By: JGHMT

Lesson Title
California
State
Standards

Lesson 2
Causes of the War

10.5 Students analyze the causes and course of the First World
War.
1. Analyze the arguments for entering into war presented by
leaders from all sides of the Great War and the role of political
and economic rivalries, ethnic and ideological conflicts, domestic
discontent and disorder, and propaganda and nationalism in
mobilizing the civilian population in support of total war.
2. Examine the principal theaters of battle, major turning points,
and the importance of geographic factors in military decisions
and outcomes (e.g., topography, waterways, distance, climate).
Objectives Students will learn about the causes that led to the Great War.
Students will learn to connect major ideas regarding the cultural
traits in Europe at the time. Students will gain a greater
understanding why the war happened and why in Europe. They
will learn why there were so many countries involved in the war.
Students will be able to discuss the direct and indirect causes of
the war.
Introduction Students will be asked to draw upon prior knowledge and
/ Overview identify the causes of the war and write them on the classroom
board. I will then engage in the lecture discussing and
presenting students ideas.
Vocabulary/ World Ideologies: Nationalism and Liberalism
(Chain
Key Terms
Reaction)
Culture of War, Secretive Alliances, Territorial Expansion, Great
Powers, Imperialism, German Problem, Balkans Nationalism,
International Relations
Keiser Wilhelm II, Naval Power, Franz Ferdinand, Austria Hungary
v. Serbia
Context
Flaw International Relations, secret agreements between
countries. That if one country went to war other countries will
follow. No forum for diplomacy to try to negotiate things before
going to war.
The German Problem, Kaiser Wilhelm II aggressive ruler,
wanted to make Germany a powerful country in the global
stage. He builds up a German Navy, gear military, seen as
aggressive state by many Europeans.
Imperialism will widen the scope of World War I, making a total
war around the globe.
Culture of War in Europe; the shortening the years of war was
possible by the advances in technology. There was a mood of
acceptance of war, war is brief, profitable because you get what
you want, and war is glorious.
Direct cause is nationalism in the Balkans Regions. The

By: JGHMT
assassination of the air to the throne of Austria, Franz Ferdinand,
sparked WWI causing a chain reaction.

Focal Ideas

Materials
Activities
Time
Assessment

Reflection/N
ext Lecture
Preview

Direct and indirect causes of the war. Flawed international

relations, secretive diplomacy, What was the German
Problem? What does Culture of War means? And how do society
support or ignored this idea? The assassination of Archduke
Franz Ferdinand. Were there Economical motives? Who is
involved?
PowerPoint Presentation and Classroom Clickers
Map of Europe and Asia
Images of the people in power and propaganda
Volunteer students will write on the board their ideas of what
caused the war (5-10 minutes)
50 Minutes Class Meeting
Using a clicker, students will complete pop quizzes (may include
extra credit points) during the lecture. This is aim to be as a poll
to make sure that the students are understanding the content
discuss. Students will talk to a peer next to them explaining
what the previous lecture was about at the beginning of the next
class meeting.
Students will be asked to do a 3 minute quick write as a
reflection of what the lecture was about (it could be an outline,
simple sketch, key words, etc.)