High School History Teacher
Was World War I Inevitable?
Background: Called “The Great War” or the “War to end all wars,” the Entente allies, France, the British Empire, America, Russia, Italy, and Japan engaged in a brutal struggle against the central powers, Germany, Austria-Hungry, and the Ottoman Empire. What it inevitable these nations to come to such a violent clash?
Is it suggested that you follow these steps:
1. Do the Hook Exercise.
2. Read the Background Essay.
3. Skim through the 8 documents to get a sense of what they are about.
4. Read the documents slowly. In the margins, or on a Document Analysis Sheet, record the main idea of each document.
5. Organize the documents by analytical category or bucket.
6. Develop a thesis and, using the evidence in the documents, argue what caused World War 1.
The Documents:
Document A - The Franco-Russian Alliance Military Convention - August 18, 1892
Document B - Aftermath of Attacks Against the Serbs in Sarajevo
Document C - Alliance/Entente Map
Document D - Paris Declaration Respecting Maritime Law
Document E – Military Spending Chart
Document F - The World Shared
Document G - Propaganda
Document H – The Sinking of the Lusitania
Important Vocabulary:
Annexation
Patron
Successions
Powder Keg
Nationalism
Assassination
Ultimatum
Sphere of Influence
Mobilization
Reparations