The European powers expected the bear, referring to Russia, to intervene if the double-headed eagle, symbolizing Austria-Hungary, attacked Serbia in 1914 due to several reasons:
1. Historical Relationships: Russia had long considered itself the protector of the Slavic people, and Serbia was predominantly a Slavic nation. Russia saw itself as the defender of Slavic interests and had previously supported Serbia during the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913. Therefore, there was an expectation that Russia would come to Serbia's aid if it was attacked.
2. Treaty Obligations: There were various treaties and alliances in place that bound Russia to Serbia. The most significant of these was the 1903 Treaty of Alliance and Friendship signed between Russia and Serbia, which guaranteed military assistance in case either party was attacked.
3. Geopolitical Considerations: Russia had an interest in the stability of the Balkan region, as it sought to maintain its influence and access to warm-water ports. Serbia served as a buffer state between Austria-Hungary and Russia, so it was strategically important for Russia to prevent the further expansion of Austrian influence in the region.
4. Domestic Pressure: There was strong public sentiment in Russia supporting Serbia. Influential nationalist groups and politicians in Russia advocated for defending fellow Slavs against Austrian aggression. Caving in to an attack on Serbia without any response could have undermined the Russian government's credibility at home.
These factors contributed to the expectation that Russia would intervene if Austria-Hungary attacked Serbia in 1914. However, the actual response from Russia varied, and the escalation of the conflict ultimately led to the outbreak of World War I.
Why did European power expect the bear to intervene if the double headed eagle attacked Serbia in 1914
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In one sentence
European powers expected Russia to intervene if Austria-Hungary attacked Serbia in 1914 due to historical, geopolitical, and treaty obligations, as well as domestic pressure.
Who does the double headed eagle represent
The double-headed eagle is most commonly associated with the Habsburg dynasty of Austria-Hungary, representing their dual sovereignty over Austria and Hungary.
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