Growing international tension in the early 1900s
I can explain how increased tension in Europe towards the end of the nineteenth century led to the formation of military alliances.
Growing international tension in the early 1900s
I can explain how increased tension in Europe towards the end of the nineteenth century led to the formation of military alliances.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The increasing influence of Germany in the early twentieth century caused anxiety in Britain.
- Germany signed a military alliance with Italy and Austria-Hungary in 1882, known as the Triple Alliance.
- By 1907, Britain had formed a military alliance with Russia and France, known as the Triple Entente.
- In the early twentieth century powers in Europe began building up their militaries, known as the 'arms race'.
Keywords
Alliance - an alliance is a relationship between two (or more) countries for a particular purpose
Arms race - an arms race is a competition between nations for military superiority and the development of weapons
Military - the military is anything related to the armed forces of a country
Kaiser - Kaiser is the German word for emperor
Empire - an empire is a group of states or countries ruled over by a single country or monarch
Common misconception
Everyone knew what was agreed by countries which had made alliances before the start of the war.
Explain that important parts of the alliance agreements were not made public so other countries did not know about them.
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: Growing international tension in the early 1900s, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: Growing international tension in the early 1900s, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the World War One: how 'total' was it for people in the British Empire? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Starter quiz
6 Questions
The part of the armed forces that works on land.
The part of the armed forces that works at sea.
A relationship between two or more countries.
To develop industries on a large scale.
Anything related to the armed forces of a country.
Exit quiz
6 Questions
Triple Alliance
Triple Entente
Triple Entente
Triple Alliance
Triple Alliance
Triple Entente