On the edge of the precipice of war

• Authors: Aleš Skřivan, Sr.
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

The submitted study presents and analyzes the development in the international scene in last weeks before outbreak of World War I. The primary attention is focused on the steps of Austria-Hungary, whose position was markedly weakened due to the Balkan Wars and anti-Austrian activities of Russia. The author focuses noticeably on assessment of the relations of the Habsburg Monarchy to the allied Germany in context with negotiations of military representatives, the famous Kaiser Wilhelm II's visit to Konopiště in mid-June 1914 and at diplomatic level. Considerable attention is paid to so called Matscheko's memorandum, a document that analyzed in great detail the international position and the outlooks of the Habsburg Monarchy. The study, of course, evaluates the circumstances and the significance of the assassination of Franz Ferdinand d'Este, Successor to the throne, including the reactions in Europe and in Austria-Hungary. Adequate attention is paid also to the effect of the main factors that influenced the decision of individual great powers to enter the war.

Keywords

EN

International position of Austria-Hungary; activities of Russia; Conrad–Moltke Jr. negotiations; Wilhelm II's visit to Konopiště; Matscheko's memorandum; Sarajevo assassination; reaction of Europe; attitude of Germany; decision of individual Great Powers in favour of war

Discipline

• HISTORY: HISTORY

• Publisher: Silesian University in Opava, Faculty of Public Policies, Czech Republic
• Journal: Central European Papers
• Year: 2014
• Volume: 2
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 122-140

Contributors

author

Aleš Skřivan, Sr.

• Ústav světových dějin, Filozofická fakulta Univerzity Karlovy v Praze, Nám. Jana Palacha 2, 116 38 Praha 1, Czech Republic