Causes of the First World War
Driving Question: What caused World War I?
Military forces grew, alliances locked in, and tensions rose across continents. When war finally came, it was no accident; it was the result of systems pushed to the breaking point.
Learning Objectives:
- Use the historical thinking practice of contextualization to understand the time, place, and circumstances that were the backdrop for the First World War.
- Use the historical thinking practice of causation to evaluate the factors that led to the outbreak of World War I.
- Use image-analysis skills to assess how propaganda was used in World War I.
A War to End All Wars
Unpack the tangled web of alliances, rivalries, and political choices that led to war in 1914. This step helps you sort through long-term causes and immediate sparks.
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Guiding Questions
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Before you read
Preview the questions below, and then skim the article. Be sure to look at the section headings and any images.
While you read
Look for answers to these questions:
- Why was Franz Ferdinand assassinated?
- How did alliances lead to war?
- How did imperialism contribute to the war?
- Why did industrialization make a big war more likely?
- Is it possible that the war happened by accident?
After you read
Respond to this question: During the long nineteenth century, changes took place that might have helped cause World War I—what were they?
Global Conflict
World War I was not confined to Europe. Explore how deeply interconnected the world already was in 1914, and how those connections turned a regional crisis into a global war.
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Guiding Questions
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Before you read
Preview the questions below, and then skim the article. Be sure to look at the section headings and any images.
While you read
Look for answers to these questions:
- What were the main alliances during World War I?
- What European factors helped cause the war?
- What global motivations led other countries to join?
- Where did most battles outside Europe take place?
- What were some major consequences of the war?
After you read
Respond to these questions: How did World War I change global networks—such as trade, communication, or political alliances? What stayed the same?
Closer: Causes of the First World War
Now that you've explored the causes of World War I, take a closer look at how those causes were communicated to the public. Propaganda posters reveal what leaders wanted people to believe—and why.
World War I Up Close
World War I changed not just nations but the lives of everyday people. Analyze a collection of wartime voices to explore the many ways war shaped lives both on the front lines and at home.
