This unit focuses on the course and key events of the First World War, from its outbreak in 1914 until the Armistice was signed in 1918.

The purpose of this course is to investigate the nature of fighting and life during the First World War, and to develop an understanding of the course of events during the war, and how they ultimately led to the signing of the Armistice in November 1914.

This unit gives you the information you need to understand the following:

• ❖ The reasons why the war was not over by December 1914, including the failure of the Schlieffen Plan, the extent of the British Expeditionary Force's success and the introduction of the trench system.
• ❖ The reasons for the stalemate on the Western Front, including the nature of trench warfare and life in the trenches, the importance of new technological developments and the significance of Verdun and the Somme.
• ❖ The importance of other fronts, including the War at Sea, Russia and the Eastern Front, and the home fronts.
• ❖ The reasons for Germany's request for an Armistice in 1918, including the USA's 1917 entry into the war, the failure of the Ludendorff Offensive, the German Revolution of 1918, and the reasons for the signing of the Armistice.

Some of the key individuals studied on this course include:

• ❖ Lord Kitchener.
• ❖ Field Marshal Foch.
• ❖ Field Marshal Haig.
• ❖ Admiral Jellicoe.
• ❖ Admiral Scheer.
• ❖ General Brusilov.
• ❖ General Ludendorff.

Some of the key events you will study on this course include:

• ❖ The Schlieffen Plan in operation.
• ❖ The Battles of Mons, the Marne and Ypres.
• ❖ The reaction to the stalemate.
• ❖ The nature and problems of trench warfare.
• ❖ The main battles of the war including Verdun and the Somme.
• ❖ The nature of problems of trench warfare.
• ❖ The impact of technological advances.
• ❖ The Battle of Jutland and its consequences.
• ❖ The use of convoys, submarines and the U-boat campaign.
• ❖ The reasons for, and results of the Gallipoli campaign.
• ❖ The impact of war on civilian populations.
• ❖ Events on the Eastern Front and the surrender of Russia.
• ❖ The German offensive and Allied advance.
• ❖ The impact of American entry into the war.
• ❖ Conditions in Germany by the end of the war.
• ❖ The Kiel Mutiny and German Revolution.
• ❖ The abdication of the Kaiser.
• ❖ The Armistice.

The First World War is one of the specified depth studies found in Paper 1, where you have a total of 2 hours to complete 3 questions. You must answer 2 questions from the core section of the paper and one question from a choice of two questions on your chosen depth study. Therefore, you will answer one question on the First World War if this is your chosen depth study. The question is comprised of 3 sections; a), b), and c).

• ❖ Question a is worth 4 marks. This question will require you to describe key features of the time period. You will be asked to recall 2 relevant points and support them with details or provide at least four relevant points without supporting detail.
• ❖ Question b is worth 6 marks. This question will require you to explain a key event or development. You will need to identify two reasons, support those reasons with relevant factual detail and then explain how the reasons made the event occur.
• ❖ Question c is worth 10 marks. This question will require you to construct an argument to support and challenge an interpretation stated in the question. You will need to have a minimum of three explanations (two on one side and one on the other) in total, fully evaluate the argument and come to a justified conclusion. You will have the opportunity to show your ability to explain and analyse historical events using 2nd order concepts such as causation, consequence, change, continuity, similarity and difference.
• ❖ The First World War may also appear on Paper 4, a one-hour paper in which you will give an extended answer to one question about this topic. Check with your teacher to find out if you will be taking this option.