Austro-Hungarian Ultimatum

• By 14th July Austria had decided on war, so they prepared an ultimatum
• On the 23rd July the Austrians sent the ultimatum to the Serbian capital, Belgrade

  • They demanded a satisfactory answer within 48 hours or war would be declared
• With the concern that the other Great Powers would find the ultimatum provocatively harsh Austria-Hungary sent a copy of it and a letter explaining their actions to each of them
• Some of the terms of the ultimatum were:

  • All newspapers and publications hostile to Austria to be supressed
  • The national Defence Society to be dissolved
  • All army officer’s hostile to Austria to be dismissed
  • Austrian police officials to be admitted to Serbia to investigate the assassination
  • Austrian lawyers to participate in judicial proceedings against suspects