Conflict & the First World War is a core part of GCSE History. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.
Key concepts
Schlieffen PlanGermany's 1914 plan to defeat France in 6 weeks
First MarneSept 1914 battle that halted the German advance
Trench warfareStalemate of dug-in armies along a 400-mile front
Verdun1916 ten-month battle costing ~700,000 casualties
Somme1916 British offensive — 57,000 casualties on day one
ArmisticeCeasefire signed at 11am on 11 November 1918
Treaty of VersaillesPeace treaty signed 28 June 1919 with Germany
Big ThreeWilson (USA), Clemenceau (France), Lloyd George (UK)
Article 231War Guilt Clause blaming Germany for the war
Reparations£6.6 billion Germany was made to pay the Allies
Fourteen PointsWilson's plan for a fair peace and League of Nations
DiktatGerman word for a dictated treaty they could not refuse
Triple AllianceGermany, Austria-Hungary and Italy from 1882
Triple EntenteFrance, Russia and Britain by 1907
Common mistakes to avoid
Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:
Was WWI caused only by the assassination of Franz Ferdinand?✗ Yes, that was the sole cause. ✓ No — that was the trigger; long-term causes included alliances, militarism, imperialism and nationalism.
What was fighting on the Western Front mostly like?✗ Fast, mobile cavalry battles throughout. ✓ Trench warfare and stalemate for long periods.
How did Germans view the Treaty of Versailles?✗ As a fair settlement they accepted willingly. ✓ As a harsh 'diktat' (war guilt, reparations, lost land) that caused deep resentment.
Did the League of Nations successfully prevent war?✗ Yes, it prevented all conflict. ✓ It had some successes but failed to stop aggression in the 1930s (Manchuria, Abyssinia).
Practise Conflict & the First World War — free games
Test yourself with these quick revision games for this topic:
See all 17 games in the Subjects Arcade →
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