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Short Term Causes of World War I The Schlieffen Plan: Germany military plan developed in 1905 Germany felt

lt trapped between Russia and France o Both are powerful countries Designed by German Armys Chief of Starr: Alfred von Schlieffen The plan addressed how to fight a two front war Plan assumed it would take Russia six weeks to mobilize Attack and defeat France first (and quickly), then turn to the east to face Russia Schlieffen planned to advance through Belgium, a sovereign (and neutral) country The plan was designed to avoid fighting on both sides The Assassination: The trigger event: Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated on June 28, 1914 Heir to Austro-Hungarian throne Assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia Mostly Bosnian people in Sarajevo The Accidental Assassin: Gavrilo Princip Member of the secret Serb society the Black Hand or Union or Death Sought union of the Austro-Hungarian province of Bosnia with the state of Serbia Not the only assassin there luck that helps him, because their car had to turn around Nationalism: extreme pride for ones country/nation The assassination isnt a big deal The German Blank Check: July 6, 1914 Germany, and specifically Kaiser Wilhelm II (German emperor), offers the Austro-Hungarian ambassador in Germany a personal pledge of unconditional support Nothing happens for another 17 days Conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia (more a crisis) The Austro-Hungarian Ultimatum: July 23, 1914 Austria-Hungary gives them a list of demands July 25, 1914 Austria Hungary declares war on Serbia (under German pressure) o Step 1: just a local European war August 1, 1914 Germany declares war on Russia August 2, 1914 Germany demands that Belgium grant the Germany army passage through their territory; Belgium refuses August 3, 1914 Germany declares war on Belgium and France

o Step 2: European war August 4, 1914 Great Britain demands that Germany withdraw from the war/from Belgium August 5, 1914 Great Britain declares war on Germany o Step 3: World war Canada at War: When Great Britain declared War, Canada was automatically at war (still a British colony) Regardless, many people felt a strong British loyalty and would have gone to war anyways Just Remember: 60 661 Canadians died Approximately, 173 000 people were wounded The war caused sharp divisions, most prominently along linguistic lines, and it caused physical, psychological and economic hardship

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