world war 1 essay questions and answers

World War I

World war i essay questions.

This collection of World War I essay questions has been written and compiled by Alpha History authors. These questions can also be used for short answer responses, research tasks, homework and revision activities. If you would like to suggest a question for this page, please contact Alpha History .

The world before 1914

1. Explain why nationalism was a significant force in 19th century Germany.

2. How did the leadership of Otto von Bismarck shape the future of Germany to 1914?

3. What were the outcomes of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71? How did these outcomes shape late 19th and early 20th century European relations?

4. Explain how the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s ethnic, cultural and language diversity created problems for the ruling Hapsburg dynasty.

5. Why was the Ottoman Empire considered the ‘sick man of Europe’? How did its problems affect or concern major European powers?

6. Compare and contrast the British, French and German Empires at the beginning of the 20th century.

7. Explain how militarism shaped and affected politics, economics and society in Germany to 1914. How democratic and representative was German government during this period?

8. How did imperialism and imperial rivalry contribute to European tensions between 1871 and 1914?

9. Discuss three alliances of the 19th and early 20th centuries, describing how each alliance affected European relations.

10. Bismarck famously said that a European war would start from “some damn foolish thing in the Balkans”. What “foolish things” happened in this region in the decade before World War I – and how did they affect European relations?

The road to war

1. Identify and discuss the three most significant factors leading to the outbreak of World War I.

2. Investigate and discuss the ‘war readiness’ and military strengths and weaknesses of Europe’s major powers in 1914.

3. What was Weltpolitik and how did it contribute to European tensions to 1914?

4. “Kaiser Wilhelm II was more responsible for the outbreak of World War I than any other individual leader.” To what extent is this statement true?

5. I,n the early 1900s many believed England and Germany had much in common and should have been allies, not antagonists. What were the sources or reasons for Anglo-German tension prior to 1914?

6. Investigate the relationship between Serbia and Austria-Hungary in the years prior to 1914. Why was Serbian nationalism worrying for Austro-Hungarian leaders?

7. Austria considered Serbia wholly responsible for the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife. To what extent was the Serbian government truly responsible?

8. It is often said that the alliance system made a major war inevitable. Did alliances alone compel European nations to war after June 1914 – or were other factors involved?

9. Many historians suggest that the ‘failure of diplomacy’ led to war in 1914. What attempts did European diplomats make to negotiate and avoid war, and why did these attempts fail?

10. What do the ‘Nicky and Willy telegrams’ (between the Russian tsar and German kaiser) reveal about the character and leadership of both men?

11. Were the Kaiser and his advisors anticipating a European war that involved Britain? Explain how Britain became entangled in the road to war in mid 1914.

12. Focusing on three different countries, describe how the press and the public responded to declarations of war in August 1914.

13. Investigate anti-war sentiment in 1914. Which groups and individuals wrote, spoke or campaigned against war? What arguments did they put forward?

14. Explain why the small nation of Belgium became so crucial, both in July and August 1914.

15. Why did the Ottoman Empire enter World War I? What were its objectives and how prepared was it for a major war?

Battles and battle fronts

1. Why did the Schlieffen Plan fail in its objectives? Could Schlieffen’s strategy have been made to work?

2. What were the outcomes of the Battles of Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes in 1914? What did these battles reveal about the Russian military?

3. What happened at the first Battle of the Marne in 1914? What were the outcomes of this battle and what influence did it have on the rest of the war?

4. Compare the Western Front and Eastern Front as theatres of war. What were the similarities and differences in warfare on these two fronts?

5. How did naval power and the war on the seas shape the course of World War I? Refer to at least three major battles or incidents in your answer.

6. Why did the Allies consider the Dardanelles of strategic importance? Explain why the Dardanelles campaign of 1915 was a failure for the Allies.

7. What were the main objectives of the war in the Middle East? Discuss at least three significant locations or battles in your answer.

8. Why did Italy enter World War I in 1915? Where did most Italian troops fight and what impact did the war have on Italy?

9. Explain why the Battle of the Somme was such a significant operation, particularly for British forces.

10. Germany’s strategy of ‘unrestricted submarine warfare’ was largely responsible for bringing the United States into the war. Was it a reasonable or justifiable policy? Why was it adopted?

Methods of warfare

1. “World War I generals used 19th century battlefield strategies against 20th century equipment.” Discuss and evaluate this claim.

2. It is often said that British soldiers were “lions led by donkeys”. To what extent was this really true?

3. Explain why trench warfare became the dominant form of warfare on the Western Front.

4. What was life like for the average trench soldier? What were the duties, routines and rotations for those who served in the trenches?

5. Evaluate the use and impact of chemical weapons in World War I. Were they an important weapon of war – or were they used for terror and shock value?

6. Prior to 1914 cavalry (horse-mounted soldiers) were an important feature of most armies. Did cavalry regiments play any significant role in World War I?

7. Using evidence and referring to specific battles or events, explain which three weapons had the greatest impact on the battlefields of the Western Front.

8. How were aircraft like planes and airships used in World War I? Did these machines have any impact on the war and its outcomes – or were they a sideshow to the real fighting on the ground?

9. Tanks are one of the most significant weapons to emerge from World War I. Investigate and discuss the development, early use and effectiveness of tanks in the war.

10. The Hague Convention outlined the ‘rules of war’ that were in place during World War I. Referring to specific examples, discuss where and how these ‘rules of war’ were breached.

1. How did the public in Britain and other nations respond to the outbreak of war in August 1914? Was there unanimous support for the war?

2. What impact did Kaiser Wilhelm II have on military strategy and domestic policy after August 1914? How effective was the Kaiser as a wartime leader?

3. What powers did the Defence of the Realm Act give the British government? How did the Act affect life and work in wartime Britain?

4. Referring to either Britain, France or Germany, discuss how one national government managed and coordinated the war effort.

5. Investigate voluntary enlistment figures in one nation after August 1914. When and why did voluntary enlistment fall? What steps did the government take to encourage volunteers to enlist?

6. Focusing on three different nations, discuss when and why conscription was introduced – and whether this attracted any criticism or opposition.

7. What was the Shell Crisis of 1915? What impact did this crisis have on the British government and its wartime strategy?

8. Using specific examples, explain how wartime governments used censorship and propaganda to strengthen the war effort.

9. Why was there a change of wartime government in Britain in late 1916?

10. What was the ‘Silent Dictatorship’ in wartime Germany? How effective was this regime in managing both the war effort and the domestic situation?

Towards a conclusion

1. Explain why casualties and loss of life were so high in 1916, particularly at Verdun and the Somme.

2. How did the leadership of Lloyd George (Britain) and Clemenceau (France) invigorate the war effort in their countries?

3. Discuss the issues and problems raised by conscription in Australia and Canada. Why was compulsory military service accepted in Europe but not in those two countries?

4. Why did the government of Tsar Nicholas II collapse in February and March 1917? How did the war help bring about revolution in Russia?

5. To what extent was the United States able to honour its pledge of neutrality in 1914-16?

6. Was the entry of the United States into World War I inevitable? Or was it a consequence of unforeseen factors?

7. What happened in the German Reichstag in July 1917? What did this reveal about German attitudes to the war?

8. What impact did the Allied naval blockade have on German society and the German war effort?

9. Explain the terms and effects of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, signed in March 1918. What implications did this treaty have, both for Russia and the war in general?

10. What did German commanders hope to achieve by launching the Spring Offensive? What problems or obstacles did they face?

Treaties and post-war Europe

1. Compare and contrast the objectives and approaches of the ‘Big Three’ (Wilson, Lloyd George and Clemenceau) at the Paris peace talks.

2. Describe how the map of Europe was changed as a consequence of World War I and post-war treaties. What grievances might have arisen from these changes?

3. Explain the fate of the Hapsburg dynasty and the Austro-Hungarian Empire after the conclusion of World War I.

4. What happened to the Ottoman Empire and its territories after World War I? Describe its transition from a 19th century empire to the modern nation-state of Turkey.

5. A French general said of the Treaty of Versailles that was not a peace but a “20 year armistice”. Was he correct and, if so, why?

6. Why was Article 231 included in the Treaty of Versailles? What was the response to this particular clause, both in Germany and around the world?

7. Discuss what happened to European colonial possessions after World War I. Were colonies retained, seized by other nations or liberated?

8. How did the United States respond to the Treaty of Versailles? What were the global implications of this American response?

9. How effective was the newly formed League of Nations at resolving conflict and securing world peace?

10. Investigate and discuss the social effects of World War I in at least two countries. How did ordinary people live, during and after the war?

11. How did World War I affect the social, political and economic status of women?

Title: “World War I essay questions” Authors: Brian Doone, Jennifer Llewellyn, Jim Southey, Steve Thompson Publisher: Alpha History URL: https://alphahistory.com/worldwar1/world-war-i-essay-questions/ Date published: October 24, 2015 Date accessed: March 09, 2023 Copyright: The content on this page may not be republished without our express permission. For more information on usage, please refer to our Terms of Use .

158 World War 1 Topics for Essays with Examples

Looking for good World War 1 topics to write about? This area of study is exciting, controversial, and worth analysing!

💡 Good Essay Topics on WW1

In your WW1 essay, you might want to focus on the causes of the conflict, its participants, or answer the question of who started the First World War. In this article, we’ve gathered 139 WW1 ideas that you can use in any project, presentation, or even debate. There are also great World War 1 essay examples to inspire you even more.

🔝 Top 10 World War 1 Topics to Write about

📝 World War 1 Essay: How to Write

With over 60 million people mobilized and involving countries all around the world, any World War 1 Essay is bound to touch upon a wide variety of topics.

The mechanics behind the start of the war, its process, and results all interconnect, which may make the subject seem hard to understand and harder to outline.

However, navigating your way around World War 1 essay questions is only a matter of taking note of a few cornerstone historical processes.

Before You Start Your Outline

Do some research on your assigned issue. The more books and journals you peruse, the more aware of your subject you will be. You will not use all of them, but you will form an understanding of which titles your essay needs.

As you continue your research, start compiling your bibliography, which will be the backbone of your essay’s credibility. World War 1 is a highly historiographical event, and you will be sure to find a wide variety of literature on it on the internet.

Write down some essential terms and think about how they relate to your essay. Imperialism, nationalism, the Versailles treaty are good starter examples of omnipresent processes and results of World War 1. Doing so may help you give your essay a new, previously explored perspective.

Structuring your Thoughts into an Essay Outline

After you have finished with your sources and key terms, think about how you can split your main theme into subtopics.

Even if your essay is a single page, doing so will allow you to divide your ideas evenly between paragraphs. If it is on the longer side, think about including subheadings in your work.

This action gives your essay a more rigid structure that is easy to read. Additionally, now is the time to think about your essay’s title. World War 1 essay titles should reflect your stance as the writer and hint at the conclusion that you will draw.

You may feel like your outlined subheadings are overlapping, making your essay seem messy. In this case, find and read a World War 1 essay sample. Plagiarism is a severe academic offense, but getting inspired by someone else’s work, while giving credit, is not.

Beginning to Write

You should try to start your essay with something that attracts the attention of your readers. This World War 1 essay hook can be a fact or an intriguing explanation of a process central to your topic. Then, in this paragraph:

Each paragraph you include should link back to your thesis statement. Always be sure to ask yourself when writing:

Remember that a good structure reflects the amount of effort you put into your work. Need a sample to get inspired? Head over to IvyPanda!

🏆 Best World War 1 Essay Topics & Examples

🔎 Interesting Topics to Write about World War 1

⭐ World War 1 Research Topics

📃 Simple & Easy World War 1 Essay Titles

❓ World War 1 Essay Questions

💯 Free World War 1 Essay Topic Generator

IvyPanda. (2023, January 24). 158 World War 1 Topics for Essays with Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/world-war-1-essay-examples/

IvyPanda. (2023, January 24). 158 World War 1 Topics for Essays with Examples. Retrieved from https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/world-war-1-essay-examples/

"158 World War 1 Topics for Essays with Examples." IvyPanda , 24 Jan. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/world-war-1-essay-examples/.

1. IvyPanda . "158 World War 1 Topics for Essays with Examples." January 24, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/world-war-1-essay-examples/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "158 World War 1 Topics for Essays with Examples." January 24, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/world-war-1-essay-examples/.

IvyPanda . 2023. "158 World War 1 Topics for Essays with Examples." January 24, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/world-war-1-essay-examples/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '158 World War 1 Topics for Essays with Examples'. 24 January.

Suggestions

Please wait while we process your payment

Reset Password

Your password reset email should arrive shortly..

If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Sometimes it can end up there.

Something went wrong

Log in or create account.

By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy .

Don’t have an account? Subscribe now

Create Your Account

Sign up for your FREE 7-day trial

Already have an account? Log in

Choose Your Plan

$4.99 /month + tax

$24.99 /year + tax

Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan!

Purchasing SparkNotes PLUS for a group?

Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more!

$24.99 $18.74   / subscription + tax

Subtotal $37.48 + tax

Save 25% on 2-49 accounts

Save 30% on 50-99 accounts

Want 100 or more? Contact us for a customized plan.

Payment Details

Payment Summary

SparkNotes Plus

 Change

You'll be billed after your free trial ends.

7-Day Free Trial

Not Applicable

Renews March 19, 2023 March 12, 2023

Discounts (applied to next billing)

SNPLUSROCKS20  |  20% Discount

This is not a valid promo code.

Discount Code (one code per order)

SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at [email protected] . Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Free trial is available to new customers only.

For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more!

You’ve successfully purchased a group discount. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. You'll also receive an email with the link.

Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership.

Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Continue to start your free trial.

Your PLUS subscription has expired

World War I (1914–1919)

Unlock your FREE SparkNotes PLUS trial!

Unlock your free trial.

Suggested Essay Topics

1 . What is trench warfare, and why was so much of World War I dominated by this method of fighting? Consider such elements as technology, strategy, attitudes of leaders, and any other factors you can think of. How did trench warfare affect the duration of the war?

2 . After the war, Germany was punished much more severely than were the remnants of Austria-Hungary. Do you think this was reasonable? In your answer, consider the roles each country shared in starting and escalating the war. Also consider the roles of Serbia and Russia.

3 . How did the use of new technologies during World War I influence the war? Which sides benefited the most from which technologies? Did any of them play a role in either lengthening or in shortening the war? Which technologies were the most important?

4 . Discuss the U.S. policy on American troops serving in Europe during World War I. Why do you think American commanders were hesitant to allow U.S. soldiers to serve in British and French regiments? What effect did this policy have on America’s relations with the other Allied countries?

5 . What was the Schlieffen Plan and why was it unsuccessful during World War I?

Popular pages: World War I (1914–1919)

Review quiz further study, take a study break.

world war 1 essay questions and answers

QUIZ: Is This a Taylor Swift Lyric or a Quote by Edgar Allan Poe?

world war 1 essay questions and answers

The 7 Most Embarrassing Proposals in Literature

world war 1 essay questions and answers

The 6 Best and Worst TV Show Adaptations of Books

world war 1 essay questions and answers

QUIZ: Which Greek God Are You?

world war 1 essay questions and answers

World War 1 essay questions

Profile Picture

Students also viewed

Dbq for wwi.

Profile Picture

WW1 packet 1/17/17

World war 1 essay questions, history of europe test 6th grade.

Profile Picture

Recent flashcard sets

Ap psych- drugs.

Profile Picture

Chapter 33 Lab

Profile Picture

Sets found in the same folder

Industrial revolution essay questions, possible essay questions reformation edition.

Profile Picture

French Revolution Essay Questions

Profile Picture

Renaissance Test Essay Questions

Profile Picture

Other sets by this creator

Bioanthropology unit 2, bioanthropology unit 1, derivatives of inverse functions, verified questions.

How is immigration changing the United States?

Identify: Boxer Rebellion, "Great White Fleet," Hay-Pauncefote Treaty,Roosevelt Corollary.

How might Roosevelt have tried to improve relations with Congress and win more support for his efforts?

On the answer line, write the word from the vocabulary list that fits each definition.

A broad comic piece that uses ridicule to attack a person, group, or institution; a light, good-natured criticism ___________________

Recommended textbook solutions

Social Studies American History: Reconstruction to the Present Guided Reading Workbook 1st Edition by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

Social Studies American History: Reconstruction to the Present Guided Reading Workbook

American History 1st Edition by Holt McDougal

American History

World History and Geography Student 1st Edition by McGraw-Hill

World History and Geography Student

World History and Geography 2nd Edition by Jackson J. Spielvogel

World History and Geography

Other quizlet sets, majeurs ou mineures.

Profile Picture

Assurance : 14 Code of professional ethics

Profile Picture

Vicki Study Guide 7, 8, 9 and medication work…

World War I Essay Questions

Related documents.

World War I: Textbook Scavenger Hunt

Add this document to collection(s)

You can add this document to your study collection(s)

Add this document to saved

You can add this document to your saved list

Suggest us how to improve StudyLib

(For complaints, use another form )

Input it if you want to receive answer

Study.com

We're sorry, this computer has been flagged for suspicious activity.

If you are a member, we ask that you confirm your identity by entering in your email.

You will then be sent a link via email to verify your account.

If you are not a member or are having any other problems, please contact customer support.

Thank you for your cooperation

IMAGES

  1. World War 1 Essay Example for Free

    world war 1 essay questions and answers

  2. 👍 What caused world war 1 essay. What were the causes of World War One?. 2019-01-05

    world war 1 essay questions and answers

  3. Causes of World War 1 Essay by Dan Jones on Prezi

    world war 1 essay questions and answers

  4. Causes of World War 1 Essay

    world war 1 essay questions and answers

  5. World War 1 Essay

    world war 1 essay questions and answers

  6. Causes of WWI Questions

    world war 1 essay questions and answers

VIDEO

  1. 🔴 Live: How to Write a Perfect Essay for TSPSC Group 1 Mains ?

  2. CMA Part 1 Unit 1 Essay Questions

  3. How to Structure Answers on the AQA First World War Paper

  4. Cats play Tic-Tac-Toe game 😱🐱🐾

  5. French 2 Review for Exam 1 Essay Questions

  6. Can A Katana Cut Through Steel Pipe?

COMMENTS

  1. World War I essay questions

    1. Why did the Schlieffen Plan fail in its objectives? · 2. What were the outcomes of the Battles of Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes in 1914?

  2. 158 World War 1 Topics for Essays with Examples

    ❓ World War 1 Essay Questions · How Important Was the Entry of the U.S. Into the First World War? · Was the First World War a Total War? · What

  3. WWI TEST REVIEW: ESSAY PREPARATION (ANSWERS)

    WWI TEST REVIEW: ESSAY PREPARATION (ANSWERS). 1.) Describe three events that pushed the United States toward entering World War I. Sinking the Lusitania.

  4. World War I (1914–1919): Suggested Essay Topics

    1. What is trench warfare, and why was so much of World War I dominated by this method of fighting? · 2. After the war, Germany was punished much more severely

  5. World War 1 essay questions Flashcards

    What were the causes of World War 1? · Why did the U.S join the war? · What were the effects of war on Europe and America? · Why did American Allies reject

  6. WWI BACKGROUND ESSAY

    Answers to Background Essay Questions. 1. What is meant by the phrase "In 1900 ... dead and wounded in World War I? (Give your answer as a fraction.).

  7. World War I Possible Essay Questions & Rubric Note

    World War I Possible Essay Questions & Rubric. Note: I will pick one of the following questions for you to answer on your test. You will answer the question

  8. World War I Essay Questions Worksheets

    Click here to print (PDF). Handout #2: 1. Describe the role played by nationalism in World War I. 2.

  9. World War I Essay Questions

    How did new technology in WWI influence warfare? Do you think this was (and continues to be) a positive or negative influence? Explain your answer with specific

  10. Causes of World War I Essay Questions

    Do you consider nationalism more of a political phenomenon or more of an economic idea? Choose one of these categories, and use the development of nationalism