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

2. Standards:
SS6H3a.Describe major developments following World War I: the Russian Revolution, the Treaty of Versailles, worldwide depression, and the rise of Nazism

3. World War I

4. 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..." 4

5. Causes of World War I Activity
Students work in groups to analyze political cartoons to determine the causes of World War I. 5

6. Use the MAIN Graphic Organizer to take notes

7. 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.

8. 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.

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

10. Alliances
European countries had joined alliances to better protect themselves. If one member was attacked, the others were obligated to help that country. 10

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

12. 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.

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

14. 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.

15. 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. 15

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

17. 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

18. Major Developments Following World War I

19. Use the Major Developments in Europe Following WWI Timeline

20. Why did the Russian Revolution occur?
For many years before World War I, Russian citizens had suffered under the rule of Tsar (leader) Nicholas II.
The ruling class held the country’s wealth, and the people barely had enough food to eat.
Russia fought on the side of the Allies in World War I and suffered terrible losses.
By 1917, Russians were tired of food shortages, freezing from coal shortages, and exhausted by war.

21. What happened to Russia after the Russian Revolution?
Workers united against the Russian ruler, overthrew the monarchy, and killed Nicholas and his family.
A revolutionary group seized power and established the Soviet Union as a communist country.

22. The War is Over!
The Treaty of Versailles officially ended World War I. What is a treaty?

23. Treaty of Versailles Requirements (add requirements of the treaty to the Major Developments sheet)
It forced Germany to accept responsibility for causing the war
It required Germany to pay reparations (payments) to other countries for their losses and damage
It required Germany to give up 1 million square miles of land (size of Alaska and Texas combined) much of which was rich in natural resources (Why does this matter?)
It required Germany to limit its armed forces
Students write information on the Major Developments in Europe After WWI sheet

24. Treaty of Versailles Effects (add requirements of the treaty to the Major Developments sheet)
Germans greatly resented the restrictions put on it by the Treaty of Versailles.
Germans began to rise up in protest
economic conditions worsened.
Germany also became isolated from and distrusted by other countries.
Students write information on the Major Developments in Europe After WWI sheet

25. The World After World War I
Do a Word Splash with students brainstorming what they think the world was like after World War I. This discussion should lead to soldiers coming back with no jobs available; European cities damaged because of war; nations had war debt to repay. Ask questions such as what about Germany and their economy; what about other countries that lost land, did this impact them; what happened to cities during the war and how would this impact them after the war ended

26. After World War I
After World War I, the world economy slipped into a worldwide depression.
A depression is a time where business is bad and people lose their jobs.
Soldiers came home needing jobs, but there were not enough. Unemployment skyrocketed. (Listen to “Stony Broke in No Man’s Land”)
Students should add important information to Major Developments sheet. You may want to do the Germany After World War I handouts before moving to the rise of Nazism.

27. Worldwide depression
European countries were in bad shape because they had suffered great loss of life and property damage.
Additionally, European countries had borrowed money to pay for war costs and now had no money to repay their debts.
Countries experienced Inflation where their money couldn’t buy as much as it used to buy because it had lost value. How did that affect people?
In 1929, the stock market crash in the United States crippled the already struggling economies.
Students should add important information to Major Developments sheet. You may want to do the Germany After World War I handouts before moving to the rise of Nazism.

28. After WWI and Worldwide Depression
Industry, shipping, and trade between countries were affected
Unrest and nationalism grew, people wanted strong leadership to make their countries rich and powerful again
Students should add important information to Major Developments sheet. You may want to do the Germany After World War I handouts before moving to the rise of Nazism.

29. Why do you think the German people followed Hitler?
Image you are living in Germany after World War I. The world is in the middle of a depression. You do not have enough food, you do not have a job, and you do not believe the leaders of your country can improve the situation. On top of that, your country, the place where you were born and have lived all of your life is being blamed and punished for World War I.
Now, read Adolf Hitler’s speech on the Treaty of Versailles in 1923.
Watch a video clip of Hitler delivering a speech years later.
Why do you think the German people followed Hitler?

30. Rise of Nazism Background:
The democratic government in Germany after World War I (Weimar Republic) faced major problems
A political party called the Nazi Party attracted the attention of dissatisfied Germans
The Nazi Party’s leader, Adolf Hitler, described ideas to strengthen Germany
Hitler also believed that Aryans (Germans) were the “master race”; he had racist feelings about Jews, Slavs, gypsies, and blacks
The Nazi Party believed in a strong central government controlled by the military and run by a dictator

31. Why Nazism grew
Nazis offered solutions for Germany’s economic problems
Nazis appealed to German nationalism by calling for a larger military and an increase in German territory (violation of Treaty of Versailles)
Nazis united Germans against Jews by blaming them for the problems
Nazis assured Germans they could protect them from enemies
Nazis organized groups to threaten anyone who opposed them so few spoke out
Students should add important information to their Major Developments sheet