The First World War - Short Term Causes (Franz Ferdinand)

This lesson examines the short-term cause of World War I: the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Students will explore the events leading up to the assassination, the key figures involved, and the immediate consequences. Activities include note-taking, video analysis, writing a newspaper report, and sorting events chronologically. The lesson concludes with a discussion on how this event acted as a spark in an already tense Europe.

Lesson Content and Activities:

Introduction:

Overview of the significance of Franz Ferdinand’s assassination as a short-term cause of WWI.
Major Events and People:

Talk through slides 1-14 detailing the key events and figures. Students make notes using the provided worksheet.
Video Analysis:

Watch a video on the assassination and answer guiding questions.
Background:

Discuss the political situation in 1908 with Bosnia’s annexation and the resulting tensions with Serbia.
The Visit:

Explain Franz Ferdinand’s visit to Sarajevo and the Black Hand Gang’s plan.
First Attack:

Describe the failed bomb attempt by the Black Hand Gang.
Assassination:

Detail Gavrilo Princip’s successful assassination of Franz Ferdinand and his wife.
Princip’s Capture:

Discuss the capture and arrest of Gavrilo Princip.
Newspaper Report:

Students write a newspaper report based on first-hand accounts and quotes from witnesses.
Sorting Activity:

Sort timeline cards of events leading to the outbreak of war in chronological order.
Path to War:

Discuss whether the assassination alone would have been enough to start the war and the idea of long-term issues as the ‘soil’ and short-term triggers as the ‘spark’.
Resources:

Worksheet for note-taking
Video link
Printable timeline cards
Quotes for newspaper report
Taken from a series of over 30 First World War lessons made by Wolsey Academy. They provide a thorough foundation of knowledge in this vital period of 20th Century History and each lesson looks to focus on a range of historical skills and exam techniques to equip students with knowledge and transferable research, analysis and study skills.

To find the complete bundle, search on the Wolsey Academy website. Wolsey Academy operates as a non-profit, with every penny we make going to one of our charity partners or into the Ipswich Initiative, funding good works across the town and county. Search for Wolsey Academy to see our website for more details and to purchase resources at a discount.

Use code ‘WOLSEY’ for 10% off at the Wolsey Academy Web Store.

Please help us, help you, help them. Thank you.

Hope it helps.