World War I was a devastating conflict that engulfed Europe and dragged in many other countries through a tangle of alliances. The war’s aftermath set the stage for even greater challenges in the years that followed.

In this episode of The World History Curriculum Companion, we explore the causes of World War I, including militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism. We’ll examine the brutal realities of trench warfare, key battles, and the impact of new military technologies. Then, we’ll discuss the Treaty of Versailles, economic turmoil of the Great Depression, the Russian Revolution, and revolutions that took place in the Interwar Era, all of which contributed to growing tensions leading into World War 2.

This episode is designed to accompany our unit plan on World War 1 and the Interwar Period  for our complete World History curriculum, which includes resources and lessons designed for middle school and high school classrooms.

Students of History provides engaging lessons and resources for every unit in World History, along with US History, Civics & Government, and World Geography. You can learn more at StudentsofHistory.com.