World War I Introduction

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• World War I essentially started on June 28, 1914 when a Serb nationalist assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. The assassin hoped that the Archduke’s death would bring independence for Serbia from Austria-Hungary. However, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. 

• The next day, Russia mobilized in support of Serbia. Germany threatened war if Russia did not demobilize, which it did not, and Germany declared war on Russia on August 1, 1914. 

• France had told Germany it would act on its own behalf and also mobilized causing Germany to declare war against it on August 3^rd. On August 4^th, Germany invaded neutral Belgium. 

• Britain had promised Belgium protection if it were ever invaded, thus causing Britain to declare war on Germany. 

• The United States didn’t want to get involved in European politics, but finally entered the war on April 6, 1917 due to the actions of Germany. 

Click here to read more about World War I and its impact on America

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