World War I Leaders

World War I Leaders — page 1 — Czar Nicholas II of Russia was greatly offended by Austria Hungary and Germany's actions later fighting against the

World War I Leaders — page 2 — CHAPIES SLOUCHING TOWARD WAR It is quite true that the form and method of Germany's action I mean towards us has simply been brutal and we won t forget it Czar Nicholas II of Russia penned to his mother He was reacting to Austria Hungary's annexation of Bosnia in October 1908 An ally of Germany Austria Hungary's move threatened Russia's influence over the region known as the Balkans Nicholas placed blame for Austria Hungary's aggression on the shoulders of Germany and its leader Kaiser Wilhelm II Wilhelm also happened to be Nicholas s thir The annexation caused outrage in Russia and the Balkan nation of Serbia which Russia had sworn to protect Serbia with Russia's

World War I Leaders — page 3 — support demanded Austria Hungary give Serbia a part of Bosnia But when Austria Hungary backed by its ally FT Germany threatened war Serbia and Russia were off forced to back Nicholas would not forget the way Germany and its ally had treated him and his country When the world ignited into war in August 1914 Nicholas would enter the war on the side of his first cousin King George V of the United Kingdom A FAMILY AFFAIR With the exception of France which was a republic all European nations had monarchs Though the monarchs had varying degrees of political and military power they all had symbolic importance Nicholas left and his first cousin King George V right

World War I Leaders — page 4 — and influenced how their countries acted on the world stage ALL MONARCHS WERE NOT EQUAL Three of these monarchs were also Though Nicholas II George V and Wilhelm Ill were all monarchs they did not have the same related Wilhelm of Germany and George powers As czar of Russia Nicholas Il had of the United Kingdom were first cousins nearly complete control of the government and military He could create policies and give both grandsons of British Queen Victoria orders to troops himself As king of the United George and Nicholas of Russia were Kingdom George V had very limited powers also first cousins Nicholas's wife was a The British Parliament and constitution put the ability to lead the government and military in granddaughter of Queen Victoria Though the hands of politicians and the law As emperor related these monarchs found themselves of Germany Wilhelm Il s power fell somewhere between that of Nicholas il and George V at odds in World War I Wilhelm II is known to have said if that Queen Victoria had been alive she would never have allowed her grandchildren to go to war against each other WAR BEGINS The family relationships between the monarchs of the major European powers could not prevent the outbreak of World War I Austria Hungary's annexation of Bosnia stirred anti Austrian sentiment in the Balkans On June 28 1 seven Serbian nationalists traveled to Sarajevo the capital of Bosnia The heir to the throne of Austria Hungary Archduke Franz Ferdinand was visiting the

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