Name: Web of Alliances as a Cause of World War I

Date: 12-1-14
minutes

Lesson Length: 45

Lesson Aim for Today: Gaining understanding of the Web of Alliances and its causes
of World War I. I will demonstrate that these alliances were what led to the Baltic
Powder Keg and how each of the countries were connected by these Mutual Defense
Alliances.

Student Learning Objective: Students will demonstrated a knowledge of the Web of

Alliances. This web is what led to the main outbreak of World War I through the
Mutual Defense Alliances that became popular during the years before the war.
Understanding this, what countries were aligned with who, and how many there
were will allow for students you grasp why the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
led to the war.

Introduction: Student will have a Bell Ringer as usual. The question for todays
class will be one pertaining to the last classs lesson.
What countries were involved in the so called arms race leading to World War
I?

Content:
-Students will be learning about the Web of Alliances during the years prior to World
War I. They will be identifying countries involved and who was allied with who.
-Web of Alliance map handout attached
-Materials Needed:
Note Cards
Country Signs

Activities:
-Students will be split into groups for each major country involved in World War I.
They will be given a map of the alliances and a list of directions for how their
country would act if someone was declared war upon. They will then act out what
happened when the first countries began declaring war. This demonstration will
hopefully make it more interesting and memorable.

Questions:
-What was the name of the alliances that caused countries to declare war on
each other?
-Name three of the main alliances
-What were the first two countries to declare war on each other?

Check for Understanding

-Students would be asked another Exit Slip question with the question being one of
the questions above.