THE FIRST WORLD

WAR, 1914–18
CAUSES OF WW1
 HOW MIGHT THESE Starter
RELATE TO CAUSES OF Activity
WAR?

A B

C D
 The First World War,
LO1: To understand how the system of alliances 1914–18
that built up across Europe led to the First
World War
Causes of WW1

Success Criteria:
• To be able to describe the alliance systems that
developed across Europe.
• To be able to explain the consequences of the
alliance systems.
Vocabulary

LO1: to understand
how the system of
alliances that built up
across Europe led to
the First World War
LO1: to understand how the system of alliances that built
up across Europe led to the First World War
Group Activity
LO1: to understand
how the system of
alliances that built up
across Europe led to
the First World War
The Dual Alliance
LO1: to understand how
1871 the system of alliances
The Franco-Prussian War resulted in that built up across
defeat for France. Germany began to Europe led to the First
make alliances with other countries, World War
strengthening their position within
Europe and preventing France from
gaining allies and attempting to regain her
lost land of Alsace-Lorraine. 1879
Germany signed an alliance with
1878 Austria-Hungary, known as the
Dual Alliance. The two powers
The Russo-Turkish war saw losses for promised each other support in
Turkey and increased influence for case of attack by Russia. Also,
Russia over the Balkan states. It also each state promised to stay
revealed Russia’s clear intent to seek neutral if the other was attacked
further power in this region. by another European power.
The Triple Alliance

1881 LO1: to understand how

Italy lost out to France in an attempt to
establish a colony in North Africa, and
the system of alliances
wanted support against further losses to that built up across
France. Europe led to the First
World War
1882
The Dual Alliance between Germany and Austria-
Hungary became a Triple Alliance in 1882 when The Issue
Italy also signed the agreement.
The terms of the
Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy were now alliance were kept a
allies. They promised to help each other in case of secret from the rest of
war with any other nation. Europe…
For example, any nation that attacked Germany
would now also have to go to war with both
Austria-Hungary and Italy.
The Triple Entente
1907
1893 Britain and Russia settled some long-
As a result of the terms being kept running disputes and joined forces
secret, France believed that the Triple against the increasing threat of the
Alliance was an offensive alliance Triple Alliance.
aimed at her. In reality the Triple LO1: to understand
Alliance was a defensive alliance, but how the system of
after being easily defeated in the alliances that built up
1870s, France feared German influence across Europe led to
and power. As a result, it joined with the First World War
Russia in the Franco-Russian alliance in
1893.

1904 Great Britain, France and Russia

The Entente Cordiale was signed
between Britain and France, offering were now joined together in an
mutual support and security against alliance called the Triple Entente.
Germany’s growing power. The word ‘entente' is French and it
means ‘understanding’.
 By 1914, countries in Europe were
becoming really suspicious of each
other. They started forming ‘friendship
groups’ to work together.
LO1: to understand how
the system of alliances
that built up across
Europe led to the First
World War
 Europe in 1914
Conditions in Europe prior
to WW1
LO1: to understand how
the system of alliances
that built up across
Europe led to the First
World War
 Europe in 1914
Conditions in Europe prior
to WW1
LO1: to understand how
the system of alliances
that built up across
Europe led to the First
World War
 LO1: to understand how the system
of alliances that built up across
Europe led to the First World War

A dispute between two rival powers

could draw all the nations of Europe
into war.
The ambitions, fears and hatred LO1: to understand how
of the two groups had the system of alliances
plunged the world in darkness that built up across
Europe led to the First
World War

The complicated and unstable

system of alliances and
conflicting secret treaties
crashed down in July 1914.
Plenary
LO1: to understand how
the system of alliances
that built up across
Europe led to the First
World War

 Success Criteria:

• I can describe the

alliance systems
that developed
across Europe.
• I can explain the
consequences of the
alliance systems.
Check your understanding
LO1: to understand how
the system of alliances
that built up across
Europe led to the First
World War

Colour your own copy of

the ALLIANCES map.
…Feel free to also add
some notes as additional
information!
 Homework

1. After watching the video, create a timeline of

web of alliances that emerged between 1870 to
1914.

2. Write a short paragraph to explain why the

alliances might increase the risk of war.
Research and make notes

❑Triple Entente
Plenary

Can you suggest an arrangement of alliances that will reduce the likelihood of
war breaking out?