FORCES

Because of the vast sizes of the 1914 forces which made all of Europe an armed camp, each country jockeyed for position so as not to be left behind at the starting gate, should any conflict break out. More than anything else, the perceived necessity to have mobilization well in hand, heightened and strengthened the downward slide to war on a scale never anticipated.

1. Partial Austrian mobilization against Serbia (25 July 1914)

2. Partial Russian mobilization against Austria (29 July 1914)

3. Full Russian & Austrian mobilization (30 July 1914)

4. The German ultimatum to France (31 July 1914)

5. German & French declarations and mobilizations (01 August 1914)

6. Extension of the process to allied nations: