On 4 August 1914 Britain declared war on Germany. The British Prime Minister, Herbert Asquith, had given Germany an ultimatum to withdraw its forces from Belgium by midnight of 3 August. Following the events in Sarajevo, and the consequent declaration of war on Russia, Germany had set in motion the Schlieffen Plan that doomed Belgium to invasion as a means of attacking France. Britain had guaranteed Belgium’s neutrality in treaties dating back to 1839.
The German response to the ultimatum was unsatisfactory and Britain declared war.
Dates:
Tuesday, August 4, 1914
Media Image:
Caption:
Crowds outside Buckingham Palace cheer King George, Queen Mary and the Prince of Wales (who can just be seen on the balcony) following the Declaration of War in August 1914.
Casualty Flag:
No
Conflict:
Group:
First World War
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