Causes of World War I (Lower Ability) Worksheet | GCSE Level - Free Printable

Worksheet: Causes of World War I

#### Task 1: Make sure you know the terms.

The worksheet provides a glossary at the top right to help define key terms related to the causes of World War I. The task is to use this glossary to complete the table and answer the questions.

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#### Step 1: Complete the Table Using the Glossary

The glossary defines the following terms:

- Militarism: Building up armed forces, getting ready for war.
- Alliances: Agreements or promises to defend and help another country.
- Imperialism: Trying to build up an Empire.
- Nationalism: Having pride in your country, willing to defend it.

Using these definitions, fill in the table:

| Term | Definition |
|--------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Militarism | Building up armed forces, getting ready for war. |
| Alliances | Agreements or promises to defend and help another country. |
| Imperialism | Trying to build up an Empire. |
| Nationalism | Having pride in your country, willing to defend it. |

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#### Step 2: Answer the Questions

##### Question 2:
"Germany wanted to build up her Empire. Copy and complete:
- Germany wished to build up her Empire. This is known as ____________.
- Germany also built up her armed forces – known as ____________."

- Germany wished to build up her Empire. This is known as Imperialism.
- Germany also built up her armed forces – known as Militarism.

##### Question 3:
"Britain had both the most powerful navy in the world and the largest Empire. Copy and complete:
- As Britain had the most powerful navy she was worried about other countries building up their armed forces. We could call this a worry about ____________.
- Germany, Britain and other countries were keen to have large Empires."

- As Britain had the most powerful navy she was worried about other countries building up their armed forces. We could call this a worry about Militarism.
- Germany, Britain and other countries were keen to have large Empires. This refers to Imperialism.

##### Question 4:
"Copy and try to fill in the missing words using your table:
Countries in Europe were very proud of themselves, and would defend their country as well as they could. This is known as ____________."

- Countries in Europe were very proud of themselves, and would defend their country as well as they could. This is known as Nationalism.

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#### Final Answers:

1. Completed Table:
| Term | Definition |
|--------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Militarism | Building up armed forces, getting ready for war. |
| Alliances | Agreements or promises to defend and help another country. |
| Imperialism | Trying to build up an Empire. |
| Nationalism | Having pride in your country, willing to defend it. |

2. Germany wished to build up her Empire. This is known as Imperialism.
- Germany also built up her armed forces – known as Militarism.

3. As Britain had the most powerful navy she was worried about other countries building up their armed forces. We could call this a worry about Militarism.
- Germany, Britain and other countries were keen to have large Empires. This refers to Imperialism.

4. Countries in Europe were very proud of themselves, and would defend their country as well as they could. This is known as Nationalism.

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Final Answer Box:

\boxed{
\begin{aligned}
&\text{1. Table:} \\
&\quad \text{Militarism: Building up armed forces, getting ready for war.} \\
&\quad \text{Alliances: Agreements or promises to defend and help another country.} \\
&\quad \text{Imperialism: Trying to build up an Empire.} \\
&\quad \text{Nationalism: Having pride in your country, willing to defend it.} \\
&\text{2. Imperialism, Militarism} \\
&\text{3. Militarism, Imperialism} \\
&\text{4. Nationalism}
\end{aligned}
}