The outbreak of war in 1914
I can explain how the assassination of Franz Ferdinand caused European powers to declare war on each other as a result of the alliance system.
The outbreak of war in 1914
I can explain how the assassination of Franz Ferdinand caused European powers to declare war on each other as a result of the alliance system.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Tensions rose in the Balkans due to the rise of nationalist movements and opposition to Austrian influence.
- The trigger for war was the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Serbia.
- German-supported Austria declared war on Serbia, supported by Russia.
- The system of alliances caused Germany and Russia to declare war, dragging other powers into the conflict.
- The failure of Germany's Schlieffen Plan, which assumed British neutrality, contributed to the outbreak of a global war.
Keywords
Nationalism - nationalism is the support for the political independence of a country
Assassinate - to assassinate someone is to murder an important person for a political or religious reason
Ultimatum - an ultimatum is a final demand which, if denied, will result in some form of retaliation
Mobilise - to mobilise is to prepare an army for war
Common misconception
That the assassination of Ferdinand led to the inevitable, immediate outbreak of a global war
The outbreak of the war was the result of a series of context-dependent events, including the Austrian ultimatum and the Schlieffen Plan
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: The outbreak of war in 1914, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: The outbreak of war in 1914, 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 serious crime
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
relationship between two (or more) countries
the support for the political independence of a country
to murder an important person for a political reason
a final demand which could result in retaliation
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a final demand which could result in retaliation
to prepare an army for war
the support for the political independence of a country