Century of Conflict
Driving Question: What caused the global conflicts from 1914 to 1991, and how did people experience this period of global war?
The twentieth century was shaped by war, but why did these global conflicts happen—and how did people live through them? In this lesson, you’ll gain an overview of the causes, consequences, and human experiences of war from 1914 to 1991.
Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate how events and processes of the long nineteenth century contributed to global conflict in the century that followed.
- Use the course frames to evaluate how a century of global conflict reshaped human communities in the twentieth century.
Vocab Terms:
- authoritarianism
- civilian
- fascism
- genocide
- Great Depression
- pacifism
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.
Agree or disagree? Evaluate some statements before you dive into Unit 8—then see how accurate you were when you get to the end of the unit.
This unit is particularly emotional. This video begins with an anecdote about a Jewish boy murdered in the Holocaust. The story of how the boy used art and science fiction to get through dark times can help students connect to this history, but this story—and many others in this unit—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.
Get a big-picture view of the forces that shaped the twentieth century. In this video and article, you'll explore how global conflicts, shifting power, and new technologies defined this era—and begin to uncover the causes and consequences of war on a global scale.
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Guiding Questions
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Before you watch
Preview the questions below, and then review the transcript.
While you watch
Look for answers to these questions:
- Who was Petr Ginz?
- What does “total war” mean?
- Why was World War I called the “war to end all wars”?
- How was World War II more destructive than World War I?
- What were key differences between the US and the Soviet Union during the Cold War?
After you watch
Respond to this question: Who or what do you think Petr Ginz was describing in the final quote of the video, and why?
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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 caused the First World War?
- What major events happened between the two world wars?
- Who started the Second World War?
- What is decolonization?
- What made the period from 1914 to 1991 a time of global conflict?
After you read
Respond to this question: When do you think the story of decolonization and resistance really began, and why?
History is full of conflict, but how we understand that conflict depends on the frame we use. The videos and activity will help you apply the frames to analyze the causes and effects of global wars and how people experienced them from 1914 to 1991.
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Guiding Questions
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Before you watch
Preview the questions below, and then review the transcript.
While you watch
Look for answers to these questions:
- How did nationalism help cause World War I?
- How did new ideas about community lead to violence in World War II?
- How did World War I weaken global networks?
- How did production and distribution change during this period?
- What challenges emerged in rebuilding after these global wars?
After you watch
Respond to this question: Can nationalism, global networks, and production systems be shaped in ways that prevent future conflict?
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Guiding Questions
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Before you watch
Preview the questions below, and then review the transcript.
While you watch
Look for answers to these questions:
- What system of production did the United States support?
- What system of production did the Soviet Union support?
- How did communism and capitalism both shape decolonization conflicts?
- How can decolonization be understood through the communities frame?
- How did Cold War and decolonization movements form new global networks?
After you watch
Respond to this question: How do the three frames help connect the Cold War and decolonization in new ways?
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.
Being able to provide clear and supportive writing feedback to a classmate isn’t just helpful to them—it will also help you develop your own understanding of strong writing.