1. Standards:
SS6H6d. Explain the impact of European empire building in Africa and Asia on the outbreak of WWI.
SS6H7a.Describe major developments following World War I: the Russian Revolution, the Treaty of Versailles, worldwide depression, and the rise of Nazism

2. Activator: Based on European exploration, what are some conflicts might occur?

3. What is an empire?
An empire is a group of countries or regions that are controlled by one ruler or one government.
You might could use examples such as Star Wars [Galactic Empire] or Star Trek [Romulan Empire]. The students may be able to come up with several examples from video games.

4. The countries of Portugal, Spain, England, and France led the exploration and colonization movement and built individual empires across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

5. European Empires
You may want students to label the continents.

6. Empire of Portugal

7. Empire of Spain

8. British Empire [England or United Kingdom]

9. Empire of France

10. Distributed/Summarizing Strategy
You are the King / Queen of a European country and have been able to established a large empire. What would you do if another country tried to take the land you control?

11. Essential Question: How did World War I change Europe and the world?

12. World War I

13. Causes of World War I
"The Great War was without precedent ... never had so many nations taken up arms at a single time. Never had the battlefield been so vast…never had the fighting been so gruesome..." 13

14. Causes of World War I Activity
Students work in groups to analyze political cartoons to determine the causes of World War I. 14

15. Use the MAIN Graphic Organizer to take notes

16. Causes of World War I
Militarism – building up armed forces, getting ready for war
Alliances – agreements or promises to defend and help another country; pact / promise
Imperialism – trying to build up an empire (powerful country that controls several less powerful countries)
Nationalism – having pride in your country, willing to defend it (no matter the cost)
After introducing the MAIN causes of WWI, have students go back and identify which political cartoon illustrates each concept.

17. Militarism
Countries had built strong armies and navies to defend their own countries and their colonies. Tensions built as countries watched each other build up military power.

18. Can you think of any recent examples of militarism?

19. Alliances
European countries had joined alliances to better protect themselves. If one member was attacked, the others were obligated to help that country. 19

20. How could Germany’s location in Europe be a problem for them?

21. To solve its problem, Germany and other countries formed alliances.
Germany’s problem was that it was in the middle of Europe. Being in the middle made it vulnerable if it came to war.
To solve its problem, Germany and other countries formed alliances.

22. By 1914, Europe was divided into two massive alliances.

23. Distributed Summarizing
With a seat partner, discuss a time in your life when an alliance (with a friend, family member, or someone else) has caused problems.

24. Imperialism
Rivalries developed as countries tried to grab colonies. Conflicts had occurred over control of colonies in Africa and Asia. European countries resented and distrusted each other. 24

25. Nationalism
Pride in one’s country; nations sought their own interests over others. Many groups wanted to be free from the control of other nations. 25

26. Distributed Summarizing
Could World War I have been prevented? Why or why not? Would we have had the technological advances without WWI?

27. Ckpt: Causes of World War I
Imperialism
Militarism
Nationalism
Alliances
agreements or promises to defend and help another country
trying to build up an empire (powerful country that controls several less powerful countries
building up armed forces, getting ready for war
having pride in your country, willing to defend it

28. Militarism

29. Building up of armed forces Getting ready for war

30. Alliances

31. Agreements or promises to defend and help another country.

32. Imperialism

33. Trying to build up an empire and control more land Powerful country that controls several less powerful countries

34. Nationalism

35. Having strong (fierce) pride in your country Willing to defend your country no matter the cost