World War I Chapter Notes | Social Studies for Grade 7 PDF Download

Introduction

World War I, also called the Great War, was a major global conflict that took place from 1914 to 1918. It involved many countries and changed the world in many ways. This war was caused by a mix of events and tensions between nations, and it was fought with new kinds of weapons and strategies. Millions of people were affected, and the war shaped history by leading to big changes in politics, society, and borders. In this chapter, we will learn how the war started and why it was such an important event.

The Road to War

• Causes of World War I:
  • Alliances: Countries formed groups to protect each other.
    • Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy joined together.
    • Triple Entente: France, Russia, and Great Britain agreed to support each other.
    • Alliances meant that if one country was attacked, others would join the fight.
  • Imperialism: Countries competed to control land and resources.
    • European nations took over parts of Africa and Asia.
    • This caused tension as countries wanted more power and wealth.
  • Militarism: Countries built large armies and navies.
    • Nations spent a lot of money on weapons and soldiers.
    • Germany and Britain competed to have the strongest navy.
    • Big armies made countries feel ready for war.
  • Nationalism: People felt strong pride in their countries.
    • Many believed their nation was better than others.
    • This led to conflicts, especially in areas with mixed ethnic groups.
• Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand:
  • Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the Austria-Hungary throne.
  • He was killed on June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo by a Serbian nationalist.
  • This event started a chain reaction that led to war.
• Chain of Events:
  • Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia after the assassination.
  • Russia supported Serbia and prepared its army.
  • Germany supported Austria-Hungary and declared war on Russia.
  • France supported Russia, so Germany declared war on France.
  • Germany invaded Belgium to reach France, causing Britain to join the war.
• Central Powers and Allied Powers:
  • Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.
  • Allied Powers: France, Britain, Russia, Serbia, and later the United States.
  • These groups fought against each other in the war.

The Great War

• Major Battles and Warfare:
  • Trench Warfare: Soldiers fought from long ditches called trenches.
    • Trenches were muddy, cold, and dangerous.
    • Soldiers lived in trenches for weeks or months.
    • Trenches stretched across Europe, especially in France.
  • Battle of the Marne (1914): Stopped Germany’s advance into France.
    • Allies pushed German forces back.
    • This battle showed the war would not be quick.
  • Battle of Verdun (1916): One of the longest and deadliest battles.
    • Germany tried to weaken France’s army.
    • Many soldiers died on both sides.
  • Battle of the Somme (1916): A major Allied attack.
    • Huge losses of life, with little land gained.
    • Tanks were used for the first time.
• New Weapons and Technology:
  • Machine guns: Fired many bullets quickly, making battles deadlier.
  • Tanks: Armored vehicles that could move over rough ground.
  • Airplanes: Used for spying and dropping bombs.
  • Submarines: Attacked ships under water, especially by Germany.
  • Poison gas: Caused choking or burns, used by both sides.
• United States’ Involvement:
  • The U.S. stayed out of the war at first (neutral).
  • Germany’s submarine attacks on ships, like the Lusitania, angered the U.S.
  • The Zimmermann Telegram: Germany asked Mexico to fight the U.S.
  • The U.S. joined the Allies in 1917, sending soldiers and supplies.
• Home Front:
  • Women worked in factories to make weapons and supplies.
  • People rationed food and materials to support the war.
  • Governments used posters to encourage support for the war.
• End of the War:
  • By 1918, Central Powers were losing strength.
  • Germany surrendered on November 11, 1918.
  • The Treaty of Versailles(1919) ended the war.
    • Germany had to pay a lot of money and give up land.
    • The treaty created the League of Nations to keep peace.
• Impact of World War I:
  • Millions of soldiers and civilians died.
  • Many countries’ borders changed, and new nations were created.
  • The war caused economic problems in many countries.
  • The Treaty of Versailles caused bitterness, leading to future conflicts.