Why did World War One start? | History for Year 6 PDF Download

When did World War One begin?

On August 4, 1914, Britain declared war on Germany, marking the start of what was called The Great War, impacting people globally.

World map showing countries and empires before World War One began.

Who was the war between?

The conflict involved:

Each side mobilized their armies (land forces) and navies (sea forces) for battle.

Why were empires important?

Great Britain, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia controlled numerous colonies worldwide and aimed to maintain their empires' strength. They viewed other nations' territorial expansions as threats. When Germany and Austria-Hungary seized smaller nations like Bosnia and Morocco, other countries perceived this as aggressive behavior.

How did the war start?

Many nations had formed alliances, pledging mutual protection. If one was attacked, its allies would defend it. On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to Austria-Hungary’s throne, was assassinated by a Serbian who believed Serbia should control Bosnia. This led to a chain reaction:

• Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.
• Russia, allied with Serbia, mobilized against Austria-Hungary.
• Germany, allied with Austria-Hungary, declared war on Russia.
• Britain declared war on Germany after Germany invaded neutral Belgium, as Britain had commitments to protect Belgium and France.

Franz Ferdinand was murdered while visiting Sarajevo in Bosnia

What was trench warfare?

Trench warfare defined many battles. Soldiers lived in long, dug-out ditches called trenches and occasionally emerged to attack. The Battle of the Somme (July to November 1916) was a notable example, resulting in approximately one million soldiers killed, wounded, or missing.

How did life at home change?

The Defence of the Realm Act expanded government control, imposing restrictions on activities like lighting bonfires, pub operations, and purchasing binoculars. Feeding wild animals was criminalized as food waste, and newspapers were censored to publish only war-supportive content. The war created new job opportunities, particularly in weapon manufacturing, allowing some women to enter paid employment for the first time. The war profoundly altered everyone’s lives, leaving a lasting impact.