| Hysteria Part 4. A Quick Summary of Events Leading to the War |
A gradual pro-Ally shift in the USA from 1914 to 1917 was mainly a result of pressure from
business and the corporate elite on both sides of the Atlantic as a result of their financial and
commercial stake in a British and French victory. American business was soon booming from the
war. Between 1914 and 1917, the American GNP was up 20%, manufacturing was up 40%. Allied
Powers purchased over 3 billion dollars in wartime orders and borrowed over 2 billion dollars in
bonds, compared to twenty million in Central power bonds. The British surface naval blockade of
Germany ensured that American trade was almost exclusively with the Allies. As early as 1915, the
United States, not yet involved in the War, had loaned France and Great Britain millions of dollars
through American banks. Had Germany won, those bonds held by American bankers would have
been worthless. American bankers had loaned the Allies almost $3 billion dollars plus another $6
billion for exports by the spring of 1917, and the steel, munitions, chemical and agricultural industries
had all become dependent on the war for profit. Lastly, some of the democrats and Woodrow
Wilson's biggest financial backers had vested personal financial interests with Britain and France.
They needed war, and war needed an excuse, a villain. The Hun was in the final stages of gestation.
business and the corporate elite on both sides of the Atlantic as a result of their financial and
commercial stake in a British and French victory. American business was soon booming from the
war. Between 1914 and 1917, the American GNP was up 20%, manufacturing was up 40%. Allied
Powers purchased over 3 billion dollars in wartime orders and borrowed over 2 billion dollars in
bonds, compared to twenty million in Central power bonds. The British surface naval blockade of
Germany ensured that American trade was almost exclusively with the Allies. As early as 1915, the
United States, not yet involved in the War, had loaned France and Great Britain millions of dollars
through American banks. Had Germany won, those bonds held by American bankers would have
been worthless. American bankers had loaned the Allies almost $3 billion dollars plus another $6
billion for exports by the spring of 1917, and the steel, munitions, chemical and agricultural industries
had all become dependent on the war for profit. Lastly, some of the democrats and Woodrow
Wilson's biggest financial backers had vested personal financial interests with Britain and France.
They needed war, and war needed an excuse, a villain. The Hun was in the final stages of gestation.
| Money as Motive |
The most powerful and well financed of the domestic “preparedness” movements therefore became
the National Security League, financed by men like Cornelius Vanderbilt, Henry C. Frick and Simon
Guggenheim based mainly in Eastern cities. Comprised largely of men associated with the nation’s
leading banking and commercial houses, the "preparedness lobby" countered domestic peace and
progressive reform movements and lobbied for implementation of the draft and increased military
spending. One of their most powerful anti-German spokespersons became Theodore Roosevelt who
had once sung ringing praises of Germany.
the National Security League, financed by men like Cornelius Vanderbilt, Henry C. Frick and Simon
Guggenheim based mainly in Eastern cities. Comprised largely of men associated with the nation’s
leading banking and commercial houses, the "preparedness lobby" countered domestic peace and
progressive reform movements and lobbied for implementation of the draft and increased military
spending. One of their most powerful anti-German spokespersons became Theodore Roosevelt who
had once sung ringing praises of Germany.
The United States had absolutely no logical reason to become involved at all, and almost her entire
population joined in this attitude. Japan, honoring a military agreement with Britain, declared war on
Germany on August 23, 1914. Two days later Austria-Hungary responded by declaring war on
Japan. Italy, having nothing to do with anything, and, although allied to both Germany and Austria-
Hungary, found a cop-out clause and declared neutrality until May 1915, when she finally sided with
the Allies against her two former allies.
population joined in this attitude. Japan, honoring a military agreement with Britain, declared war on
Germany on August 23, 1914. Two days later Austria-Hungary responded by declaring war on
Japan. Italy, having nothing to do with anything, and, although allied to both Germany and Austria-
Hungary, found a cop-out clause and declared neutrality until May 1915, when she finally sided with
the Allies against her two former allies.
The cards were being stacked for war, and all that was needed was an excuse which would be palatable to the
public. After all, not too many people would be keen on the idea of sending their sons out to die so that small
groups of people could pad their wallets. The entrenched powers could not withstand the threat to their
economies, especially at a time when they were losing control of the hearts and minds of the subjects in their
colonies, and after various machinations, intrigues and manipulations, a pretext for war was finally presented
when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 8, 1914 after her heir apparent Archduke Franz Ferdinand
was murdered by a nationalist Serb.
public. After all, not too many people would be keen on the idea of sending their sons out to die so that small
groups of people could pad their wallets. The entrenched powers could not withstand the threat to their
economies, especially at a time when they were losing control of the hearts and minds of the subjects in their
colonies, and after various machinations, intrigues and manipulations, a pretext for war was finally presented
when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 8, 1914 after her heir apparent Archduke Franz Ferdinand
was murdered by a nationalist Serb.
Austria's declaration of war against Serbia would normally have been regarded as a valid reaction.
But Russia, bound by treaty to Serbia, quickly announced mobilization of its huge army in her
defence. Again, this would normally be construed as an act of war, and it caused Germany, allied to
Austria-Hungary by treaty, to declare war on Russia on August 1st. France, who was historically
hostile to Germany, said she felt "bound by treaty" to Russia and responded by announcing war
against Germany and, by extension, on Austria-Hungary on August 3. Germany responded by
invading neutral Belgium on August 4th so as to reach Paris by the shortest possible route should her
defence require it.
But Russia, bound by treaty to Serbia, quickly announced mobilization of its huge army in her
defence. Again, this would normally be construed as an act of war, and it caused Germany, allied to
Austria-Hungary by treaty, to declare war on Russia on August 1st. France, who was historically
hostile to Germany, said she felt "bound by treaty" to Russia and responded by announcing war
against Germany and, by extension, on Austria-Hungary on August 3. Germany responded by
invading neutral Belgium on August 4th so as to reach Paris by the shortest possible route should her
defence require it.
Britain, who could have easily disregarded the whole mess, was allied to France and Belgium, but
only by old, ambiguous treaties. Nonetheless, she eagerly declared war against Germany on August
4th in response to the Belgian King's appeal to Britain for assistance. Like France, she was then, by
extension, also at war with Austria- Hungary. With Britain's entry into the war, her colonies and
dominions abroad: Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa, were
bound to assist her.
only by old, ambiguous treaties. Nonetheless, she eagerly declared war against Germany on August
4th in response to the Belgian King's appeal to Britain for assistance. Like France, she was then, by
extension, also at war with Austria- Hungary. With Britain's entry into the war, her colonies and
dominions abroad: Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa, were
bound to assist her.
Franz Ferdinand was, through a series of inheritances, one of the wealthiest
men in Austria. He was popular, with a reputation as a kind and just man.
He married Sophie Chotek von Chotkova, a Slav who was not of royal
birth, after a two year secret relationship. In 1899, Emperor Franz Joseph
reluctantly agreed to permit Franz Ferdinand to marry Sophie on the
condition that their descendants would not have succession rights to the
throne. The Emperor was not enthused and did not even attend the
wedding. Sophie was not expected to be a prominent wife, but she and
Franz Ferdinand were happy in their marriage and he was a devoted father
to their three children.
men in Austria. He was popular, with a reputation as a kind and just man.
He married Sophie Chotek von Chotkova, a Slav who was not of royal
birth, after a two year secret relationship. In 1899, Emperor Franz Joseph
reluctantly agreed to permit Franz Ferdinand to marry Sophie on the
condition that their descendants would not have succession rights to the
throne. The Emperor was not enthused and did not even attend the
wedding. Sophie was not expected to be a prominent wife, but she and
Franz Ferdinand were happy in their marriage and he was a devoted father
to their three children.
Franz Ferdinand (Franz Ferdinand Karl Ludwig Josef von Habsburg-Lothringen)
was born December 18, 1863 in Graz, Austria, the eldest son of Franz Joseph's
younger brother Karl Ludwig. He had the typically strict royal education, then
entered the army with the rank of third lieutenant. His greatest passion was
hunting and it is estimated that he shot more than 5,000 deer in his lifetime. He
was also an avid traveler. He became the heir-apparent following the death of
Crown Prince Rudolf in 1889 and his own father's death in 1896.
was born December 18, 1863 in Graz, Austria, the eldest son of Franz Joseph's
younger brother Karl Ludwig. He had the typically strict royal education, then
entered the army with the rank of third lieutenant. His greatest passion was
hunting and it is estimated that he shot more than 5,000 deer in his lifetime. He
was also an avid traveler. He became the heir-apparent following the death of
Crown Prince Rudolf in 1889 and his own father's death in 1896.
Just short of their fourteenth wedding anniversary, on June 28th, 1914, popular
Franz Ferdinand and his wife were sharing an open-topped limousine with
Bosnia's military governor, riding in a motorcade through the streets of
Sarajevo. Franz Ferdinand and Sophie were targeted for death by seven men
infected with tuberculosis who were part of a Serb-Bosnian terrorist organization
called "Mlada Bosnia" that wanted independence from Austria-Hungary.
Franz Ferdinand and his wife were sharing an open-topped limousine with
Bosnia's military governor, riding in a motorcade through the streets of
Sarajevo. Franz Ferdinand and Sophie were targeted for death by seven men
infected with tuberculosis who were part of a Serb-Bosnian terrorist organization
called "Mlada Bosnia" that wanted independence from Austria-Hungary.
They had been given pistols and bombs by another nationalist Serb group, the Black Hand. The first
gunman didn't get a clear shot of the motorcade and ran off. The next assassin threw a bomb, but it
hit the next vehicle, wounding the passengers and destroying the vehicle. This assassin jumped into a
river but was captured. Ferdinand and the rest of the procession reached the town hall and after
attending the reception decided to see how the wounded party was doing. Unfortunately, they took
the wrong route, one which took them directly in the path of assassin Gavrilo Princip who was sitting
in a nearby café. Seeing his opportunity, he rushed up to the car and shot twice, hitting the Archduke
in the jugular and Sophie in the abdomen. As he was struck, Franz Ferdinand begged Sophie to live,
uttering “think of the children!” They were taken to the governor's residence but quickly died of
their wounds. Franz Ferdinand was buried in a crypt beneath the chapel of his castle, Artstetten,
instead of the customary burial place of the Habsburgs, Capuchin Crypt, in Vienna. The whole
Empire was in a state of shock and disbelief at the despicable act of cowardice and violence..
gunman didn't get a clear shot of the motorcade and ran off. The next assassin threw a bomb, but it
hit the next vehicle, wounding the passengers and destroying the vehicle. This assassin jumped into a
river but was captured. Ferdinand and the rest of the procession reached the town hall and after
attending the reception decided to see how the wounded party was doing. Unfortunately, they took
the wrong route, one which took them directly in the path of assassin Gavrilo Princip who was sitting
in a nearby café. Seeing his opportunity, he rushed up to the car and shot twice, hitting the Archduke
in the jugular and Sophie in the abdomen. As he was struck, Franz Ferdinand begged Sophie to live,
uttering “think of the children!” They were taken to the governor's residence but quickly died of
their wounds. Franz Ferdinand was buried in a crypt beneath the chapel of his castle, Artstetten,
instead of the customary burial place of the Habsburgs, Capuchin Crypt, in Vienna. The whole
Empire was in a state of shock and disbelief at the despicable act of cowardice and violence..
| "Die Vereinigten Staaten von Gross-Österreich" The United States of Greater Austria |
Franz Ferdinand and several thinkers including Aurel Popovici created this peaceful and productive
concept that with his death never materialized. Their specific proposal in 1906 was meant as a just
solution to the severe problems facing the Dual Monarchy, which although composed of eleven
distinct ethnic groups was largely controlled by only two, Hungarians and Germans ( with Austrians),
who formed the biggest element of the population at 45%. Italians, Czechs, Poles, Croats, Serbs,
Romanians, Slovaks, Serbs and Slovenians, meanwhile, were relatively powerless and becoming
increasingly more vocal, more discontent and violent.
concept that with his death never materialized. Their specific proposal in 1906 was meant as a just
solution to the severe problems facing the Dual Monarchy, which although composed of eleven
distinct ethnic groups was largely controlled by only two, Hungarians and Germans ( with Austrians),
who formed the biggest element of the population at 45%. Italians, Czechs, Poles, Croats, Serbs,
Romanians, Slovaks, Serbs and Slovenians, meanwhile, were relatively powerless and becoming
increasingly more vocal, more discontent and violent.
Ironically, Franz Ferdinand was not only married to a Slav, he had a deep appreciation of Slavic
culture. He was one of the most enlightened Habsburgs and had a reputation as a loving husband and
father. He supported the notion of a redrawn map of Austria-Hungary which created a number semi-
autonomous "states" of the distinct ethnic cultures and languages who would all be a part of a
modern confederation: South Tyrol, German-Moravia, Bohemia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, West
Galicia, Poland, East Galicia, Ukraine, Hungary, Szeklerland, Romania, Transylvania, Trieste,
Carniola, Slovenia, Croatia, Vojvodina, and Serbia. In addition, the German enclaves in eastern
Transylvania and elsewhere were to have limited autonomy.
culture. He was one of the most enlightened Habsburgs and had a reputation as a loving husband and
father. He supported the notion of a redrawn map of Austria-Hungary which created a number semi-
autonomous "states" of the distinct ethnic cultures and languages who would all be a part of a
modern confederation: South Tyrol, German-Moravia, Bohemia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, West
Galicia, Poland, East Galicia, Ukraine, Hungary, Szeklerland, Romania, Transylvania, Trieste,
Carniola, Slovenia, Croatia, Vojvodina, and Serbia. In addition, the German enclaves in eastern
Transylvania and elsewhere were to have limited autonomy.
The plan encouraged separate language and cultural identity, and it was met with strong
opposition from the Hungarian royalists who feared a loss of power. It also sent a shudder
down the spines of the rabid packs of nationalistic zealots as well as powers that be in the
entrenched European power structure. Ethnic composition of the Empire, left (click to
enlarge)
opposition from the Hungarian royalists who feared a loss of power. It also sent a shudder
down the spines of the rabid packs of nationalistic zealots as well as powers that be in the
entrenched European power structure. Ethnic composition of the Empire, left (click to
enlarge)
| "If there is ever another war in Europe, it will come out of some damned silly thing in the Balkans." Bismarck |
Above and Right: Franz Joseph and Sophie in their caskets, Artstettin, and Princip,
who later died in prison from his disease
who later died in prison from his disease
| The Murder |
Note: Language was always a contentious issue in Austro-Hungarian politics, with minorities desiring education in their
own language as well as in the "dominant" languages of Hungarian and German. Emperor Franz Joseph himself mirrored
the linguistic variety of his Empire and spoke fluent German, Hungarian, Czech, and some Polish and Italian. Beginning in
1867, a series of laws regarding language usage within the Austro-Hungarian Empire were enacted in an effort to satisfy
individual demands. Article 19 of the Austro-Hungarian constitution stated: "All races of the empire have equal rights,
and every race has an inviolable right to the preservation and use of its own nationality and language. The
equality of all customary languages ("landesübliche Sprache") in school, office and public life, is recognized by
the state. In those territories in which several races dwell, the public and educational institutions are to be so
arranged that, without applying compulsion to learn a second country language ("Landessprache"), each of the
races receives the necessary means of education in its own language."
own language as well as in the "dominant" languages of Hungarian and German. Emperor Franz Joseph himself mirrored
the linguistic variety of his Empire and spoke fluent German, Hungarian, Czech, and some Polish and Italian. Beginning in
1867, a series of laws regarding language usage within the Austro-Hungarian Empire were enacted in an effort to satisfy
individual demands. Article 19 of the Austro-Hungarian constitution stated: "All races of the empire have equal rights,
and every race has an inviolable right to the preservation and use of its own nationality and language. The
equality of all customary languages ("landesübliche Sprache") in school, office and public life, is recognized by
the state. In those territories in which several races dwell, the public and educational institutions are to be so
arranged that, without applying compulsion to learn a second country language ("Landessprache"), each of the
races receives the necessary means of education in its own language."
Within this framework, the Croatian language was made equal to the official Italian language dominating in Dalmatia, and
in the diet of Carniola's capital of Laibach (Ljubljana), a Slovenian majority replaced German as the dominant official
language from 1882. In 1869, in Galicia, Polish overtook German as the government language, but the Poles in turn
systematically disregarded the large Ukrainian minority in the country, thus Ukrainian was not granted official language
status. In Bohemia and Moravia, language disputes became tense when the Czechs first wanted to establish their language
as dominant even in the old, German-speaking "Sudetenland". Bit by bit, German status was eroded. In 1880,
German-speakers lost their majority in the Bohemian diet and their linguistically dominant position in the cities of Prague
and Pilsen, and in 1882, traditionally German Karl University in Prague was divided into German and Czech.
in the diet of Carniola's capital of Laibach (Ljubljana), a Slovenian majority replaced German as the dominant official
language from 1882. In 1869, in Galicia, Polish overtook German as the government language, but the Poles in turn
systematically disregarded the large Ukrainian minority in the country, thus Ukrainian was not granted official language
status. In Bohemia and Moravia, language disputes became tense when the Czechs first wanted to establish their language
as dominant even in the old, German-speaking "Sudetenland". Bit by bit, German status was eroded. In 1880,
German-speakers lost their majority in the Bohemian diet and their linguistically dominant position in the cities of Prague
and Pilsen, and in 1882, traditionally German Karl University in Prague was divided into German and Czech.
| The Spark |
The list of possible Habsburg successors had grown shorter and shorter. After the death of his only
son Rudolph, the succession passed to Franz Josef's brother, Karl Ludwig, and after Karl Ludwig's
death in 1896, to his brother's son, Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
son Rudolph, the succession passed to Franz Josef's brother, Karl Ludwig, and after Karl Ludwig's
death in 1896, to his brother's son, Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
