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World War I: Causes and Events
Part I:
Read the following quotations:
“Remember, the German people are the chosen of God. On me, the German Emperor, the spirit of God has
descended. I am His sword, His weapon, and His vice-regent…Germany must have her place in the sun.”—
Kaiser Wilhem II
“The German nation is the only one…inherently strong enough to claim for its national idea the right to
participate in the shaping of the world which is to be.”—Paul Rohrbach (journalist)
1. Which of the four MAIN causes of World War I do these quotations represent? _________________
2. Paraphrase each quotation.
3. Predict two potential effects of this cause.
Part II:
Read the following excerpts from the “Blank Check” Telegram:
Telegram from the Imperial Chancellor, von Bethmann-Hollweg, to the German Ambassador at Vienna,
Tschirschky, July 6, 1914
Berlin, July 6, 1914
Confidential. For Your Excellency’s
Personal information and guidance
The Austro-Hungarian Ambassador yesterday delivered to the Emperor a confidential personal letter from the
Emperor Francis Joseph, which depicts the present situation from the Austro-Hungarian point of view, and
describes the measures which Vienna has in view. A copy is now being forwarded to Your Excellency.
…In the meantime His Majesty desires to say that he is not blind to the danger which threatens Austria Hungary
and thus the Triple Alliance as a result of the Russian and Serbian Pan-Slavic agitation….His Majesty will,
therefore, direct his minister at Sofia to lend the Austro-Hungarian representative such support as he may desire in
any action taken to this end. His Majesty will, furthermore, make an effort at Bucharest, according to the wishes of
the Emperor Francis Joseph, to influence King Carol to the fulfillment of the duties of is alliance, to the
renunciation of Serbia, and to the suppression of the Rumanian agitations directed against Austria-Hungary….
The Emperor Francis Joseph may, however, rest assured that His Majesty will faithfully stand by Austria-Hungary,
as is required by the obligations of his alliance and of his ancient friendship.
1. Which of the MAIN causes does this excerpt represent? _____________________________
2. Why is this called the “Blank Check” Telegram?
3. Predict two potential effects of this cause.
Part III:
Read the following excerpt of a chant, published in 1914.
The German “Hasslied”
An oath for our sons and their sons to take.
Come, hear the word, repeat the word,
Throughout the Fatherland make it heard.
We will never forego our hate,
We have all but a single hate,
We love as one, we hate as one,
We have one foe, and one alone—
ENGLAND!
1. Which of the MAIN causes does this chant represent? _____________________________
2. Explain how this cause leads to war.
3. What precedes this cause that, when coupled with this cause, is potentially dangerous?
_________________________________________________________________________________
4. Predict two potential effects of this cause.
Part IV:
Read the poem by Siegfried Sassoon.
“Attack”
At dawn the ridge emerges massed and dun
In the wild purple of the glow’ring sun,
Smouldering through spouts of drifting smoke that shroud
The menacing scarred slope; and, one by one,
Tanks creep and topple forward to the wire.
The barrage roars and lifts. Then clumsily bowed
With bombs and guns and shovels and battle-gear,
Men jostle and climb to meet the bristling fire.
Lines of grey, muttering faces, masked with fear,
They leave their trenches, going over the top,
While time ticks blank and busy on their wrists,
And hope, with furtive eyes and grappling fists,
Flounders in mud. O Jesus, make it stop!
1. What kind of warfare, specifically, is the author describing?
2.
Define the following words: shroud, barrage, furtive.
3. What is the author’s message about warfare?
4. Create an illustration that exemplifies these words.
Part V:
1. On the attached map, use color to distinguish between the Allied Powers and the Central Powers. Label each
nation and create a key to show your choices.
2. How does geography give an advantage or disadvantage to the Central Powers? Allied Powers?