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
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
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