Austria-Hungary's Impossible Choice in 1914

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In 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia and triggered World War I. The standard narrative calls this reckless aggression, but is that really the case?

New evidence from private correspondence and intelligence reports reveals an empire that saw itself as trapped: betrayed by allies, infiltrated by enemies, and running out of time. This isn't about justifying their decision, but understanding how a great power came to believe it had no other choice.

Sources

Primary source: Contemporary Austrian Studies Volume 23 - "1914: Austria-Hungary, the Origins, and the First Year of World War I" (2014)

Additional sources: Mombauer, Annika. "Guilt or Responsibility? The Hundred‑Year Debate on the Origins of World War I"
Deak, John and Jonathan E. Gumz. "How to Break a State: The Habsburg Monarchy's Internal War, 1914–1918"

Music: Filmstro | Music is for everyone | https://filmstro.com/royalty-free-music/

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