Which of the following events that preceded the outbreak of the First World War best explains why Russian troops were being mobilized against Austria-Hungary, as stated in the first paragraph? Russia wanted to demonstrate to Austria-Hungary that its military forces had recovered from their defeat during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905. Russia wanted to demonstrate to Austria-Hungary that its military forces had recovered from their defeat during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905. Russia was confident that its mutual defense treaties with France and Great Britain would ensure that Austria-Hungary would not dare attack it. Russia was confident that its mutual defense treaties with France and Great Britain would ensure that Austria-Hungary would not dare attack it. Russia was acting in support of Serbia, which was facing an imminent Austro-Hungarian attack following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Russia was acting in support of Serbia, which was facing an imminent Austro-Hungarian attack following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Russia wanted to divert its people’s attention away from its pressing economic problems and stop the growth of socialist parties.