Causes of the first world war

Thus, by the end of 1907, Europe was divided into two armed camps: The Entente, containing France, Britain and Russia opposed by the alliance of Germany, Austrio-Hungary and Italy.

DO YOU STILL KNOW THE FOLLOWING ?

independence : The right of a person or group to make their own decisions and to act in their own best interests

democracy : Government for the people through representatives that have been elected (by voting) freely

Originally the objective of the concept “democracy” was the protection of minorities. Democracy is sometimes summarised in the expression “one man, one vote”.

autocrat : Person who requires matters to be done without considering the wishes of others

Assignment:

[lo 2.1]

• Now draw a TIME LINE and write down the following dates. Next to each date, write down an important historical event of that year.
• 1871, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907
• /10/

Assignment:

[lo 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5]

• Consult a map of Africa in 1918 (at the end of the First World War). Study the map carefully and then answer the questions that follow.

• MAP QUESTIONS:

1. Which European language do you think, the people of Algeria spoke? Why? /2/

2. Which European religion was mostly followed in Libya? Why? /2/

3. The ruler of the formerly independent Abyssinia declared in 1936, after Italy occupied his country, that his people of 12 million must depend on others’ sense of fair play and therefore he asked for the help of the super powers and the League of Nations. Abyssinia had neither weapons or natural resources.

3.1 Name any ADVANTAGE or BENEFIT of having an independent state. /2/

3.2 Name any DISADVANTAGE of having an independent state. /2/

4. Of what use is a map as a source to the historian? /2/

/ 10 /

Activity 3:

To discuss the arms race as the third cause of the first world war

[lo 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.3]

READING 3

During the ten years between 1905 and 1914 the Super Powers spent vast amounts on armaments. Germany saw the Entente between France, Britain and Russia as an attempt to surround the country. Thus German improved and expanded its military power on ground scale.

The British forces were under the command of the experienced Lord Haldane who organized them so they would be ready to meet any threat. Belgium also responded to the German threat by lengthening its conscription time (period of military training). Russia increased the number of weapon factories and developed new strategies for warfare.

Weapons technology progressed immensely. For example, in 1906 Britain built a battleship , the d readnought , which was heavily armoured and equipped with heavy cannons . The Germans developed a new type of warfare at sea by using submarines . Despite disarmament conferences, distrust and hostility between the Super Powers increased and war became inevitable.

Assignment:

• Now look at all the words in bold in Reading 3. In Reading 4 there is further information on WEAPONS , TECHNOLOGY and STRATEGY . When doing this, go a step further and discuss the changes or similarities in weapons over time. Pay thorough attention to IMPROVEMENTS, in weapons.