What was the ultimatum given to Serbia by Austria?

The July Ultimatum, formally known as the Note to Serbia, was an ultimatum sent by Austria-Hungary to the Kingdom of Serbia on 23 July 1914, immediately after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria by the Bosnian Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip. The ultimatum delivered a list of ten demands to the Serbian government, some of which were deliberately designed to be unacceptable, and ordered the Serbian government to respond within 48 hours.

Key points of the Ultimatum:

- Declare that Serbia "condemns the propaganda directed against Austria-Hungary"

- Sever all connections with any group supporting anti-Austrian sentiments

- Punish any Serbian official involved in anti-Austrian activities

- Accept participation of Austrian representatives in suppressing subversive propaganda in Serbia

- Arrest Princip as well as two other men implicated in the assassination and allow Austrian officials to participate in their investigation

- Take action against anti-Austrian publications, both in print and in public lectures

- Allow Austrian police officials to assist the Serbian investigation

- Report to the Austrian government about the measures being taken

- Explain why the Serbian government had failed to respond adequately to similar demands made in a 1909 ultimatum

- Reply to the ultimatum within 48 hours from the time of presentation

Serbia's Response:

Serbia considered some of the demands, such as allowing direct participation by Austrian officials in its internal investigations and legal processes, a violation of its sovereignty. Serbia eventually accepted most of the demands but did not fully comply with some, considering some of them "impossible" to implement. Additionally, Serbia mobilized its military in anticipation of an imminent conflict.

The limited acceptance by Serbia only partially satisfied the demands of Austria-Hungary, and it declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914, marking the beginning of World War I.