#28: 26 July 1914 I - Austria Delays Again

#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)

WDF Presents: July Crisis Project #14: The President And The Tsar

WDF Presents: July Crisis Project #14: The President And The Tsar

Over the course of 20-23rd July 1914, the French President and the Russian Tsar met in a summit that had been many months in the making, but which happened to coincide with the plans of Habsburg state...

22 Juli 201435min

WDF Presents: July Crisis Project #13: War Council

WDF Presents: July Crisis Project #13: War Council

By the time of 19th July, the word of the ultimatum had already reached the majority of European capitals; yet, in Vienna, Habsburg ministers carried on blindly..Remember history friends, you can help...

19 Juli 201433min

WDF Presents: July Crisis Project #12: Away From Vienna

WDF Presents: July Crisis Project #12: Away From Vienna

On 15th July the French president and Prime Minister set off from Paris to join the Russian Tsar for a summit in St Petersburg on 20th July, herein we recount the journey.Remember history friends, you...

18 Juli 201421min

WDF Presents: July Crisis Project #11: Profile #3: Russia

WDF Presents: July Crisis Project #11: Profile #3: Russia

The story of how Russia came to be opposed against Germany and Austria is one you have heard many times. This time, we take a different tone, and suggest that Russia's old enemy may not have been as f...

16 Juli 20141h 21min

WDF Presents: July Crisis Project #10: Persuading Tisza

WDF Presents: July Crisis Project #10: Persuading Tisza

Armed with his pro-action arguments, the Austro-Hungarian foreign minister believed he had finally acquired the tools he could use to persuade the most ardent opposer of his plans: the Hungarian minis...

14 Juli 201417min

WDF Presents: July Crisis Project #9: Belgrade Alight

WDF Presents: July Crisis Project #9: Belgrade Alight

Picking up the pieces after the death of the Russian ambassador, the Habsburg foreign minister acquires evidence which he believes, will finally persuade the Hungarian minister president towards war.R...

13 Juli 201414min

WDF Presents: July Crisis Project #8: Death of a Statesman

WDF Presents: July Crisis Project #8: Death of a Statesman

On 10th July, as Berchtold and Conrad attempted to overcome their own respective obstacles, an event occurred in Serbia which dramatically changed the atmosphere...Remember history friends, you can he...

10 Juli 201417min

WDF Presents: July Crisis Project #7: Tisza's Pressure

WDF Presents: July Crisis Project #7: Tisza's Pressure

On 7th July Austro-Hungarian statesmen met to discuss the previous events and formulate policy. The result was a fundamental transformation of how the Habsburgs planned on representing themselves in t...

7 Juli 201425min

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