Lesson 1: Europe Before World War I
Date: 12.2.2011
Section 1
Introduction
Syllabus for O Levels
Pop Quiz:
What is the alternative name for the World War I?
What was the alliance system?
What was the name of the alliance formed in 1879 between Germany and Austria-
Hungary?
When was Italy included into the alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary?
When was the Franco-Russian alliance formed?
Who were the members of the Triple Entente and when was the Entente formed?
Between 1908 and 1913, how much did military spending in European nations increase?
Was the pre-war period a time of prosperity for Europe? How do you know this?
Why were the Serbians unfriendly towards the Austria-Hungarians?
Section 2
Listen and read the following song. Try and picture yourself as a young man in Great
Britain. Would you sign up with the military to fight against the Germans?
A sentimental favourite at the start of war in 1914, Your King and Country Want You
was penned by Paul Rubens.
Rubens had established himself in the pre-war years as the author of numerous popular
musical shows. His shows included Mr Popple (of Ippleton) (1905), The Dairymaids
(1906), Miss Hook of Holland (1907) and The Sunshine Girl (1912).
A prolific author, lyricist and composer, Rubens' career was cut short by his early death
from consumption at the age of 41 in 1917.
Your King and Country Want You was notably used as a means of persuading young
men to enlist for military service in 1914. The veteran theatrical performer Vesta Tilley
often performed the song at recruitment rallies; men who declined to enlist at the end of
these were invariably handed white feathers by children chosen for the task.
Two versions of the song are included here (for which abridged lyrics are reproduced
below), both recorded in 1914. Edna Thornton and Helen Clark's renditions are
available using the player above.
Your King and Country Want You
We've watched you playing cricket and every kind of game,
At football, golf and polo you men have made your name.
But now your country calls you to play your part in war.
And no matter what befalls you
We shall love you all the more.
So come and join the forces
As your fathers did before.
Oh, we don't want to lose you but we think you ought to go.
For your King and your country both need you so.
We shall want you and miss you
But with all our might and main
We shall cheer you, thank you, bless you
When you come home again.
Section 3
Date Event
Assassination of ________________________, heir to the throne of
______________
Austro-Hungarian empire, in Sarajevo, Bosnia
______________ Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
July 29 -
Austria-Hungary repeatedly invades Serbia but is repeatedly repulsed
December 9
August 1 ____________________________________________
August 3 ____________ declares war on France
August 4 Germany invades neutral ___________
August 4 Britain declares war on ______________
August 4 US President __________________ declares policy of US neutrality
August 14 Battle of the Frontiers begins
August 17-19 Russia invades East Prussia
August 23 ___________ declares war on Germany
August 23 -
Austria-Hungary invades Russian ____________ (Galicia)
September 2
Battle of Tannenberg, which Russia loses; Germany's greatest success
August 26-30
of the war on Eastern Front
First Battle of Marne, halts German advance, resulting in stalemate and
September 5-10
trench warfare
September 9-14 First Battle of Masurian Lakes, which Russia loses
September 14 First Battle of Aisne begins
September 15 -
The "race to the sea", trenches appear on September 15
November 24
September 17-28 Austro-German attack on western Poland
October 14 -
First Battle of Ypres
November 22
October 29 Turkey enters the war on the side of the Central Powers
December 8 Battle of the Falkland Islands
December 21 First German air raid on Britain
December 25 Unofficial Christmas truce declared by soldiers along the Western Front
Homework Task:
Research on the immediate causes of World War I.
Be able to tell what is the difference between the short term and long term causes. Could
one have happened without the other?
