Overview
World War I, also called First World War or Great War, an international conflict that in 1914–18 embroiled most of the nations of Europe along with Russia, the United States, the Middle East, and other regions. The war pitted the Central Powers—mainly Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey—against the Allies—mainly France,Great Britain, Russia, Italy, Japan, and, from 1917, the United States. It ended with the defeat of the Central Powers. The war was virtually unprecedented in the slaughter, carnage, and destruction it caused.
World War I, also called First World War or Great War, an international conflict that in 1914–18 embroiled most of the nations of Europe along with Russia, the United States, the Middle East, and other regions. The war pitted the Central Powers—mainly Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey—against the Allies—mainly France,Great Britain, Russia, Italy, Japan, and, from 1917, the United States. It ended with the defeat of the Central Powers. The war was virtually unprecedented in the slaughter, carnage, and destruction it caused.
wwi_timeline.xlsx | |
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key_terms_wwi_ib.docx | |
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What caused the First World War?
"I heard that it started when a bloke called Archie Duke shot an ostrich 'cause he was hungry."
The wisdom of Baldrick (Blackadder Goes Forth)
"I heard that it started when a bloke called Archie Duke shot an ostrich 'cause he was hungry."
The wisdom of Baldrick (Blackadder Goes Forth)
The Causes of War
What caused the First World War is a complex issue. It is helpful to organise these causes thematically in order to reach a judgement about the M.A.I.N. (S) causes of the outbreak of war in August 1914. Although there are limitations to this approach and you need to also consider issues which don't conveniently fit into an acronym.
Other Revision mnemonics for this topic:
First World War caused by MANIA Militarism - Alliances - Nationalism - Imperialism - Awful governments (i.e. bad diplomacy in the July crisis).
July crisis best explained by the four steps of ARSE Austria declares war (28 July) - Russia mobilises (31 July) - Schlieffen Plan (1,3 August) - England declares war (4 August).
What caused the First World War is a complex issue. It is helpful to organise these causes thematically in order to reach a judgement about the M.A.I.N. (S) causes of the outbreak of war in August 1914. Although there are limitations to this approach and you need to also consider issues which don't conveniently fit into an acronym.
Other Revision mnemonics for this topic:
First World War caused by MANIA Militarism - Alliances - Nationalism - Imperialism - Awful governments (i.e. bad diplomacy in the July crisis).
July crisis best explained by the four steps of ARSE Austria declares war (28 July) - Russia mobilises (31 July) - Schlieffen Plan (1,3 August) - England declares war (4 August).
Practices of War
Why did the WWI last so long?
War fever gripped the populations of Europe; many felt the war to be just and necessary and all felt that the war would be short and that soldiers would be home by Christmas. Unfortunately, the quick glorious victories that were expected did not take place. Instead the war lasted four years, during which fighting took place on several “fronts” and which led to a number of technological developments on land, in the air and at sea.
Task: Begin by using the reading (pp38-57 of Rogers, Causes, Practices and Effects of War) and then use the "useful resources" section below to look for examples of the fighting, strategy and technological (including medical) developments in the following areas and then consider how those factors may have contributed to why the war lasted so long. Find the link to this as a Googledoc on Google Classroom.
Why did the WWI last so long?
War fever gripped the populations of Europe; many felt the war to be just and necessary and all felt that the war would be short and that soldiers would be home by Christmas. Unfortunately, the quick glorious victories that were expected did not take place. Instead the war lasted four years, during which fighting took place on several “fronts” and which led to a number of technological developments on land, in the air and at sea.
Task: Begin by using the reading (pp38-57 of Rogers, Causes, Practices and Effects of War) and then use the "useful resources" section below to look for examples of the fighting, strategy and technological (including medical) developments in the following areas and then consider how those factors may have contributed to why the war lasted so long. Find the link to this as a Googledoc on Google Classroom.
Useful Sources
Below are a selection of useful resources to complete the exercise on the practices of war.
Below are a selection of useful resources to complete the exercise on the practices of war.
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Practices of War
Now you have investigated HOW the war was fought it is time to reflect on how the nature of the fighting affected the outcome of the war. The two key questions here are WHY DID THE WAR LAST SO LONG and WHY DID THE ALLIES WIN.
Task: Why did the war last so long?
Read the attached article by Graham Darby and make some bullet point notes in answer to those two key questions.
Now you have investigated HOW the war was fought it is time to reflect on how the nature of the fighting affected the outcome of the war. The two key questions here are WHY DID THE WAR LAST SO LONG and WHY DID THE ALLIES WIN.
Task: Why did the war last so long?
Read the attached article by Graham Darby and make some bullet point notes in answer to those two key questions.
why_wwi_lasted_so_long_and_allies_won_darby.pdf | |
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Task: Why did Germany lose the war?
Using the attached file create a mindmap showing why Germany lost the war.
Using the attached file create a mindmap showing why Germany lost the war.
why_did_allies_win_wwi.pdf | |
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Task: To what extent was WWI a Total War?
total_war_exercise_2016.doc | |
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Effects of War
When the delegates of the "victorious" powers met at Versailles near Paris in 1919 to attempt to create a peace settlement, they faced a Europe that was a very different from that of 1914, and one that was in a state of turmoil and chaos. The old empires of Germany, Russia, and Austria-Hingary had disappeared, and various successor states were struggling to replace them. A Communist revolution had taken place in Russia and there appeared to be a real threat of revolution spearding across Europe. In addition, there had been terrible destruction, and the population of Europe now faced the problems of starvation, displacement, and a lethal flu epidemic. Its far-reaching effects resounded in the world for decades in the forms of changing politics, economics and public opinion.
Social & Economic Effects
Task: Using the packet create a mindmap showing the Social, Economic and Cultural effects of WWI. Make sure you use examples from different countries. Colour code your mindmap to show which effects in each country you think are most significant. Make sure you try to show links between effects.
Task: Essay
Effects of War on Women
Effects of War on Women
Political Effects
Against the difficult background of the aftermath of WWI, the leaders of Britain, the USA and Italy attempted to create a peace settlement. The fact that the settlement was to break down within 20 years has led many historians to view it as a disaster that contributed to the outbreak of World War TWo. More recently, however, historians have argued that the peacemakers did not fully comprehend the scale of the problems in 1919, therefore it is not surprising they did not create a lasting peace.
Task: Problems facing the Peacemakers in 1919
Read pp80-83 and make some brief notes about issues which created a difficult task for the peacemakers under the following headings
Recovery Aims Peace Settlement Popular Sentiment
(Key factors about the cost of war) (of the Peacemakers) (in different countries)
Read pp80-83 and make some brief notes about issues which created a difficult task for the peacemakers under the following headings
Recovery Aims Peace Settlement Popular Sentiment
(Key factors about the cost of war) (of the Peacemakers) (in different countries)
Task: Terms of the Treaties
Using pages 84-87 and pages 91-94 complete the table about the terms of all of the Peace Treaties.
NB - Page 94 includes criticisms of the other peace treaties which will be useful here.
Using pages 84-87 and pages 91-94 complete the table about the terms of all of the Peace Treaties.
NB - Page 94 includes criticisms of the other peace treaties which will be useful here.
PARIS 1919
The last shots had been fired in the First World War — but peace had yet to be made. Inspired by Margaret MacMillan’s acclaimed work of popular history, Paris 1919 takes us inside the most ambitious peace talks in history, revisiting the event with a vivid sense of narrative. Evoking a pivotal moment when peace seemed possible, director Paul Cowan reflects upon the hard-learned lessons of history.
The last shots had been fired in the First World War — but peace had yet to be made. Inspired by Margaret MacMillan’s acclaimed work of popular history, Paris 1919 takes us inside the most ambitious peace talks in history, revisiting the event with a vivid sense of narrative. Evoking a pivotal moment when peace seemed possible, director Paul Cowan reflects upon the hard-learned lessons of history.
Responses to the Treaty of Versailles
Assessments of the Treaty of Versailles caused much debate amongst contemporaries and historians alike.
Task: Contemporary Responses
Complete the source analyses on pages 87 & 88 in "Activity 5".
Task: Differing Views of Versailles
Using pages 87-91 and the article "An Impossible Task" below by Margaret MacMillan create a summary table of assessments of Versailles under the following headings. Include the main arguments that Versailles was too harsh, fair or too lenient. Make a note of the particular historian where appropriate.
"Too Harsh" "Fair" "Too Lenient"
Task: Contemporary Responses
Complete the source analyses on pages 87 & 88 in "Activity 5".
Task: Differing Views of Versailles
Using pages 87-91 and the article "An Impossible Task" below by Margaret MacMillan create a summary table of assessments of Versailles under the following headings. Include the main arguments that Versailles was too harsh, fair or too lenient. Make a note of the particular historian where appropriate.
"Too Harsh" "Fair" "Too Lenient"
an_impossible_task_versailles.pdf | |
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The League of Nations and Collective Security in the 1920's