![]() ![]() It should coincide with a statement made by Germany aimed at Russia, France and England expressing the assumption of a locally restricted war as described above and the desired – not explicitly expressed – non-interference of the other European Great Powers. Contrary to the statement made by Zimmerman on 13 July, Austria’s Note was now to be handed over after the visit. On 20 July the French government delegation led by the French President Poincares visited St. Due to European politicians taking a rather hesitant stance in the matter, the “July Crisis“ worsened dramatically and finally led to World War I. While the Imperial government on the one hand wanted to locally restrict the conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia, the time for a war against Russia was considered “the least unsuitable moment“ since Russia was threatening to overwhelm Germany with “the number of its forces“ anytime soon. A quick and forceful military strike against Serbia was meant to create a fait accompli and prevent Russia from stepping in. The armed forces in Vienna were urging a rapid retaliatory strike against Serbia and the German Empire confirmed its loyalty to the alliance with the Danube Monarchy on 5 / 6 July (Mission Hoyos). Members of the Serbian Panslavist movement, who were supported by Russia, wanted to reinforce their demand for a Serbian nation that would be independent from Austria-Hungary. On 28 June 1914 the Austro-Hungarian heir to the throne Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were shot dead by a 19-year old student during a visit to the Bosnian capital Sarajevo. ![]()
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