The Two World Wars and the Peace Settlements
Topics
The First World War, 1914-1918
Topic for enquiry (1)
How did a local war between Austria-Hungary and Serbia contribute to a great war in 1914?
8 lessons (40 minutes x 8 = 320 minutes)
The Paris Peace Conference, 1919
Topic for enquiry (2)
In what ways did the Paris Peace Conference lead to the outbreak of the Second World War?
10 lessons (40 minutes x 10 = 400 minutes)
The Second World War, 1939-45
Topic for enquiry (3)
“The Second World War was primarily caused by the resentments towards the First World War.”
12 lessons (40 minutes x 12 = 480 minutes)
Post-World War II Settlements and their impact
Topic for enquiry (4)
How did the wartime conferences contribute to postwar international order?
2 lessons (40 minutes x 2 = 80 minutes)
Topic for enquiry(5)
Which war, the First World War or the Second World War, was more destructive in the world?
6 lessons (40 minutes x 6 = 240 minutes)
Topic for enquiry (6)
Which treaty, the Treaty of Versailles or the Potsdam Agreement, was harsher to Germany?Why?
2 lessons (40 minutes x 2 = 80 minutes)
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The First World War, 1914-1918
The First World War, 1914-1918
Topic for enquiry (1)
How did a local war between Austria-Hungary and Serbia contribute to a great war in 1914?
Total teaching periods (Total teaching time)
8 lessons (40 minutes x 8 = 320 minutes)
Teaching background
(a) There are 40 students in a class and the topic will be taught at S5.
(b) Students should have developed certain analytical power at lower forms and S4.
(c) Academically students are above average.They are attentive and hardworking.
Teaching instructions
(a)2 lessons(40 minutes per lesson) will be spent on a brief introduction of the relationships among the European powers at the beginning of the 20th century. (Notes I)
(b)Then students should be able to provide some background knowledge about the European powers, namely Britain, France, Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy.
(c)2 lessons will be spent on international conflicts, namely the Moroccan Crises of 1905 and 1911, the Bosnian Crisis of 1908 and the Balkan Warsof 1912-13. The teacher should also point out the attempts made by the powers to keep peace, for instance, the Algeciras Conference in 1906 and the Second Hague Conference of 1907, an how the European powers gave way, though discontented, in the midst of the crises.(Notes II)
(d)4 lessons will be spent on how the assassination at Sarajevo turned a local war into a general war.A PowerPoint will be shown and questions will be raised in between the PowerPoint slides in order to engage students in empathetic understanding of the topic. (Notes III). Written Assignment I will be given to students in order to see how much they are able to grasp the ideas of the topic.
Expected outcomes / difficulties
(a)Students can have a vivid picture of the relationship among major European powers.
(b)They can grasp the main ideas of what happened on the eve of the First World War.A chain of friendship among the powers finally triggered off the First World War.
(c)A close supervision over students’ written assignment and data-based questions should be done in order to see whether the students are on task.
(d)Students may find it difficult to grasp the underlying causes of the First World War, which they have learnt at S3.
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The First World War, 1914-1918
Notes I
Developments in major European countries in the early 20th century
Britain
Britain had long maintained her naval supremacy.She paid much attention to her trade.
Britain adopted an isolation policy since she did not want to bother with what happened in other countries.Once her interests were infringed, she would give up the policy.She broke her isolation policy and signed the Anglo-Japanese Alliance in 1902.She also had closer relations with France when she signed the Entente Cordiale in 1904.
France
France wanted to take revenge on Germany because of her defeat in the Franco-Prussian War in 1871.She was isolated before the 1880s.However, after the lapse of the Reinsurance Treaty, she was able to establish friendly relations with Russia by signing the Franco-Russian Alliance in 1894.She also wanted to establish a large colonial empire in North Africa.
Germany
Germany pursued an aggressive foreign policy under Kaiser William II.(Use DBQ 1) She always wanted to find “a place in the sun”.This made her into conflicts with other European countries.For instance, her colonial expansion over Morocco and her military build-up created conflicts with France and Britain respectively.
Germany wanted to unite all the Germans and she adopted Pan-Germanism.This made her ally with Austria-Hungary, which was of the same race.
Russia
Russia always looked for warm water ports and wanted to extend her influence into the Balkans.This led her into conflicts with Austria-Hungary.As a protector of the Slav race, Russia always supported Serbia.She was a supporter of Pan-Slavism.
Austria-Hungary
Because of her defeat in the Austro-Prussian War, Austria-Hungary wanted to extend her influence into the Balkans so as to regain her lost prestige.This brought her into conflicts with Russia and Serbia.She also adopted Pan-Germanism and established close link with Germany.She was also an ally of Germany.She signed the Dual Alliance with Germany in 1879 and the Triple Alliance with Germany and Italy in 1882.
Italy
Among the six major European powers, Italy was the weakest one.Italy wanted to acquire more colonies.After her loss of Tunisia to France, she joined the Dual Alliance immediately and signed the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary in 1882.However, her colonial conflicts with France were settled in 1902.
DBQ 1
Study the Source and answer the question.
The following was an Italian cartoon of Kaiser William II.
Source:
(a) What was the view of the cartoonist towards Kaiser William II?Explain your answer with reference to the Source. (2 marks)
(b) Is it an accurate depiction of Kaiser William II’s policies between 1900 and 1914?Explain your answer with reference to your own historical knowledge. (6 marks)
Notes II
International crises on the eve of the First World War
In the early 20th century, rivalries amongmajor European powers led to a series of crises in Africa and the Balkans.These pre-war crises brought the two rival armed camps to open confrontation and further speeded up the armament race.A war was generally expected by the European powers.
1.The First Moroccan Crisis, 1905
Background
Morocco is located in Northwest Africaand was rich in mineral resources and trading opportunities.She was an independent country ruled by the sultan.Both France and Germany wanted to get the place because of its economic and strategic values.
The crisis
Kaiser William II was alarmed by the Entente Cordiale in 1904 by which France was given a free hand in Morocco.To check French ambition, he visited Tangier, a Moroccan chief port in 1905 in a gunboat and declared his support to the Moroccan independence against French control.This created international tension.
Francewanted to addMoroccointo her North African Empire but Germany insisted on the independence of the state.The Kaiser then proposed an international conference to settle the status of Morocco.Finally, an international conference of 12 states met at Algeciras in Spain to settle the problem.
The Algeciras Conference was held in 1906 to solve the problem.After the Conference, it was agreed that Morocco should remain independent, but became a French sphere of influence.A Franco-Spanish force was to keep order in Morocco.In other words, France was allowed to keep order in Morocco.
Significance
The Moroccan Crisis proved to be a humiliation toGermany.This was because Britain, Russia, Spain and Italy supported France whereas only Austria-Hungary supported Germany. It tightened the relations between France and Germany.Britain’s support for France in the crisis strengthened the Entente Cordiale, which was later changed from a diplomatic agreement into a military one.The crisis also strengthened the ties betweenBritain and Russia as they both supported France against Germany and were threatened by the growing power of Germany.This paved the way for the formation of Anglo-Russian Entente in 1907 and later the Triple Entente in 1907.
On the other hand, Germany felt humiliated and isolated.She now regarded Austria-Hungary as her only reliable ally.This in turn bound her to support Austrian expansion in the Balkans.
2.The Second Moroccan Crisis, 1911
Background
In 1911, there was an internal disorder against the sultan in Morocco.The sultan then asked France for help.Thus, France sent troops to occupy Fez, the Moroccan capital, to restore order.
Germany regarded the French action as a violation of the decisions of the Algeciras Conference. As a sign of protest against the French action, Germany sent the gunboat “Panther” to Agadir, a Moroccan port.This led to the Second Moroccan Crisis.
Results
War seemed likely between France and Germany.France sought the support of Britain.The German show of naval force alarmed Britain because the latter feared that Agadir would become a German naval base.She supported France by preparing her fleet for action.
As Germany was not prepared to fight, she withdrew and agreed to make compromise.By the Moroccan Convention, Germany recognized French rights over Morocco, which became a French protectorate.In return, France ceded a part of the French Congo to Germany.
Significance
The Second Moroccan Crisis further worsened the relations between France and Germany.Suffering another diplomatic defeat, Germanyfurther expanded her army and navy.On the other hand, Britain and France were driven closer together since they were alarmed by Germany’s aggressive action.They agreed to a joint naval defence.
In addition to the intensification of relations between France and Germany, the crisis strengthened the Triple Entente.Moreover, the “gunboat policy” speeded up the armament race in Europe.This paved the way for further conflicts.
The unstable situation in the Balkans sparked off the First World War.The expansionist attitude of Austria-Hungary, Germany and Russia in contrast to the nationalist goals of the Balkan states created chaos in the Balkans in the early 20th century.
3.Bosnian Crisis, 1908
Background
Austria-Hungarywas allowed to administer Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Congress of Berlin, 1878.Serbia wanted to annex Bosnia-Herzegovina because shewas geographically landlocked in the Balkans.Also, she wanted to unite all the Slavs.This led to Austro-Serbian rivalries in the Balkans.
In 1908, a group of patriotic Turkish reformers who were known as Young Turks revolted against the Turkish Sultan successfully and set up a new government.The revolt made Austria-Hungary fear that the Young Turks might regain control over Bosnia and Herzegovina.Austria-Hungary thus formally annexed the two provinces in 1908.This led to the Bosnian Crisis in 1908.
Results
However, the annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina was opposed by Turkey, Russia and Serbia.Austrian annexation antagonizedSerbia because she wanted to bring Bosnia and Herzegovina under her control and form a large Slav country.Serbia then asked Russia for help.
At the same time, Germany warned Russiaif there were an Austro-Serbian war, Germany would give full support to Austria-Hungary.In this stage, Russiahad not fully recovered from her defeat in the Russo-Japanese War and the 1905 Revolution.Moreover, she was not sure of British and French support in case of a war.Facing diplomatic isolation, both Serbia and Russia had to agree to Austrian annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Significance
The crisis elevated anti-Austrian feeling in Serbia.Thus, Serbia supported anti-Austrian secret societies against Austria-Hungary, for example, the Black Hand.The relations between Austria-Hungary and Serbiawere worse.The activities of the secret societies finally led to the Sarajevo Incident in 1914.Besides, the Austro-German diplomatic victory encouraged their aggression.
4.The First Balkan War, 1912
Background
Taking the advantage of the decline of Turkey,Italy defeated Turkey and got Tripoli in 1912.The Turkish defeat encouraged the Balkan states to gain Balkan territories and this led to the Balkan Wars.
The Turkish misrule in Macedonia provided the excuse for the Balkan states to declare war on Turkey.In 1912, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Montenegro formed the Balkan League and attacked Turkey.Turkey was defeated.
The powers held the London Conference to decide the distribution of the Turkish lands.By the Treaty of London of 1913, Turkey lost all her European territory except Constantinople.
SerbiawantedAlbania in order to get an access to the Adriatic Sea but it was opposed by Italy and Austria-Hungary.With the support of Germany, an independent Albaniawas formed and Macedoniawas divided between Serbia and Greece.Nevertheless, the independence of Albania upset Serbia and since she wanted to acquire Albania.
Friction over the Treaty of London
However, the victors among the Balkan League soon quarreled among themselves over the division of land.Bulgaria was dissatisfied with the territorial settlement because she could not get Macedonia.
Serbia was also dissatisfied with the formation of an independent Albania.Austria-Hungary firmly opposed Serbia’sambition over Albania since it would greatly increase the latter’s power.She was firmly determined to prevent Serbia from gaining access to the sea and obtained support fromGermany in making Albania an independent nation.This further increased Austro-Serbian conflict.
5.The Second Balkan War, 1913
The Second Balkan War broke out because of the dissatisfaction generated from the friction among the victors over the shares of the land.Bulgariawas dissatisfied because she could not get Macedonia.This made her declare war on her former allies.
In the Second Balkan War, Turkey and Rumania joined the war against Bulgaria in the hope of gaining territories.Bulgaria was defeatedquickly.The Treaty of Bucharest of 1913 ended the war.By the Treaty, Bulgaria had to cede south Dobruja to Rumania; Macedonia was divided among Greece, Montenegro and Serbia; Albania became autonomous; and Turkey regained Adrianople.
Notes III
How the assassination at Sarajevo turned a local war into a great war?
A PowerPoint will be shown to students in order to bring them into the activity.While showing the PowerPoint, teacher can ask the questions posted in the slides to ensure students’ participation and empathic understanding of the scenario on the eve of the First World War.This further enhances their understanding of how a local war turned into a general war.
Then a video clip can be shown to students to visualize the outbreak of the First World War --- World War One: 1914-1918 Map.This video clip lasts for 8 minutes and 1 second.
Students are also encouraged to visit the websites mentioned in the PowerPoint and further investigate the issue.
Written assignmentI
Study the Source and explain how a local war turned into a general war in 1914.
Source: The cartoon ‘A chain of friendship’, published in the Brooklyn Eagle, July 1914. (Adapted from Rayner, Ed and Stapley, Ron (1988).GCSE World History, Great Britain: Longman Group UK Limited, p.25.)
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The Paris Peace Conference,1919
The Paris Peace Conference, 1919
Topic for enquiry (2)
In what ways did the Paris Peace Conference lead to the outbreak of the Second World War?
Total teaching periods (Total teaching time)
10 lessons (40 minutes x 10 = 400 minutes)
Teaching background
(a)Students have learnt the outbreak of the First World War and a continuation of cause-and-effect relationship will be followed. A postwar conference was held after the end of the First World War.
(b)Students are active in nature and take much initiative in their work. A role play, an oral presentation and a debate are desirable methods to bring a vivid picture to all students.
Teaching instructions
(a)4 lessons will be spent on the role play and oral presentation.Students are asked to prepare the play by themselves and then an oral presentation will be followed.
(b)3 lessons will be spent on the debate.
(c)3 lessons will be spent on analyzing the sources and providing feedback to students’ work
Activity (1) Role play
Main characters in the Paris Peace Conference
(1)Woodrow Wilson (President of the USA)
(2)David Lloyd George (Prime Minister of Britain)
(3)Georges Clemenceau (Premier of France)
(4)Vittorio Emanuele Orlando (Prime Minister of Italy)
(5)Some delegates of victorious countries (in the conference room)
(6) Some delegates of defeated countries, namely Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey and Bulgaria (outside the conference room)
Teaching procedures
(1)Students should be asked to surf the websites.
(2)Before the lessons are conducted, students (the actors) have been given the above information to prepare their role play.It is better to ask some students to be volunteers.They should read the pre-assigned materials and do their role plays during the lessons.Some background information should be provided.About 10 students are assigned the work.
(3)The rest of the students should watch the scenes and write down the common aims of the representatives and individual aims of the main representatives in the Conference.Students can work individually at first and then group all their written work together.Then an oral presentation should be made by the groups.The role play will be conducted for about 20 minutes, and the discussion and oral presentation will be for 30 minutes.A roundup session by the teacher will be for 20 minutes.