these are the causes that led to the first world war

1. Define these Words
Arms:
Treaty:
Alliance:
Empire:
Nationalism:
Imperialism:
A country’s weapons, ship and soldiers (military).
Agreement between two countries.
Agreement between countries to fight together.
When one country rules over other countries.
Pride in your country; want to rule yourselves.
The belief of a country that it should have an
Empire.
Colonies: The actual land that Empires are made up of.

2. What were the long term causes
of the First World War?
Lesson Objectives:
Explain how long term causes are related
Evaluate the causes of WWI in terms of
importance

3. World War One
• In 1914, World War One broke out, sparked
off by the assassination of Archduke Franz
Ferdinand of Austria. Most of the countries
of Europe declared war other countries and
pretty soon Europe found itself in a two-way
fight.
• They lined up like this………

5. World War One
• However, there were longer term causes,
some that went back many decades. Today
we are going to look at these causes and
decide which were the most important.

6. Long Term Causes
• Sort – Put the cards you have into chronological
order (when they happened). Not all cards will have
a date, so ignore the ones that don’t (for now).
• Discuss – In your groups find three examples of
cards that are related causes. They might lead into
each other or might be very similar.
• Write – Note down these causes down in your book and explain how they are related.
• There are four main categories of long term causes, what are they? – write them down in your
book.
• Discuss – What do you notice about the dates?

7. Discuss – Arrange
your cards like
this on the table,
with most
important at the
top and least
important at the
bottom.
MOST
IMPORTANT
LEAST
IMPORTANT
Write – Write these
causes (two most
and two least)
down in your books
and explain why
you have chosen
them.

8. Extension
Answer the following:
• Was making so many alliances a good
decision for the European Great Powers? If
so, why? If not, why not?

9. Plenary
Discuss
• What was the
single most
important LONG
TERM cause in
your opinion?
Write
• Write down a
sentence that
explains why LONG
TERM causes are
important.

10. Plenary
Discuss
• What was the
single most
important LONG
TERM cause in
your opinion?
Write
• Write down a
sentence that
explains why LONG
TERM causes are
important.