1

According to the text, what caused World War I? Please describe several possible factors.

Question 1-3 are designed to highlight how multiple explanations are valid when trying to explain the causes of the First World War. Political, economic, social and ideological structures but also individuals and coincidence can be pointed out and discussed.

2

Create a timeline with the central events described in the text leading to World War I.

3

What factors do you consider most important for the outbreak of World War I? Discuss different alternative explanations, take a stand and motivate your conclusion.

4

Was the First World War inevitable?

a. Analyze the arguments in the text and make a conclusion on whether World War I could have been avoided.

b. Compare your conclusion with a classmate, do you agree? Why, why not?

In relation to questions 4 and 5 it might be valuable to provoke a debate on how history is not necessarily determined only by structures and their logical function. As a teacher one can emphasize how history can be explained, but only to a certain extent. There are also things we cannot completely understand when we study the complexity of the world, not least due to the fact that we do not have all the facts, and humans are not robots.

5

How is it possible that France and Russia were part of the same Alliance after the Napoleonic wars?

France was politically isolated after the Napoleonic wars and Russia was military vulnerable holding borders to the triple alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy. Finding themselves on the margin and feeling threatened they started cooperating economically and politically to build up a “friendship”. This question is designed to highlight the fact that not all enemies are enemies forever, and also the fact that there are a number of factors involved in the decision to go to war. In this particular case it might be valuable to point out how alliances might be among partners of a common enemy rather than among friends. Also the fact that there are a number of interests and values behind the decision to join a war can be highlighted by pointing out to the students the paradoxes in taking part and choosing sides in conflicts.