WW1: Why did World War 1 start?

Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of why World War One happened – on the weekend of the anniversary of the War starting.----more----

 

We start in Sarajevo with Gavrilo Princeps shooting the Archduke Ferdinand and his wife. But we soon move into exploring some of the theses which historians put forward. We properly explore how the alliance system in Europe acted as a domino effect. We understand the role that the Schliefflen plan had on German thinking. Then we delve into what is known as the Fisher controversy – did the Germans deliberately start the war to help them manage their own internal problems?

 

The whole story is told through not just words but also through song. A unique set of lyrics brings the whole story to life. It is a refrain throughout the episode and then the whole verse it sung at the end.

The episode ends with a segment of the Last Post.

For people who would like to sing along with the song, the lyrics are here:

"Gavrilo shot an old Archduke

I don’t know why he shot the Archduke
Austria did attack the Serbs

Not for them a war of words

The Kaiser attacked the Tsar as well

The world was alight with bullet and shell

The Germans did attack poor France

Something to do with the trains at first glance

German troops attacked Belgium

They certainly were not welcome

Britain came to Belgium’s aid

They saw it as a great crusade

The colonies helped Britain out

With all their help, we were in with a shout

America she turned up late

But when she came she was first rate

 

And millions died"

 

If you liked this episode you might like our episode on the Christmas Truce of 1914.

https://www.historystorytime.com/e/the-christmas-truce-of-1914-1544981461/

Or you might like the story of Jack Cornwell who won the VC, the highest award for gallantry, at the age of just 16 at the Battle of Jutland.

https://www.historystorytime.com/e/jack-cornwell-vc-and-the-battle-of-jutland/