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BA Conflict and tension: the First World War, 1894-1918
Study the Great Powers, causes of conflict, stalemate and the ending of the First World War.
9
Objectives
45
Flashcards
45
Questions
90 min
Study time
AQAGCSEHistoryPaper 1 Section B: Wider world depth studies
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Syllabus checklist
What you need to know
9 objective pages available
Part one: The causes of the First World War3 objectives
- Study the Alliance System, including the Triple Alliance, Franco-Russian Alliance, Entente relations, Moroccan crises and Balkan crises and their effects on international relations.
- Study Anglo-German rivalry, including Britain's challenge to Splendid Isolation, Kaiser Wilhelm's foreign policy aims, Weltpolitik, colonial tensions, European rearmament and the Anglo-German naval race.
- Study the outbreak of war, including Slav nationalism, Serbia and Austria-Hungary, Sarajevo assassination, July Crisis, Schlieffen Plan, Belgium and reasons for the escalation of conflict.
Part two: The First World War: stalemate3 objectives
- Study the Schlieffen Plan, including reasons for the plan, its failure, the Battle of the Marne and its contribution to stalemate.
- Study the Western Front, including military tactics, technology, trench warfare, attrition, Verdun, the Somme and Passchendaele, and the reasons, events and significance of these battles.
- Study the wider war, including other fronts, Gallipoli and its failure, and the events and significance of the war at sea including Jutland, U-Boats and convoys.
Part three: Ending the war3 objectives
- Study changes in the Allied forces, including consequences of the Bolshevik Revolution and Russia's withdrawal for German strategy and the reasons for and impact of USA entry.
- Study military developments in 1918 and their contribution to Germany's defeat, including tactical and technological evolution, Ludendorff's Spring Offensive and the Allied advance during the Hundred Days.
- Study Germany's surrender, including the blockade, Kaiser's abdication, armistice and the contributions of Haig and Foch to Germany's defeat.
Key terms
Triple AllianceEntenteWeltpolitiknaval raceSarajevoSchlieffen PlanMarneVerduntrench warfareGallipoliJutlandBolshevik Revolution
Exam tips
- Exam focus: Triple Alliance: Support each point about Triple Alliance with precise historical evidence.
- Exam focus: Weltpolitik: Support each point about Weltpolitik with precise historical evidence.
Common mistakes
- Avoid confusing Triple Alliance: Anchor the answer to Part one: The causes of the First World War, use precise evidence, and state whether Triple Alliance is a cause, consequence, change, continuity or significant development.
- Avoid confusing Weltpolitik: Anchor the answer to Part one: The causes of the First World War, use precise evidence, and state whether Weltpolitik is a cause, consequence, change, continuity or significant development.
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