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Rationale
The aim of this lesson is to introduce students to the complexity of the causes of the First World War. As the second lesson in the unit, the aim here is to introduce students to the specic content knowledge and background information necessary to studying this time period. Key terms covered will include: Militarism, the Alliance System, and Nationalism. Questions for critical thinking:
1. 2. 3.
Do international organizations and alliances prevent or promote conict? Was the First World War a necessary war? Why did Canada join in?
Assessment
Formative:
Entry and Exit Slips General vs Specic causes of WWI T-Chart
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DURATION: 75 MINUTES
SOCIAL STUDIES 11
Materials
A/V Equipment Blank Map Worksheet (x30)
Procedures
1.
(10 minutes) Entry Slip: Respond to the following statement: There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.-Niccolo Machiavelli
This short activity is intended to get students thinking about the nature of war and the
question of why wars are fought. The activity can be adapted into a class discussion if students are struggling with the quote.
2.
(15 minutes) The Nations of Europe (1914 edition). In groups of four, students will work together to ll in the blank map worksheet with Nation names and alliances. Students can refer to their textbooks.
The aim of this activity is for students to familiarize themselves with the map of Europe,
3.
(15-20 minutes) Teacher-led explanation of the alliance systems, militarism, nationalism and the outbreak of war, using The BBC Causes of WW1 video (3:00): http://bit.ly/XQT7MJ and The July Crisis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4wZNs5I1wI#at=80 (6:00)
The videos can be paused at key moments to explain important terms and answer
Terms that should be covered during this period: Militarism, Nationalism, the Alliance
4.
specic causes of the First World War. The aim of this activity is for students to dierentiate the historical signicance of dierent events and trends (ie. The dierence between the assassination and the Alliance system).
5.
(5 minutes) Four Corners Activity on the statement: International organizations and alliances prevent war
Have students in each corner discuss together their reasons for taking the position they
did.
6.
(10 minutes) Exit Slip: Was the First World War a necessary war?...Why do you think Canada joined?
These questions are intended to both reect what learning has occurred during the
class, and leave students with the question of why Canada would join--a subject to be covered at the beginning of the next class.
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DURATION: 75 MINUTES