How did Franz Joseph’s declaration of war on Serbia contribute to the outbreak of World War I?

Following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June 1914, the Austro-Hungarian government viewed the event as an opportunity for a final reckoning with the perceived threat posed by Serbia. Although Franz Joseph had previously maintained a policy of peace, he was persuaded by his foreign minister, Leopold, Count von Berchtold, to issue an intentionally provocative ultimatum to Serbia in July 1914.12

When Serbia’s response was deemed insufficient, Franz Joseph signed the declaration of war on July 28, 1914. This action was intended to create a fait accompli and secure the integrity of the empire against Serbian-backed irredentist movements. However, the declaration triggered a chain reaction among the Great Powers. Germany, prioritizing its own strategic plans, escalated the localized Balkan conflict into a continental war by declaring war on Russia and France, thereby marking the outbreak of World War I.134