The First World War
Driving Question: What caused the First World War?
If we could tell you exactly what started the First World War, this would be a pretty short lesson. But it’s not that simple. There are many origins of this massive and violent conflict. And in fact you have already investigated several of the political, ideological, economic, and social factors that were boiling in that big pot known as the long nineteenth century. Here, you’ll get a chance to examine the causes—one ingredient at a time—to better understand the soupy mess that spilled out from 1914 to 1918.
- Analyze multiple scholarly perspectives regarding the causes of World War I.
- Use image-analysis skills to assess how propaganda was used in World War I.
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Guiding Questions
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Note: For more detailed directions on completing the three close reads below, refer to the Three Close Reads – Introduction activity.
Skim
Before you read, you should quickly skim the article, by looking at the headings of each section and the charts. Read the questions below as well, so you know what to look for when you read!
Key Ideas
- Who killed Franz Ferdinand? Why did they kill him?
- How did the European alliance system help start the war?
- How did imperialism help expand and accelerate the war?
- Why does the author argue that the technologies provided by industrialization made the conflict inevitable?
- How might the First World War have happened by accident?
Evaluate
- This article gives several examples of how transformations in the nineteenth century led to the war. Things like nationalism (communities frame), industrialization (production and distribution frame), and outdated diplomatic technology (networks frame) are blamed for the war. Can you think of any transformations during the nineteenth century that might have helped prevent war?
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Guiding Questions
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Note: For more detailed directions on completing the three close reads below, refer to the Three Close Reads – Introduction activity.
Skim
Before you read, you should quickly skim the article, by looking at the headings of each section and the charts. Read the questions below as well, so you know what to look for when you read!
Key Ideas
- What were the main alliances in the war?
- What were some of the causes of the First World War in Europe?
- What were some global motivations for the war?
- Where were most of the battles outside of Europe fought?
- What are the main consequences of the war mentioned in this article?
Evaluate
- Lots of people from lots of places died in World War I, which certainly had huge consequences for communities everywhere. Lots of goods and weapons had to be made for the war, which certainly transformed global production and distribution. But what about networks? Can you think of any ways that the war changed global networks?
Extension Materials
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Guiding Questions
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Note: For more detailed directions on completing the three close reads below, refer to the Three Close Reads – Introduction activity.
Skim
Before you read, you should quickly skim the article, by looking at the headings of each section and the charts. Read the questions below as well, so you know what to look for when you read!
Key Ideas
- This article begins by claiming that preparation and planning were critical in World War I. Why?
- What was the Schlieffen Plan? Was it successful? Why or why not?
- How did industrialization change the nature of warfare, especially on the Western Front?
- Why did the Ottoman Empire and Italy join the war?
- What was the decisive event in the war?
Evaluate
- During the long nineteenth century, the world saw dramatic changes in the organization of political communities and in methods of production and distribution. What are some ways that these changes shaped the course of the First World War?
As you read the primary source excerpts in this collection, use the accompanying Quick-Sourcing Tool to guide your analysis.
