Warm Up – February 9 Respond to the following question on a post it using your notes from yesterday and what you learned from working on your presentations: Of all the factors that led to the collapse of the Roman Empire, which factor do you believe was most responsible?

DBQ INTRODUCTION Thesis – simplify, 1-2 sentences – use the causes described in the documents “While many historians feel that the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand was the primary cause of World War I, the war actually began because of increased militarization, the formation of alliances, and the aggressive actions of Germany.” Contextualization – what is going on at this time (2 – 3 sentences) “Industrialization in Europe led many European nations to look for resources in India and Africa. The “Scramble for Africa” led to increased militarization and nationalism as nations attempted to expand their empires and gain resources. This eventually led to increased competition and tensions amongst the different European powers.”

DBQ INTRO While many historians feel that the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand was the primary cause of World War I, the war actually began because of increased militarization, the formation of alliances, and the aggressive actions of Germany. Industrialization in Europe led many European nations to look for resources in India and Africa. The “Scramble for Africa” led to increased militarization and nationalism as nations attempted to expand their empires and gain resources. This eventually led to increased competition and tensions amongst the different European powers.

GROUPING PARAGRAPHS First sentence states the grouping and the reason for grouping them. “Documents 1 and 6 discuss militarism as a cause for the war.” DO NOT describe what is in the document – unnecessary – go directly into relating the document to the question. Document 1 illustrates how countries such as Great Britain, France, Russia and Germany were all increasing the amount of money spent building up their militaries. Countries were mobilizing to go to war. This is supported by the statement made by Sidney Bradshaw Fay (Doc 6) when he states that all countries were mobilizing and getting ready to go to war. Increased military spending made the war inevitable.

GROUPING PARAGRAPH Documents 1 and 6 discuss militarism as a cause for the war. Document 1 illustrates how countries such as Great Britain, France, Russia and Germany were all increasing the amount of money spent building up their militaries. Countries were mobilizing to go to war. This is supported by the statement made by Sidney Bradshaw Fay (Doc 6) when he states that all countries were mobilizing and getting ready to go to war. Increased military spending made the war inevitable. An additional document that would be beneficial would be a primary source document from a statement made by Otto Von Bismarck, the chancellor of Germany. Bismarck believed that military conquest was essential for the expansion of Germany. Bismarck’s “Blood and iron” serves as an example of how European nations were building up their militaries as a way of expanding their empires. This would eventual lead to conflict and war.

POINT OF VIEW Point of view – describing WHY the author is stating what they are stating Count Rantzau, whose purpose as a delegate of Germany at the Versailles Peace Conference (Doc 5) was to convince the other countries that Germany was not to blame for the war, illustrates that it was the the European nations need to retaliate and expand that caused the war, not Germany.