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Causes of the First World War

Driving Question: What caused World War I?

Militaries grew, alliances were cemented, 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

  1. Use the historical thinking skill of contextualization to understand the time, place, and circumstances under which the First World War began.
  2. Use the historical thinking skill of causation to evaluate the factors that led to the outbreak of World War I.
  3. Use image-analysis skills to assess how propaganda was used in World War I.

Vocab Terms:

  • alliance
  • casualty
  • conscription
  • diplomacy
  • interdependence
  • mobilization
  • propaganda
  • total war
STEP 1

Opener: Causes of the First World War

STEP 2

The Guns of August

Unpack the tangled web of alliances, rivalries, and political choices that led to war in 1914. These resources will help you sort through long-term causes and immediate sparks.

How World War I Started External link

This video breaks down how a regional conflict turned into a global war. Learn how alliances, war plans, and nationalist movements made peace hard to keep.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.
STEP 3

A War to End All Wars

Understanding what happened during World War I is key to understanding its effects. Follow the key events of the First World War—where it was fought, how it escalated, and why it became one of history’s deadliest conflicts.

STEP 4

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.

Extension Materials
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Dive deeper into the causes of World War I with the resources below, including a DBQ that asks you to explain how tensions turned into global conflict.
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Economics of War

An analysis of capitalism and competition for markets adds yet another angle to the causes of World War I. Learn how economic systems played a role in shaping global tensions leading up to 1914.