On 4th August 1914, Britain declared war on Germany in response to the German invasion of Belgium. People in Britain opened their newspapers the next morning and found out war had begun. It became known as 'The Great War' because it affected people all over the world and was the biggest war anyone had ever known.

100 years later the world remembers with gratitude, the great sacrifice made by thousands of men and women during the four years of The First World War.

Special services of remembrance have taken place in Britain and around the world. Light is the symbol of hope. One famous politician commented on the eve of World War One – ‘The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our life-time’.

This year on August 4 th 2014, 100 years to the day war was declared – many buildings were plunged into darkness between the hour of 10 p m and 11 p m. People joined in a symbolic action by turning off their lights except for a candle to remember and also to hope we have learned the importance of peace in our world. People gathered in towns and villages to pay their respects to the ‘fallen’ – those people who gave their lives for the freedom of others. A famous poem was read as it is read every year on Remembrance Day – recalling the sacrifice made by so many.... They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

The great and significant difference between this war and all others prior to it was that, as its name implies, it was the first truly global war. The reason for it becoming so was very much part of why it happened at all: ‘empire’. For the world, as still it is today, was being played like a board game. Excerpt from: The First World War 1914 – 1918 Essays & Reflections from The Ypres Salient Tim Hare

Empire: a group of nations, territories or people ruled by a single authority, especially an emperor or empress.

The British Empire included all the territories that were ruled by Britain. Under Queen Victoria's rule, she doubled its size to make it the largest empire in history – it controlled 23% of the world’s surface and 458 million people at its peak. It was described as being the "Empire on which the sun never sets".

Children were taught about the British Empire in school and could easily find the countries of the Empire on a map as they were always coloured in pink or red. But there were many other empires in the world...

Possession gave power, and the big empires possessed much. Little was left. The result... fear of being dominated and jealously of others who had more. Things overheated. A war of empires began. Ironically, it would bring about the loss of these empires, at a vast cost to human life and so much else besides.

Trying to build up an empire. Germany wanted to build up her empire. This is known as imperialism. People were very proud of their countries and would do anything to defend them. This is known as nationalism.

In 1882 Austria-Hungary, Germany and Italy formed the Triple Alliance. The treaty provided that Germany and Austria-Hungary were to assist Italy if it were attacked by France without Italian provocation; Italy would assist Germany if attacked by France and in the event of war between Austria-Hungary and Russia, Italy promised to remain neutral.

Until the early 1900s, Britain was more concerned about Russia and France than Germany. Relations between Britain and Germany were very good. This began to change however when Kaiser Wilhelm II took control of Germany. He was anxious for Germany to be a great power. He built up his armed forces. France and Russia feared Germany and did the same. During the 1900s, all of the great powers in Europe began to build up their armies and navies. Building up armed forces and getting ready for war.

Britain intended that no country in Europe should become completely dominant. By about 1907 it was becoming clear to Britain that the greatest potential threat was going to be Germany. Germany seemed to be capable of dominating Europe. As a result, Britain began to support Russia and France. Britain joined the Triple Entente. Agreements or promises to defend and help another country.

Germany hoped Britain would stay out of the war altogether. However, the Germans knew that Britain had agreed to a treaty to defend Belgium. The Germans wanted the British government to ignore the treaty but when Germany attacked France, through Belgium, within hours Britain declared war on Germany. A promise made between nations with an aim to ensure safety and public welfare. The Kaiser said how foolish he thought the British were. He said that Britain had gone to war for the sake of a "scrap of paper".

A propaganda cartoon depicting Kaiser Wilhelm II trying to gain power... Queen Victoria’s judgement of her grandson was: ‘Such a hot-headed, conceited and wrong-headed young man’.

Children – learning can become so much more personal as you: Take ownership of your learning experience Improve reading comprehension, literacy, language, creativity, and problem-solving abilities Develop habits to become a lifelong learner Develop stronger memory recall Strengthen interpersonal skills Get better at integrating what you know into classroom discussions Increase self-motivation to learn about more subjects and ideas Have FUN!

War turns everything upside down, not just lives, and the way we might choose to live - but the very structures and values within, and by which, we would hope to live. The world must wonder at her children, as the children of the world must wonder too, when light becomes dark and ‘ humanity ’ loses both its sense and its meaning. Excerpt from: The First World War 1914 – 1918 Essays & Reflections from The Ypres Salient Tim Hare

A world at war..... What does it mean for people? What does it mean for the world? Questions for independent investigation: Why did the world resort to war in 1914? Why do we remember what happened 100 years ago? Work together within your team – to prepare a presentation of your ideas on these major questions.