The Spark
For awhile there had been hostile relations between Austria-Hungary and the Slavs. The Slavs wanted to escape the nation, like how the Serbians did. Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the throne in Austria-Hungary. He was visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina when a 19-year old Serb shot him and his wife.
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, who was backed up by Russia. Before Russia joined the war to help Serbia, the Czar of Russia was hesitant to mobilize their army to prepare for war. Germany soon declared war on Russia, whose ally, France, then declared war on Germany. It was a domino effect of declaring war.
German troops began by invading Belgium who was in an alliance with Britain and France. Britain came to the rescue and defended Belgium's neutrality. They then declared war on Germany. By now, everyone in Europe was at war with each other.
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, who was backed up by Russia. Before Russia joined the war to help Serbia, the Czar of Russia was hesitant to mobilize their army to prepare for war. Germany soon declared war on Russia, whose ally, France, then declared war on Germany. It was a domino effect of declaring war.
German troops began by invading Belgium who was in an alliance with Britain and France. Britain came to the rescue and defended Belgium's neutrality. They then declared war on Germany. By now, everyone in Europe was at war with each other.