#28: 26 July 1914 I - Austria Delays Again
When Diplomacy Fails Podcast16 Sep 2024

#28: 26 July 1914 I - Austria Delays Again

The ultimatum had expired, and yet somehow, Austria had not declared war on Serbia. What was going on?


Well, despite pushing the crisis forward with reckless abandon, the Austrian chief of staff Conrad von Hotzendorff now seemed awake to the dangers facing the country. The army would not be ready for war until 12 August, he said. This was a shock to the Germans, who continued to expect a lightning Austrian strike at Belgrade. But it did give the diplomats time to do their work.


From Britain, Sir Edward Grey believed a mediation scheme involving four uninvolved powers was the answer. He encouraged Berlin to push this idea, and the Germans did so, but only reluctantly, and out of fear of offending Britain if they did not. But the question of Russia was arguably the most important of all, and the Tsar was apparently now willing to exercise his military muscle by approving the period preparatory to war, and the mobilisation of key military districts.


This should have shown Austria that Russian intervention was highly likely, yet her statesmen continued to forge ahead. They had lost the diplomatic initiative, and they had failed to present Europe with a fait accompli. Instead, the sluggish, conditional Austrian response seemed ideally suited to diplomatic mediation. But would Austria take the easy way out? Incredibly, from Vienna, the answer was still no.


Support the July Crisis series, join the conversation, and find out more through these links:

  1. Do you want ad-free episodes with scripts attached, and bonus content? Support us on Patreon and you can suggest July Crisis episodes!
  2. Join our Facebook group as we make our way through this fascinating series!
  3. Click here to see our July Crisis workspace in Perlego, you'll find every source you need!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Avsnitt(744)

#57: 3 August 1914 I - Illusions and Delusion

#57: 3 August 1914 I - Illusions and Delusion

The German army was firmly in control of German policy, but its next steps were obvious to any contemporary with even the slightest grasp of the situation. The detour into Belgium had been flagged lon...

28 Apr 202533min

#56: 2 August 1914 IV - Let Loose World Madness

#56: 2 August 1914 IV - Let Loose World Madness

Even as Moltke examined Germany's strategic options, the world was turning against Germany. Berlin pressed its case by pointing out the Russian sins of dishonesty and pre-emption, but was anyone liste...

21 Apr 202554min

#55: 2 August 1914 III - Lichnowsky's Last Stand

#55: 2 August 1914 III - Lichnowsky's Last Stand

While Germany covered itself in infamy, the German ambassador in London did his best to maintain the fragile Anglo-German relationship. His mission was ultimately doomed, but no one could accuse Princ...

14 Apr 202546min

The State of America w/ Thom Daly - Part 2

The State of America w/ Thom Daly - Part 2

In this second part of my conversation with Thom, we discuss the unlawful way in which the Trump administration behaves at home, including its treatment of citizens who hold views which the President ...

10 Apr 20251h 46min

The State of America w/ Thom Daly - Part 1

The State of America w/ Thom Daly - Part 1

In this first of two episodes with Thom Daly, we focus on the United States and its position in the world following the Trump administration's many blunders and betrayals in foreign policy, trade poli...

10 Apr 20251h 20min

#54: 2 August 1914 II - Britain Decides On War

#54: 2 August 1914 II - Britain Decides On War

The traditional picture of British intervention in the First World War normally comes down to one issue - Belgium. On 4 August, Britain did declare war on Germany. However, before this monumental step...

7 Apr 202547min

#53: 2 August 1914 I - Into Luxemburg

#53: 2 August 1914 I - Into Luxemburg

The Schleiffen Plan demanded an invasion of the small Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, where German forces would seize key railway installations, facilitating their march into Belgium, and then to France. Of...

31 Mars 202540min

#52: 1 August 1914 IV - Desperate Diplomacy

#52: 1 August 1914 IV - Desperate Diplomacy

Now that it was clear Germany would have to face the Entente, and likely Britain's imminent intervention, Berlin became much more active in sending diplomatic feelers across Europe. Romania, Bulgaria,...

24 Mars 202542min

Populärt inom Historia

massmordarpodden
p3-historia
historiska-brott
motiv
kod-katastrof
olosta-mord
rss-historien-om
rss-historiska-brottslingar
rss-seriemordarpodden
rss-brottsligt
historiepodden-se
historianu-med-urban-lindstedt
rss-massmordarpodden
krigshistoriepodden
harrisons-dramatiska-historia
mannen-utan-spar
militarhistoriepodden
obskyr-historia
nu-blir-det-historia
bedragare