensure war would result.
The ultimatum was finally issued on July 23, 1914, over 3 weeks after the Archduke’s murder. The 12 days that followed are the focus of this series. Feel free to refer to my list of important figures in keeping track of who's who.