EQ​: How do unresolved conflicts affect future events?

 
FQ​: What were the causes of World War I? 
Today’s Learning Target​: I can describe the causes of World War I. 
Thursday, March 26, 2020 

DO NOW​: 
 
Task​: Watch the ​video​, ​How a wrong turn started World War I ​and complete the questions below. (1 
point) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Why was Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated? 
Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated because he had power and he wanted to take over 
Bosnia. 
 
 
   
 ACTIVITY​: one 
 
Task:​ Read (or listen) and ​annotate​ the ​documents​ below (there are FOUR), watch the ​videos​ (there 
are THREE) and complete the ​graphic organizer summary​ on the last page. 
 
DOCUMENT ONE​: Militarism Watch the Militarism video here! 
 
Leading up to World War I, countries in Europe were 
strong proponents of militarism. This led to an ​arms 
race ​where nations spent more and more money on 
military technology, employing more troops, and 
training their soldiers.  
 
As European nations continued to pursue ​imperialism​, 
or the conquest of other nations, they built up their 
armies. In order to gain colonies, they needed to have 
strong militaries to defeat the people they were 
colonizing as well as the other industrial nations that 
they were competing with.   
 
Having a strong military also fueled ​nationalism​. 
Having strong military power was considered a 
measurement of national pride, strength, and global 
status.  
 
 
 
DOCUMENT TWO​: Alliances 
 
To increase their own nations’ security, 
European powers signed ​treaties​, or written 
agreements with one another forming alliances.  
 
On the verge of World War I, there were two large 
alliances:  
1) Triple Entente ​or​ Allied Powers: ​United 
Kingdom (Great Britain), France, and 
Russia.  
 
2) Triple Alliance​ or ​Central Powers: 
Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.  
 
 
Watch the Alliances video here! 
 
   
 DOCUMENT THREE​: ​Imperialism  
 
European countries ​competed​ with each other all over the world in the 1800s and early 1900s to 
acquire more colonies. The search for ​raw materials ​to fuel industry and markets to buy goods in 
far-flung corners of the world led to increased tension in Europe. 
 
 
 

 
DOCUMENT FOUR​: Nationalism 
 
In the 1700s and 1800s, nationalism brought ​revolution 
and ​unification​ to Europe. Groups of people with common 
languages, histories, and cultures, like the Italians and 
Germans, fought to create their own countries out of older 
empires.  
 
Leading up to World War I, people in Europe started to 
define themselves based on their nation and in ​opposition 
to others. Pride in one’s country was at an all time high. 
Some ethnic groups that wanted to unify but were a part of 
the few empires left in Europe, like the Austrian Hungarian 
Empire and the Ottoman Empire, created tension by 
declaring their desire to rule themselves, otherwise known 
as ​sovereignty​.  
 
 
Watch the Nationalism video! 
 
 SUMMARY 
 
Task:​ Complete the graphic organizer below based on today’s lesson and your knowledge of Social 
Studies.  
 
 
Causes of World  Definition (1 point each)  How did this lead to WWI? (1 point 
War I  each) 

M​ ilitarism 
Having strong and Advanced 
weapons. 
This led to WWI because countries 
were competing to see who got better 
weapons.Having advanced technology 
made them stronger and improved 
their power. 

A​ lliances 
To come together and help a nation.  This led to WWI because Russia allied 
with the United Kingdom and France 
Germany,Allied with Austria Hungary 
and Italy. 

I​ mperialism 
To take over a country for resources.  This led to WWI because the counties 
also wanted resources. 

N​
 
ationalism 
Love for one country.  This led to WWI because people had 
pride for Their country and were 
willing to fight and die for it. 

 
 
Additional Resources​: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=XRcg_t2oJkc&feature=emb_logo 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHSQAEam2yc