In this gallery you are trying to decide why Britain decided to get involved in the war and did not leave the European powers to fight it out. Your task is divided into two parts.
Examine the sources in the case studies
On our research table is a list of statements. Have a look at the statements and decide how far the evidence of the sources in this gallery supports or contradicts them.
Open the research table and print it out or save it to your computer. Then you can fill it in.
Plan a speech
It is Christmas 1914. You are British Prime Minister Herbert Asquith. Like most British people, you thought the war would be over by Christmas. It is now obvious to everyone that it will not be over for some time.
You are going to give a speech in Parliament that will be reported in all the newspapers. Your aim is to remind people why Britain went to war in August 1914 and to convince them that the cause is worth the suffering.
Use our recording sheet to help you plan your speech.