DBQ – WHAT WERE THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF WWI?
DBQ – WHAT WERE THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF WWI?
STUDENT GUIDE SHEET
DIRECTIONS: Over a four year period from 1914
to 1918 Europe was beset by one of the most
terrible wars in human history. This DBQ asks
WHY SUCH A CATASTROPHE TOOK PLACE.
1. Read the BACKGROUND ESSAY
2. SKIM the documents to get a sense of what
they are about
DBQ – WHAT WERE THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF WWI?
STUDENT GUIDE SHEET
3. In the margin (on the side) of your paper,
record the MAIN IDEA of EACH document:
(We will work on these together – some you
will do with us, some you will do on your
own)
DBQ – WHAT WERE THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF WWI?
Go to page 3 of your packet “Categories You Will Use to
Organize Your Documents”
What is CONTEXT? To better understand something in
history, we MUST look at its context…
DEFINITION:
The political, social, cultural, & economic
setting for a particular idea or event.
Those things which surround it in time
& place & give it its meaning.
DBQ – WHAT WERE THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF WWI?
What is MILITARISM?
DEFINITION:
The army & military forces are given a high profile by
the government. Before WWI, the growing
European divide led to an arms race between the
main countries (BRITAIN, GERMANY, FRANCE)
DBQ – WHAT WERE THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF WWI?
What are ALLIANCES?
DEFINITION: An agreement made between 2 or more
countries to give each other help if it is needed.
When an alliance is signed, those countries become
known as Allies.
DBQ – WHAT WERE THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF WWI?
What is IMPERIALISM?
DEFINITION:
When a country takes over new lands or countries
and makes them subject to their rule.
DBQ – WHAT WERE THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF WWI?
What is NATIONALISM?
DEFINITION:
Being a strong supporter of
the rights and interests of
one's OWN country.
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
1)
When group members are assigned, write the FIRST & LAST NAMES
of each person in your group.
2)
WRITE YOUR GROUP NUMBER ON YOUR PAPER WHEN IT IS
GIVEN TO YOU.
3)
DISCUSS WITH YOUR PARTNERS WHAT YOU THINK (A.) THE MAIN
IDEA OF YOUR ASSIGNED DOCUMENT IS and (B.) THE ANSWERS TO
THE “SCAFFOLDING QUESTIONS” FOR YOUR ASSIGNED
DOCUMENT(S)
4) RECORD YOUR ANSWERS ON YOUR OWN NOTEBOOK
PAPER – YOU ALL WILL PRESENT IN CLASS
DO NOT WRITE ON YOUR PACKET UNTIL WE REVIEW
THE CORRECT ANSWERS IN CLASS!!!!!!
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS – How to set
up your notebook paper
GROUP # ________
DOCUMENT #________
MAIN IDEA:
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
SCAFFOLDING QUESTIONS:
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
DOCUMENT 1
“Would not the end of the war be the end of
humanity? War is life itself. Nothing exists in nature,
is born, grows or multiplies except by combat. We
must eat and be eaten so that the world may live. It
is only warlike nations which have prospered; a
nation dies as soon as it disarms. War is the school
of discipline, sacrifice and courage.”
Source: Emile Zola, French writer, 1891, in James Joll, The
Origins of the First World War, New York: Addison Wesley
Longman, 1992.
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT #__1_____
MAIN IDEA: War is what allows a nation
to grow & war is a GOOD idea.
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT #__1_____
SCAFFOLDING QUESTIONS:_
A.
Zola’s main point is that war is good &
makes a nation stronger.
B. Zola HAS been influenced by Darwin’s theory
of survival of the fittest because…he says
“nothing exists in nature w/o war.”
C. Yes – b/c it says without war a nation dies
DOCUMENT 2B
“How many times in the last two years have we
heard people repeat ‘Better war than this
perpetual waiting!’ In this wish there is no
bitterness, but a secret hope.”
Source: A French citizen, 1912, in James Joll, The Origins of the
First World War, New York: Addison Wesley Longman, 1992.
DOCUMENT 2C
“I spent the evening (of August 3, 1914) walking round
the streets, especially in the neighborhood of
Trafalgar Square, noticing cheering crowds, and
making myself sensitive to the emotions of
passersby. During this and the following days, I
discovered to my amazement that average men
and women were delighted at the prospect of war.”
Source: Bertrand Russell, British philosopher, in James Joll, The
Origins of the First World War, New York: Addison Wesley
Longman, 1992.
DOCUMENT 2D
“You will be home before the
leaves have fallen from the trees.”
Source: Kaiser Wilhelm II, to departing troops in the first week of
August, 1914, in Barbra W. Tuchman, The Guns of August, New
York: Ballantine Books, 1994.
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENTS #__2 B, C, & D____
MAIN IDEA: _in these quotes they all are
talking about how people were HAPPY
to go into the war._
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENTS #__2 B, C, & D____
SCAFFOLDING QUESTIONS:_
D. it is talking about them being happy
and excited to go into war and it would
be over quickly
E. These provide CONTEXT because they
are giving the atmosphere and
circumstances before the war
DOCUMENT 3
Source: Map created from various sources.
WWI ALLIANCES – Where is the U.S.?
Why aren’t we in this diagram?
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT #__3_____
MAIN IDEA: The purpose of the document
is to show which countries made up
EACH European alliance.
DBQ – WWI ALLIANCES
(Write this on PAGE
7 of your packet)
• TRIPLE ENTENTE - Alliance between Britain, France and
Russia was made because of worsening relations between:
1.) Germany and Russia & 2.) Germany and Britain
• TRIPLE ALLIANCE - Germany and Austria-Hungary make an
alliance with Italy to stop Italy taking sides with Russia.
DOCUMENT 4
Source: John T. McCutcheon, cartoonist, Chicago Tribune, August 5, 1914.
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT #__4_____
MAIN IDEA: Each person represents the
countries fighting in WWI. Depending
on the size of each person is how strong
each country is.
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT #__4____
SCAFFOLDING QUESTIONS:
G. Chicago Tribune August 5, 1914
H. John G. McCutcheon – cartoonist
I. They are blaming each other for starting the
war. (finger pointing)
J. All the European countries that went to war &
broke the “Peace of Europe.”
DOCUMENT 5
God save the Tsar!
God save the noble Tsar!
Long may he live, in
power,
In happiness,
In peace to reign!
Dread of his enemies,
Faith’s sure defender,
God save the Tsar!
(repeat previous 3 lines)
-Source: Russian National Anthem,
Composed by Prince A. V. Lvov,
Lyrics by Vasily Zhukovsky
Rule Britannia
When Britain first, at Heaven's
command, Arose from out the azure
main; This was the charter of the
land, And guardian angels sung this
strain: Rule, Britannia, rule the
waves; Britons never will be slaves.
The nations, not so blest as thee,
Must, in their turns, to tyrants fall:
While thou shalt flourish great and
free, The dread and envy of them all.
Rule, Britannia, rule the waves;
Britons never will be slaves.
-Source: Poem by James Thornton
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT #__5_____
MAIN IDEA: The main idea of these
documents is glorifying NATIONALISM –
pride in one’s country.
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT #__5__
SCAFFOLDING QUESTIONS:_
K. These songs MORE LIKELY to be
Nationalistic b/c they want to preserve the
greatness of their country & give respect to
their leaders.
L. These documents are all anthems that talk
about a country with great pride, like
America’s “Star Spangled Banner”
DOCUMENT 6
“The war between Serbia and Austria…is inevitable. If
Serbia wants to live in honor, she can only do this by
war. This war is determined by our obligation to our
traditions and the world of culture. This war derives
from the duty of our race which will not permit itself to
be assimilated. This war must bring about the eternal
freedom of Serbia, of the South Slavs, of the Balkan
peoples. Our whole race must stand together to halt
the onslaught of these aliens from the north.”
Source: Newspaper run by Colonel Draugutin Dimitrevic, head of the Serbian
military intelligence and founder of the secret society, “Union or Death”
(called “The Black Hand” by its opponents), 1912 in James Joll, The
Origins of the First World War, New York: Addison Wesley Longman, 1992.
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT #__6_____
MAIN IDEA: This underground newspaper
is saying that Serbia’s honor, freedom &
future can ONLY be preserved with
revolution & going to war.
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT #__6__
SCAFFOLDING QUESTIONS:_
M. The “Black Hand” was a secret Serbian
society. Their objective was to start a
revolution and they were responsible for
the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand.
N. The Black Hand was NOT connected with
the items in Document 5 b/c doc 5 was
about Russia & Britain.
DOCUMENT 7 – What are “armaments?”
***Note: By 1914 the Entente Powers could field 2.23 million men,
Germany & Austria-Hungary 1.3 million.***
Source: From James Joll, The Origins of the First World War, New York: Addison Wesley
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT #__7____
MAIN IDEA: This graph is to illustrate the
“ARMS RACE” between the Triple
Alliance & Triple Entente powers
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT #__7____
SCAFFOLDING QUESTIONS:_
O. ARMAMENTS are weapons & equipment to be
used in battle such as guns & ammo, tanks &
ships.
P. Germany is the nation that increased its
military spending at the fastest OVERALL rate.
Q. Great Britain spent the most on its NAVY in
1910.
R. Britain did this b/c they wanted to protect
their colonial interests overseas & maintain
control of trade routes.
The WWI Plane of the
“Red Baron”
DOCUMENT 8
Quote from Prince Bernhard von Bulow, German Chancellor, speech
to Reichstag, December 11, 1899.
“…we realize that without power, without a strong army and
strong navy, there can be no welfare for us. The means of
fighting the battle for existence in this world without strong
armaments on land and water, for a nation soon to count sixty
millions, living in the centre of Europe and at the same time
stretching out its economic feelers in all directions, have not yet
been found. In the coming century the German nation will be
either the hammer or the anvil.”
Source: From James Joll,
The Origins of the First World War,
New York: Addison Wesley Longman, 1992.
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT #__8____
MAIN IDEA: The main idea is that
Germany would rather strike first and
with great strength (the hammer)
rather than be weak and beat upon (the
anvil) AND that Germany must fight for
its place as an economic superpower in
competition with Britain.
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT #__8____
SCAFFOLDING
QUESTIONS:_
S.) Prince Von Bulow
would rather be the
hammer than the anvil,
striking and attacking –
not the country being
struck.
Source: Reynold’s Newspaper, London, March 9, 1913.
DOCUMENT 9 - Who is the “fool” in the political cartoon?
<“Germany has
suddenly
announced her
determination to
increase her
already
monstrous
armaments by a
special and
additional
expenditure of
fifty million
pounds.”
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT # 9__
MAIN IDEA: Germany is being foolish
spending more & more $$ on
armaments (weapons) & it will lead
them to a war they will likely lose.
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT # 9 SCAFFOLDING QUESTIONS:
T. The fool is Kaiser Wilhelm who represents GERMANY.
His folly is the build-up of armaments.
U. Based on the information from Doc #7, the cartoonist
WAS justified in saying that Germany was foolish to
spend so much on weapons.
V. YES! Based on Docs 7, 8 & 9, MILITARISM was an underlying
cause of WWI.
W. Absolutely! German militarism should be included as an
underlying cause for them to enter WWI.
DOCUMENT 10
FREIHEIT DER MEERE = “Freedom of the Seas”
ENGLAND DER BLUTSAUGER DER WELT = “England is the bloodsucker
of the world.” Does this mean England was a vampire??
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT # 10___
MAIN IDEA: The main idea is that England
is a “bloodsucker” whose influence &
control is spread all over the world,
strangling other countries and especially
Germany.
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT # 10 SCAFFOLDING
QUESTIONS:
X. Germany is the source of the cartoon
AND England is the target.
Y. CROSS “Y” OUT – IT’S A REPEAT OF
MAIN IDEA. 
DOCUMENT 11 – Colonial Possessions, Spring,
1914 (W. Hemisphere)
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT # 11___
MAIN IDEA: To show the worldwide
colonial possessions of European
countries that would become involved in
WWI & WHY they would feel the need to
protect their possessions.
INTERPRETING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT # 11___
SCAFFOLDING QUESTIONS:_
Z.) COLONY means a group of people who leave their native
country to form a new land settlement subject to rule by
the parent nation. COLONIAL means a gathering of
colonies.
AA. Britain controlled the largest AREA /BB. Britain
controlled the largest POPULATION
CC. (Back to the “octopus” drawing…) Yes, we CAN
understand Germany’s concerns - since the largest land
area & pop. was controlled by Britain, their influence was
easily spread to become the world’s dominant
superpower.