... to another misjudgement. The foreign minister Berchtold deliberately made the demands so unacceptable that Serbia could not fulfil them. He was using the ultimatum as a prelude to war, rather than as an alternative solution. Austria Hungary may not have set out to cause a world war, but they definitely deliberately caused a war with Serbia, without considering the possible repercussions, and could be accused of recklessness and irresponsibility, along with serious mismanagement. Germany's reaction could also be seen as unwise. They issued Austria Hungary with a 'blank cheque' of support on the 5th of July, encouraging them to threaten Serbia. They may not have known what Austria Hungary's actions would lead to, but they knew the risks, and as James Joll pointed out, may have even felt that war was inevitable based on the continuing international crisis. This would imply that although the July crisis and its mismanagement ...

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