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Conducting World War I

Driving Question: What methods did governments use to conduct war beyond the battlefield, and how did these strategies impact societies and civilians?

Most of the fighting during World War I happened in Europe, and it was the powerful empires of Europe that dominated the conflict’s opening months and years. But this was a world war—it did not stay in Europe. The war soon drew in other nations around the world, as well as the millions of people colonized by European empires. Using new weapons of warfare and involving more people than ever before, World War I became the world’s first truly global war.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain how governments used a variety of methods to conduct war.
  2. Assess the claim that World War I was the first global war using evidence from multiple sources. 
  3. Analyze the various ways in which governments conducted war after 1900 by examining propaganda posters.
  4. Analyze primary source documents to evaluate how governments conducted war and how people responded to these methods after 1900.

Vocab Terms:

  • alliance
  • campaign
  • disillusionment
  • mobilization
  • neutrality
  • propaganda
  • total war
STEP 1

Opener: Conducting World War I

STEP 2

The First World War as a Global War

Although World War I began in Europe, it quickly expanded into a global conflict due to the involvement of colonial powers. Many soldiers fighting in Europe came from colonized regions, and the desire for more colonies was one factor that drove the war’s spread beyond Europe.

STEP 3

World War I: A Total War?

World War I was a total war that mobilized entire societies, blurred the lines between civilians and soldiers, and demanded total national commitment. Although many citizens supported the war effort, the immense destruction also led to lasting disillusionment among both soldiers and civilians.

STEP 4

Britain and World War I

Britain entered World War I after Germany invaded Belgium, and the British navy, its experienced army, and its industrial strength all played key roles in the war. This video explores how trench warfare and mass casualties deeply affected British communities, with insights from military history experts.

Britain and World War I External link

The First World War transformed British society. Nick Dennis explores why Britain entered the conflict and how people in Britain experienced the war.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.
STEP 5

WWI Poster Analysis

They say a picture paints a thousand words, and a poster can too! You will examine propaganda posters from World War I to understand the goals of governments during the war.

STEP 6

Source Collection: World War I

How did governments prepare their nations to fight “the war to end all wars”? Let’s go to the sources to find out! As you read the primary source excerpts in this collection, use the accompanying Quick-Sourcing Tool and activity to guide your analysis.

STEP 7

A Lost Generation

World War I caused immense suffering for both soldiers and civilians, shattering early enthusiasm for the conflict. The harsh realities of war led to widespread disillusionment and left a generation physically and mentally scarred.

STEP 8

Closer: Conducting World War I

Extension Materials
Checkmark Alert Banner
The graphic biographies below provide an exploration into two women who made their marks on World War I in very different ways.
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Graphic Biography: Helen Fairchild

The story of Helen Fairchild tells us a lot about service—as well as a lot about how people felt during the World War I era.

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Graphic Biography: Dr. Rosa Luxemburg

Not everyone supported their country’s involvement in World War I. Dr. Rosa Luxemburg had a different reaction to the war from Helen Fairchild, as you will see in this graphic biography.