Events leading to the Great War

The heir to the Austrian throne was assassinated by a Serbian natinalist in Sarajevo.

Austria-Hungary delivers an ultimatum to Serbia stating that the Black Hand, the group responsible for the archdukes death, must be completely extinguished.

Serbia ignores the ultimatum and the extremely powerful Austria-Hungary declares war on the diminuituve country.

Serbia asks Russia to help them fight Austria-Hungary. Russia, who has always been friendly with Serbia, complies.

France, an ally of Russia, is asked to aid Russia in the growing fight. France prepares to to go to war. The ally treaties established before the war are starting to drag most of Europe into war.

Germany declares war on Russia and France because Germany is allied with Austria-Hungary and because they feel threatened. Kaiser Wilhelm II is also hopping to go to war. Germany begins to attack France through Belguim, which was neutral.

Britain delivered an ultimatum to Germany, demanding that they remove themselves from neutral Belgium. Germany takes no action, so Britain declares war.