World War I


Peace in Europe: Understand the early ideas which led most of Europe to believe war was not possible. 

  • Industrial revolution and advanced technology

  • Peace movements and Alliances

  • The Franco-Prussian War and its impact


Understand and be able to explain the MAIN long term causes of war.

  • The rise of nationalism, understand the reasons behind this and some of the main causes and regional issues

  • The rise of militarism and the causes and effects of it

  • Complicated alliances: explain the formation of the alliances across Europe, the key countries and people as well as the timelines. Understand the motivations behind the alliances

  • The Ottoman Empire, ethnic nationalism and the Balkans


Short term causes of the war

  • The assassination of the Archduke and his wife

  • The Black Hand

  • The Blank check assurance

  • A-H ultimatum and Serbia’s response


The outbreak of War

  • Understand and explain the chain of events that led to fighting

  • The July Crisis and accompanying dates

  • Explain why many Europeans thought it would be a short war

  • The formation of the Allies and the Central powers

  • The Schlieffen Plan and the major battles of the war

  • Key elements that defined the war including emerging technology and Trench warfare


US Entry into WWI and Russian Collapse

  • The Monroe Doctrine and Roosevelt Corollary

  • American Neutrality, Trade and Freedom of the seas

  • Unrestricted Submarine warfare

  • Zimmerman Telegram

  • The Romanov, Provisional and Soviet governments

  • Armistice and the treaty of Brest-Litovsk - implications and effects