I just read an overview of WW1 which explained it as have being started like this. Following Ferdinand’s assassination, Austria declare war on Serbia. Then Russia get declare war on Austria. Then Germany declare war on Russia and France. Britain join due to Belgium’s neutrality being threatened.

by cianmort

Is this accurate, and if so how were the war guilt clause and other sanctions against Germany justified?

**apologies if this is a common Q

jschooltiger

Hi there -- not discouraging further answers, but this section of our FAQ may be of interest to you, in particular this thread about why Germany bears responsibility for the start of the war, with an answer from u/elm11.