Who was to blame for the start of World War One

1
Who was to blame for the start of World War One?
2
? Lesson overview

• Historians have several theories about what
  caused the start of WWI, which they often group
  into 3 categories trigger events, short-term
  long-term causes.

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Alliance system
Military build-up
3
Why was the Archduke assassinated?
4
Who was the Archduke?
How far is this empire from East to West?
What problems might an emperor have in
controlling his empire?
5
Film clip of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand his
wife Sophie taken moments before his death
6
What happened on 28 June 1914?
On a bright summers day, 28 June 1914, the
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie,
heirs to one of the wealthiest empires in Europe
got into their car and drove through the elegant
streets of Sarajevo in Bosnia. The couple were
extremely happy that day it was their wedding
anniversary.
7
Map showing the Archdukes journey through
Sarajevo
8
Artists impression of the moment when Gavrilo
Princip stepped forward to the car and shots the
Archduke in the chest, and Sophie in the stomach.
9
Both died within minutes from their wounds. Two
bullets were about to lead to the deaths of a
further 20 million men!
Gavrilo Princip, Serbian terrorist
Archdukes bloodstained jacket
10
How did the Alliance system lead to war?
Triple Entente
Triple Alliance
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia Russia
mobilises its army declares war on
Austria-Hungary Germany helps its ally,
Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia France
Britain help their allies and declare war on
Germany Austria-Hungary .
Germany Austria-Hungary Italy
Britain Russia France Serbia
11
How did military build-up cause war?

• Some historians think the causes of World War
  One go back even further, to the late nineteenth
  century when countries like Germany Britain
  were building up their empires and their armies
  and were determined to show the world who was
  boss!

12
? Extension task

• Discuss with your partner what you think was the
  most significant cause of the war.

13
? Your task

• You are going to hold a debate on who or what
  was most to blame for starting the First World
  War. Divide into 7 groups. Nominate a person who
  will be your representative in the debate. 1
  group will suggest the assassination was the
  cause, another group will argue it was the
  alliance system, the other groups will suggest it
  was the military build-up and political ambitions
  of their opponents.

14
? starter activity
You are about to hold a class debate on who was
to blame for the start of World War One. How can
you ensure your team wins the debate?
15
Possible ways

• Make sure everyone in the team is clear about
  their role
• Make your points using clear and convincing
  language
• Use lots of factual examples to back up your
  points
• Think about what points your opponents may use to
  undermine your arguments and have ready-made
  responses

16
? starter activity
Watch the introductory film to WWI and complete
the video questionnaire.
17
? Your task
Time capsule

• You are going to create a time capsule recording
  your research into the First World War. Imagine
  you have just found a long forgotten album, or
  shoe box filled with documents, artefacts and all
  sorts of memorabilia relating to the experiences
  of a relative involved in key events of the First
  World War. By going through the contents of this
  time capsule you and anyone else who looks
  inside will be able to get a vivid and detailed
  picture of what life was like for just one person
  those caught up in the so-called War to end all
  wars. Your time capsule could even include
  actual research into a member of your family!