Introduction to
World War I
Objective
• By the end of the lesson, SWBAT
explain how nationalism and
militarism created an environment
that promoted war in Europe
during the early 1900s.
Lightning Round Review!
• 1. What happened during Sherman’s
March to the Sea?
• 2. How did the Spanish-American
War make America more powerful?
Vocabulary
• Nationalism - a feeling of pride and great
likeness for your country.
• Militarism - when a country builds up their
army to protect their land, resources, and
interests.
• Alliance - an agreement between two or
more parties to get along and be on the
same side.
• Trench Warfare - When enemies are
fighting each other in permanent places.
Nationalism
• In the early 1900s, European
countries started to have a lot of
nationalism.
• The pride in their countries made
them feel as though their country
was better than other countries in
Europe.
Examples of
Nationalism
Nationalism
• How do you think nationalism
changes the way you think
about other countries?
• What kind of things do you
think a country that has a lot
of nationalism might say to
another country?
Nationalism
• Nationalism can sometimes
make you think you are stronger
than you actually are.
• People feed off each other and
start to believe the hype.
What do you think this cartoon
is suggesting?
Nationalism?
• What are some different ways people
show nationalism (love) for their country?
• Where do you see nationalism in society?
• Think about where you might have
nationalism in your lives...
A Country’s Flag
A Country’s Sport’s Teams
A glorified painting or photograph of the countryside or
country’s leader (this is a picture of Kim Jung - Il, dictator
of North Korea. The painting is trying to make him look
strong in the lovely North Korean countryside)
Propaganda Posters
Nationalism in Society
• Songs are also used to create nationalism (love)
for one’s country.
• America the Beautiful:
• O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
Nationalism
• Break it down:
• National - a group of people or a
country
• Ism - the act of doing something
• Nationalism - the act of having
pride for your people or country.
Militarism
• People in countries that have a
lot of nationalism many times
want to make their countries
stronger.
• What are some ways you can
make a country stronger?
Militarism
• A country can make
themselves stronger by making
their military (army) larger and
stronger.
• Many countries in Europe built
up their armies in the early
1900s because of strong
nationalistic feelings
Militarism
Militarism
•How does a strong
military help a country?
Militarism
• A strong military helps
countries:
• protect their natural
resources.
• protect their citizens.
• expand the amount of land
they have.
Militarism - in the Early
1900s
Militarism
• Break it down:
• Military - means army
• Ism - the act of doing something
• Militarism - the act of building up an
army.
World War I
• What happens when a bunch of
countries have a lot of
nationalism and strong
militaries in a relatively small
area?
• Think about bullies on the
playground.
Europe Before World War
I
World War I
• Countries could fight!
• Countries with a lot of nationalism
many times think they are better than
other countries.
• Not only do they think they are better,
but they have weapons so they are not
afraid to fight to help their country or
show the world just how strong they
are!
Alliances
• Countries wanted to make sure
they had friends to fight with, so,
European countries entered into
alliances in the early 1900s.
• Alliances are when a country tells
another country they will be on the
same side if a war breaks out.
Europe in 1900
Ready to Fight?
• So...
• European countries in the early
1900s had a lot of nationalism, had
strong armies, and were in
alliances in case a war broke out.
• What do you think is going to
happen?
Conclusion
• Nationalism in Europe in the early 1900s led
countries to militarize (build up their armies).
• Many European countries got into alliances so
that in case a war broke out, they had friends
on their side to fight with in the war.
• By 1910, many countries were on edge and
expecting war at any time!