TimelineMapsSearch QuotationsSearch Images

Follow us through the World War I centennial and beyond at Follow wwitoday on Twitter

In response to Germany's invasion of neutral Belgium, Great Britain declares war on Germany

Twenty-one Declarations of War between July 28, 1914 and August 21, 1915. Over them are the heads of state of the %+%Organization%m%61%n%Dreibund%-%: Sultan Mehmet V of Turkey, Kaiser Franz Josef I of Austria-Hungary, and Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany. Text: 21 Kriegsklärungen des Weltkrieges. Zum bleibenden Gedächtnis. 28. Juli 1914: Österreich-Ungarn an Serbien. 1. August: Deutschland an Russland. 3. August: Deutschland an Frankreich. 3. August: Deutschland an Belgien. 4. August: England an Deutschland. 5. August: Österreich-Ungarn an Russland. 6. August: Serbien an Deutschland. 11 August: Montenegro an Österreich-Ungarn. 11 August: Montenegro an Deutschland. 11 August: Frankreich an Österreich-Ungarn. 13 August: England an Österreich-Ungarn. 23 August: Japan an Deutschland. 25. August: Österreich-Ungarn an Japan. 28. August: Österreich-Ungarn an Belgien. 2. November: Russland an die Türkei. 5. November: Frankreich an die Türkei. 5. November: England an die Türkei. 7. November: Belgien an die Türkei. 7. November: Serbien an die Türkei. 23. Mai 1915: Italien an Österreich-Ungarn. 21. August: Italien an die Türkei. 21 War Declaration of the World War. For lasting memory. July 28, 1914: Austria-Hungary on Serbia. August 1: Germany on Russia. August 3: Germany on France. August 3: Germany on Belgium. August 4: England on Germany. August 5: Austria-Hungary on Russia. August 6: Serbia on Germany. August 11: Montenegro on Austria-Hungary. August 11: Montenegro on Germany. August 11: France on Austria-Hungary. August 13: England on Austria-Hungary. August 23: Japan on Germany. August 25: Austria-Hungary on Japan. August 28: Austria-Hungary to Belgium. November 2: Russia on Turkey. November 5: France on Turkey. November 5: England on Turkey. November 7: Belgium on Turkey. November 7: Serbia on Turkey. May 23, 1915: Italy on Austria-Hungary. August 21: Italy on Turkey. Reverse: Verlag: Buchdruckerei "In

Twenty-one Declarations of War between July 28, 1914 and August 21, 1915. Over them are the heads of state of the Dreibund: Sultan Mehmet V of Turkey, Kaiser Franz Josef I of Austria-Hungary, and Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany.

Image text

21

Kriegsklärungen des Weltkrieges.

Zum bleibenden Gedächtnis.

28. Juli 1914: Österreich-Ungarn an Serbien.

1. August: Deutschland an Russland.

3. August: Deutschland an Frankreich.

3. August: Deutschland an Belgien.

4. August: England an Deutschland.

5. August: Österreich-Ungarn an Russland.

6. August: Serbien an Deutschland.

11 August: Montenegro an Österreich-Ungarn.

11 August: Montenegro an Deutschland.

11 August: Frankreich an Österreich-Ungarn.

13 August: England an Österreich-Ungarn.

23 August: Japan an Deutschland.

25. August: Österreich-Ungarn an Japan.

28. August: Österreich-Ungarn an Belgien.

2. November: Russland an die Türkei.

5. November: Frankreich an die Türkei.

5. November: England an die Türkei.

7. November: Belgien an die Türkei.

7. November: Serbien an die Türkei.

23. Mai 1915: Italien an Österreich-Ungarn.

21. August: Italien an die Türkei.



21

War Declaration of the World War.

For lasting memory.

July 28, 1914: Austria-Hungary on Serbia.

August 1: Germany on Russia.

August 3: Germany on France.

August 3: Germany on Belgium.

August 4: England on Germany.

August 5: Austria-Hungary on Russia.

August 6: Serbia on Germany.

August 11: Montenegro on Austria-Hungary.

August 11: Montenegro on Germany.

August 11: France on Austria-Hungary.

August 13: England on Austria-Hungary.

August 23: Japan on Germany.

August 25: Austria-Hungary on Japan.

August 28: Austria-Hungary to Belgium.

November 2: Russia on Turkey.

November 5: France on Turkey.

November 5: England on Turkey.

November 7: Belgium on Turkey.

November 7: Serbia on Turkey.

May 23, 1915: Italy on Austria-Hungary.

August 21: Italy on Turkey.



Reverse:

Verlag: Buchdruckerei "Industrie", Wien VII.

Publisher: book printer "Industry", Vienna VII

Logo: lozenge, Maltese Cross, Shield, "1914"

Other views: Larger, Larger

Neutral Belgium had gained its independence from the Kingdom of the Netherlands in its 1830 Revolution. The 1831 treaty confirming its independence also established it as a neutral state. Belgium's independence and neutrality were reaffirmed by the 1839 and 1867 Treaties of London. The signatories (including Austria, Great Britain, France, Russia, and predecessors to the German Empire: the German Confederation (1839) and the Kingdom of Prussia (1867)) guaranteed Belgian independence and neutrality.

In 1870, during the Franco-Prussian war, Bismarck published a note from French Emperor Napoleon III that exposed French designs on Belgium and Luxembourg. British Prime Minister Gladstone was so concerned at the prospect the he concluded separate identical treaties with France and Prussia that Britain would go to war against either power that violated Belgian neutrality. These expired in 1872.

The British Cabinet and public were divided about entering the war, and the Labour Party led a demonstration against war on August 2. Much of this opposition came around when Germany invaded Belgium. Britain then saw the enthusiasm on display in Paris, Vienna, and Berlin.

1914-08-04

Some books about In response to Germany's invasion of neutral Belgium, Great Britain declares war on Germany (2)