Global Conflict
Driving Question: What caused the global conflicts from 1914 to 1945, and how did people experience this period of global war?
In this lesson, you will investigate how long-term changes such as nationalism, imperialism, and industrialization set the stage for the two world wars. You will also examine how people around the world experienced these massive conflicts and how global war reshaped societies between 1914 and 1945.
Learning Objectives:
- Use causal thinking to understand how the events of the long nineteenth century contributed to global conflict in the twentieth century.
- Identify major changes and continuities in communities, networks, and production and distribution during this era of global conflict.
Vocab Terms:
Consider using the Three-Step Reading routine with students to “read” visuals. First, get the big picture. Then, zoom in on details. Finally, think about what the image means. Learn more in the Reading Guide.
Begin learning about the global conflicts of the twentieth century by looking back at the long nineteenth century. You will examine how political, economic, and social changes from earlier eras helped create the tensions that led to World War I.
Begin exploring how global tensions led to World War I and World War II, and consider how earlier transformations shaped what came next for people and societies worldwide.
This unit is particularly emotional. The genocides and violence surrounding the two world wars can be difficult for students to process. For support, check out this blog post, in which OER Project teachers offer advice for teaching challenging topics.
This video and article introduce the major themes of global conflict from 1914 to 1945. You’ll explore how two world wars reshaped international systems, devastated societies, and transformed the global balance of power.
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Guiding Questions
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Guiding Questions
Use the frames—communities, networks, and production and distribution—to organize your thinking about global conflict. This video and timeline activity will help you connect causes and consequences of the world wars across time and place.
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Guiding Questions
What were the causes, and effects, of both world wars? Let’s see how our three frames can help us understand this question.
A world war doesn’t start over nothing. Use your knowledge of the long nineteenth century and developments like imperialism and colonialism to make predictions about World War I.
By suggesting revisions to someone else’s writing, you’ll get much better at identifying what makes strong writing. Make suggestions for improving organization and language/style—and then keep those suggestions in mind the next time you write.
