On July 28, 1914, the atmosphere in Europe severely darkened as Austria-Hungary officially declared war on Serbia, setting into motion a chain of alliances and political maneuvers that plunged the world into its first global conflict. This decisive act came just a month after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, an event that had already strained diplomatic relations to a breaking point. Austria-Hungary’s ultimatum to Serbia included stringent demands designed to undermine Serbian sovereignty, and Serbia’s partial rejection was enough for Vienna to mobilize its military, effectively igniting the powder keg of Europe.

The declaration sent shockwaves that quickly rippled beyond the Balkans, dragging the major powers into a conflict marked by complex causes and catastrophic consequences. Key factors in this escalation included:

  • Alliance systems that bound countries to defend one another;
  • Nationalistic fervor fueling…