A crisis in Europe

By 1914, rivalry between European powers had grown. Militarism meant building up armed forces and treating military strength as important. Imperialism intensified competition for overseas territory and influence. Nationalism encouraged loyalty to one’s nation, but could also sharpen rivalries and support demands for independence. Alliances promised support if a country was attacked, yet could draw more states into a crisis. Europe was divided into rival groups, although membership and commitments changed over time. Germany and Austria-Hungary were closely aligned; Italy belonged to their pre-war alliance but did not fight alongside them in 1914. Britain, France and Russia formed the Triple Entente, a political understanding rather than a single automatic military pact. Serbia had Russian support. The Ottoman Empire joined Germany and Austria-Hungary later in 1914. On 28 June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia and, with German backing, sent Serbia a severe ultimatum. Serbia accepted most, but not all, of its demands. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on 28 July. Russia mobilised in support of Serbia; Germany declared war on Russia on 1 August and France on 3 August. Germany invaded Belgium on 4 August. Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August, citing Belgium’s neutrality as well as its commitments and strategic concerns. New Zealand, then a dominion of the British Empire, was at war when Britain declared war.