The purpose of this article is to analyze the feelings that swept through European societies in July and August 1914, during the so-called July Crisis that led up to the outbreak of war and during the first weeks of the conflict. Enthusiasm for the war prevailed mainly among the middle classes (especially the young people) and more so in the cities (especially those in which the universities or high schools were located) than in the countryside. Support for the war stemmed, inter alia, from the conviction that the war was defensive in nature, would be short, would lead to the unification and renewal of the nation, the breaking down of class and political divisions and the birth of a new culture. Representatives of the lower social strata had a more rational attitude towards it. Among them dominated anxiety, fear and depression. The health and lives of the mobilized were endangered everywhere. There was also uncertainty about the future, which was a prevailing feeling. After the outbreak of war, the societies of the belligerent parties were gripped by fear of spies. Irrespective of its scope, war enthusiasm died down as early as September 1914, with the lists of fallen soldiers, transports of wounded behind the frontlines and letters send home from the front lines causing it.