6. What caused the First World War?
This section of your course will look at why this war broke out - the long term tensions that had been simmering between the Great Powers of Europe from 1900 and the short term causes which turned these tensions into outright conflict.
6.1 Did Alliance System & global diplomacy make war more likely?
The years after 1900 saw the major powers of Europe feeling less secure as rivalries between them became more intense. Even Britain abandoned its policy of 'splendid isolation' in 1902 to make an alliance...
6.2 Did colonial problems create tensions between the Great Powers?
This section explores the extent to which the colonial rivalries and ensuing problems created tensions between the Great Powers.Starter Activity: AO3In pairs look at the map above and discuss the following...
6.3 Why were problems in the Balkans so difficult to solve?
By 1900 the Balkans area in Europe was a 'powder-keg' ready to explode.The problems in the Balkans were a key factor in cementing the division of Europe and made a general war between the Great Powers...
6.4 How did the assassination of Franz Ferdinand lead to war?
The crises of 1905–13 had seen a marked deterioration in relations between the European Powers. There was increasing division between the two alliance systems and an increase in the arms race, including...