GCSE -The Origins and Course of the First World War

Name: GCSE -The Origins and Course of the First World War
Rating: 4.0 (7 reviews)

For teachers and students of AQA and Edexcel IGCSE History

Created byMark Foley

Last updated 4/2024

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Understand the causes of World War I
Understand the major battles and type of warfare
Understand why Germany lost the war
Understand how to structure answers to exam questions

Course content

4 sections • 19 lectures • 1h 59m total length

The Alliance system4:11
Explore the 1905 European alliance system, its role in European tension, and how the Triple Alliance and Triple Entente redefined the balance of power.
Empires and Economics7:17
Explore the empires and economics of Britain, France, Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. Examine coal and steel production, colonies, and the Balkans’ role in imperial rivalry driving war.
Military rivalry7:10
Trace military rivalry shaping the first world war through Britain and Germany naval arms race, the two power standard, dreadnoughts, and the Schlieffen Plan and Plan 17.

The Moroccan Crises4:51
The Moroccan crises of 1905 and 1911 saw the Kaiser push for equal economic rights. Britain backed France under the Entente cordiale, and Germany gained Congo territory.
Crisis in the Balkans6:52
Explore how the Balkans, bordered by Austria-Hungary, Russia, and the Ottomans, ignite nationalist tensions. From the 1908 Bosnia annexation to the Balkan Wars of 1912–13, Serbian ambitions heighten imperial rivalries.
Murder at Sarajevo4:53
Detail the assassination of archduke franz ferdinand in sarajevo amid balkans nationalism and alliance tensions, and show how it triggers the outbreak of war by August 1914.
July Crisis5:14
The July Crisis traces the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and how Germany's blank cheque drives Austria-Hungary against Serbia, pulling in Britain into a world war.

The Schlieffen Plan Fails3:14
Explore why the Schlieffen Plan failed, including Belgium's resistance, the Marne setback, rapid French mobilization, Russian entry, and the shift to trench warfare.
Life in the trenches13:10
Explore life in the western front trenches, from no man's land and barbed wire to front line and dugouts, amid bombardments and high casualties.
New weaons and methods13:02
Explore the weapons and fighting methods of the First World War. Learn about artillery bombardments, creeping barrages, machine guns, aircraft, rifles, poison gas, and tanks.
Battle of the Somme9:32
Examine the Somme, Britain's bloodiest battle, with German trenches, barbed wire, and no man's land. Analyze the 1 July 1916 assault, aided by artillery and Welsh miners, to relieve Verdun.
Battle of Passchendaele4:06
Explore the battle of Passchendaele (third battle of Ypres) in 1917, where two weeks of artillery and persistent rain created mud that shaped massive casualties.
General Haig: a summary4:05
Assess General Haig as hero or incompetent by weighing his willingness to experiment with tanks and creeping barrage against the high casualties at the Somme and other battles.
The German threat from the North Sea5:45
Explore the North Sea threat to Britain in World War One, tracing the Anglo-German naval arms race, Tirpitz, and the battles of Heligoland Bight and Jutland, plus the British blockade.
The Gallipoli Campaign5:13
The Gallipoli campaign explores a Britain-led ANZAC assault on the Dardanelles to knock Turkey out of the war, detailing Churchill's plan, the terrain, and the evacuation under General Monro.

The Americans Join the War6:05
Drive the United States into the war, spurred by unrestricted submarine warfare, the Zimmermann telegram, and strong economic ties. Boost morale with over 2 million troops in key battles.
The Ludendorff Offensive5:58
The Ludendorff Offensive, also known as the Spring Offensive, launched four pronged attacks to outflank the Somme and threaten Paris, but Allied elastic defense and tanks halted the drive.
The Hundred Days Offensive3:54
The Hundred Days Offensive pushed Germans back along the Western Front, breaking the Hindenburg Line. American troops, tanks, and aerial photography, including 1.2 million in Meuse-Argonne offensive, sealed the advance.
Why were Germany Defeated?5:00
Examine the key determinants of Germany's defeat in World War I, including the British naval blockade, American entry, and the 100 Day Offensive leading to armistice.

Requirements

Tailored for GCSE History curriculum

Description

Dive into the intricate history of the First World War with our comprehensive course, specifically designed for high school students preparing for the AQA and Edexcel IGCSE exam boards. This course offers a thorough exploration of the war's origins, key battles, and significant changes, highlighting its lasting influence on the 20th century and beyond. Whether you're studying for the AQA GCSE or Edexcel IGCSE, our curriculum provides the detailed insights and historical context needed to excel in your examinations.

The course begins by examining the intricate web of alliances, military build-ups, and imperial ambitions that set the stage for war in 1914. Students will delve into the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, exploring how this event triggered a chain reaction that plunged the world into conflict. Through interactive lectures, primary source documents, and engaging multimedia content, learners will navigate the major fronts of the war, from the grueling trench warfare on the Western Front to the dynamic battles on the Eastern Front and beyond.

Key topics include the role of technology and warfare innovations, the global nature of the conflict, the home front and civilian impact, and the significant battles that shaped the course of the war. The course also covers the social, political, and economic ramifications of the war, including the Treaty of Versailles and the reshaping of national borders and political systems.

Assessments through quizzes, reflective essays, and a comprehensive final project will encourage students to analyze the causes and consequences of the war critically. This course aims to equip students with a thorough understanding of the First World War, fostering a deeper appreciation for its historical significance and the lessons it imparts for understanding contemporary global issues.

Who this course is for:

Edexcel IGCSE History Teachers and Students
AQA GCSE History Teachers and Students

GCSE -The Origins and Course of the First World War

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

The Alliance System and International Rivalry, 1905-143 lectures • 19min

The Growth of Tension in Europe, 1905-144 lectures • 22min

The Schlieffen Plan and Deadlock on the western Front8 lectures • 58min

The Defeat of Germany4 lectures • 21min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: