Lesson 1: World War I

What factors led to the outbreak of World War I?
How did alliances and nationalism contribute to the expansion of the conflict?
How do historians evaluate responsibility for the war?

Nationalism
Militarism
Alliance systems
Global conflict

HIS.9-12.3 Analyze complex relationships among multiple causes and effects of historical events.
HIS.9-12.4 Analyze the causes and consequences of historical events on a global scale.

Students analyze cause-and-effect relationships and interpret historical arguments.

Students examine the political tensions and alliances that contributed to the outbreak of World War I and evaluate how regional conflict expanded into global war. Primary DOK level: 4.

Connections to modern geopolitical alliances and international conflicts.

Students may attribute the war to a single event rather than long-term tensions.

Cause-and-effect graphic organizers.
Structured group discussion.

Short analytical paragraph explaining the multiple causes of World War I.

Alliance maps, political cartoons, excerpts from political speeches.