Investigating the Causes of World War I

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This engaging educational video adopts a creative "detective" persona to investigate the complex origins of World War I. Framed as a murder mystery solving the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the video breaks down the long-term geopolitical tensions that turned a single event into a global conflict. It systematically explores the "facts," the "scene," and the "murder" to help students understand the causality of history. Key themes include the four main causes of the war: Nationalism, Imperialism, Militarism, and Alliances. The video provides detailed explanations of specific historical contexts, such as the Franco-Prussian War, the decline of the Ottoman Empire, the "Powder Keg" of the Balkans, and the web of secret treaties between European powers like Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, France, and Britain. It also profiles key figures like Otto von Bismarck, Kaiser Wilhelm II, and Gavrilo Princip. For educators, this video serves as an excellent anchor for a unit on WWI. Its unique narrative structure keeps students engaged while simplifying complex political concepts through clear definitions and map visualizations. The video includes built-in pause points for checking understanding and encourages critical thinking about how regional disputes can escalate into world-altering events.