General War in Europe

• By July 1914 it was clear to Russia that after backing down in the Bosnian Crisis and not intervening in the Balkan Wars its title as ‘Protector of Slavs’ was at risk as well as its prestige as a Great Power.
• At first Tsar toyed with the idea of ordering only partial mobilisation – enough troops to fight Austria Hungary

  • This was in the hope of encouraging Germany to back down
  • Nicholas and Wilhelm exchanged desperate telegrams trying to persuade the other not to go to war
• German minsters were working hard to try and make Germany appear to be the victim of aggression
• Chancellor Hollweg instructed the German ambassador to tell the Russian foreign minister that further progress in Russian mobilisation would compel Germany to mobilise and then European war would scarcely be prevented

  • Russian generals argued that mobilisation was the only way that Russia could have a strong chance of victory against the Dual Alliance
  • Russia mobilised on 30th July
• Wilhelm angrily accused Nicholas of secretly mobilising while still trying to get him to negotiate with Austria-Hungary

  • Wilhelm claimed, from that moment on, he had no choice but to declare war on Russia
• From the 30th July Germany began to mobilise and Moltke sent a telegram to Austria Hungary encouraging them to mobilise against Russia as well as Serbia
• On the 31st July Emperor Franz Joseph ordered full mobilisation
• On the 1st August, under great pressure from is generals, Wilhelm ordered mobilisation and declared war on Russia