The July Crisis

Can You Stop the Great War?

Diplomatic meeting 1
- June 28th 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Has just been Killed
- Austria Meets with Serbia
- Demands for immediate military action against
Serbia.

Time Line
-July 4th Germany and Austria favor early
aggression, Now or never...while Russia
unprepared.
-July 5th Germany offers the blank check to
Austria
-July 6th Austria/Germany believe that France
and Russia will not be involved in this local
affair.

Time Line
-July 9th British assures the German gov. that
they would not be on the side of the
aggressors.
-July 16th British adopt the Wait and see
policy against the Austrian gov.
-July 18th Russia warns Austria that they
wouldnt tolerate any action that threatens
Serbias independence

Time Line
-July 23rd Austrian Ultimatum is delivered to
Serbia.

-July 24th Austria informs the other world

powers of the ultimatum

Time Line
July 25th cont.
- Russia requests Austria to give more time.
- French urge Russia to use policy of
firmness
- British try to set up a mediation in Austria
- Serbia orders general mobilization and call
upon Russia for help
- Serbia gives reply to Austria which is
rejected.
- Russia, France prepare for mobilization.

Time Line
-July 27th Russia finds the Ultimatum
unrealistic.
- Britian Returns all fleets to home ports

-July 28th Germany tells Austria to only occupy

the capital until negotiations can be finalized.
-Austria declares war

Time Line
-July 29th Austria shells Serbian capital
- Russia still hopeful in talks with Germany to
find mediation with Austria and peace only
partially mobilizes
-July 30th Russia, Serbia, Austria, France, and
Great Britain have to some degree mobilized
with Germany on High Alert and has secretly
started so as to deter russian involvement.

Scenario

The date is July 30, 1914 and the situation is

critical when your diplomatic office receives a
telegram talking about a possible world war.
Austria has already declared war on Serbia
after receiving reassurance from Germany.
Because of the alliance system, you must now
decide whether your country wants to join the
war, Or try and broker a peace between the
countries.

Procedure
Your team is a diplomatic advisor group representing
one of the 7 major countries involved in WWI.
In order to prepare for the peace conference, your
group researched questions that should allow you to
make a judgement on why your country should or
should not go to war. As well as who you should
spend time negotiating a peace deal with or the
country in which you will join with.
4 break out sessions 5-2 min each.

Vote
-If you make any agreements with other countries I
must be made aware by a signed document
declaring what you agreed upon and then the
signature of one of each country's representatives.
-After all groups have fully explored their options
with other countries we will vote at the end of class.
WAR or PEACE
-All representatives from each country should stay
together at all times.
- If you vote war you must declare whose side you
are with.