World History: World War I Lesson

Lesson Summary:
In this lesson, students examine the causes, major events, and consequences of World War I, the first truly global conflict. The lesson explores how rising militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism created tension in Europe and how a single assassination sparked a war that reshaped global politics, warfare, and international relations.

Students analyze the transition from traditional warfare to industrialized, total war, including trench warfare, new military technology, and the growing role of civilians and propaganda.

🧠 Topics Covered
Causes of World War I (M.A.I.N.)
Militarism and the European arms race
Alliances and the balance of power
Imperialism and competition for colonies
Nationalism and belief in national superiority
The Spark
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife in Sarajevo
Role of Gavrilo Princip and the Black Hand
Austria-Hungary, Germany’s “blank check,” and the July Crisis
Major Powers
Triple Entente: Britain, France, Russia
Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire
Warfare & the Western Front
Schlieffen Plan and invasion of Belgium
Stalemate and trench warfare
New weapons and technology:
Machine guns
Poison gas
Tanks
Submarines (U-boats)
Flamethrowers
Airplanes and aerial dogfights
United States Enters the War
Arrival of U.S. troops in 1918
Leadership of General John J. Pershing
German Spring Offensive
Major Battles
Battle of the Argonne Forest
Largest U.S. military offensive to that point
End of the War
German morale collapses
Armistice signed at 11:00 A.M. on November 11, 1918
Approximately 10 million total deaths, including 106,000 Americans

🌍 Total War & the Home Front
Mobilization of all national resources
Food rationing
Propaganda campaigns
Civilian labor and war production
Massive casualties among soldiers and civilians

📜 Peace & Consequences
Treaty of Versailles:
Article 231 (War Guilt Clause)
$33 billion in reparations
Loss of German territory
Military restrictions on Germany
Collapse of the German economy
Ottoman Empire loses Middle Eastern lands
Creation of new nations in Eastern Europe
League of Nations
Proposed by President Woodrow Wilson
First international peacekeeping organization
U.S. refusal to join and rise of isolationism
Replaced by the United Nations in 1943

🎯 Lesson Objective

Students will analyze the causes, conduct, and consequences of World War I and evaluate how the war reshaped global power, borders, warfare, and international diplomacy.

🧾 Matching Classroom Resources
📘 World History: World War I PowerPoint
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/World-History-World-War-1-PowerPoint-12678720

📝 World History: World War I Guided Notes (FREE)
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/World-History-World-War-1-Guided-Notes-12683054

📚 World History: World War I Vocabulary Activity
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/World-History-World-War-1-Vocab-Activity-12683060

All resources are available through Kloeker’s Education Foundation.

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