Background

Austro-Hungarian Ultimatum: Escalation in Tensions with Serbia

Background

The Austro-Hungarian Empire issued an ultimatum to Serbia on July 23, 1914, escalating tensions between the two nations. The ultimatum was based on the assumption that the Serbian government was involved in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914.

Key Terms

The ultimatum included 10 demands that Serbia had to meet within 48 hours. Among the demands were:

• Condemn all propaganda against Austria-Hungary.
• Dissolve all nationalist organizations hostile to Austria-Hungary.
• Remove from the army any officers implicated in anti-Austrian activities.
• Allow Austrian officials to investigate the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Serbia.

Implications

Serbia's rejection of the ultimatum led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. This triggered a series of alliances and counter-alliances, eventually escalating into World War I.