Path to World War One

A history of the causes of World War I from the late 19th century through 1914. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand occurred on June 29, 1914.

The world stood at peace on the first week of July 1914, unaware of the storm about to break. European nations had spent over thirteen years preparing for war, building massive armies and navies that would cost $20.9 billion. Austria-Hungary demanded Serbia's surrender after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, but Serbia accepted most terms. The Austrian ultimatum, phrased in a way no nation of dignity could accept, forced Serbia into a corner with no escape. Nations across Europe mobilized rapidly, with Germany declaring war on Russia just 24 hours after Russia began mobilizing. The world watched in shock as the conflict spread from a Balkan dispute to a continent-wide war within days.