Contextualization

World War I, a conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918, was one of the most significant events of the 20th century. With Europe as its central stage, this war marked a new phase of military conflicts, where technology and industrialization played a crucial role in the battles. It is essential to have a deep understanding of this historical milestone to comprehend the dynamics of the political and economic international relations that shape the world as we know it today.

During the war, innovative war strategies such as the use of trenches and mass mobilization were employed. The world powers involved fought vigorously to preserve or expand their empires, forming alliances that fragmented Europe into two opposing blocs. World War I was, in fact, a struggle for imperialist supremacy among the great powers.

Introduction

Studying World War I is an invitation to understand the dynamics of colonialism in Africa and Asia, the logic of resistance of local populations to international issues, and the dynamics of capitalism and its crises. Furthermore, it allows us to identify and relate the conflicts experienced in Europe during that period, as well as recognize different forms of violence (physical, symbolic, psychological, etc.) and their social, psychological, and affective causes.

This study will help us understand how processes of space occupation and the formation of territories, territorialities, and borders occur, identifying the role of different agents such as social and cultural groups, empires, nation-states, and international organizations. We will also analyze the ramifications of the conflict beyond the theater of war, addressing the impact on population conflicts (internal and external), ethnic-cultural diversity, and the socio-economic, political, and technological characteristics of the time.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Recreating World War I: A Journey through History and Geopolitics"

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to allow students a deep immersion in World War I by recreating key events, discussing their causes and consequences, analyzing historical maps, and creating timelines. In this way, students will be able to understand the complexities of global events and their implications on the world stage.

Detailed Project Description

Groups should choose a country involved in World War I and conduct an in-depth study of its role in the conflict. Using different sources of information such as books, academic articles, and documentaries, they will create a detailed timeline of events, accompanied by historical maps and in-depth analyses.

Students must prepare a presentation, which can be done through slides or video, where they will present the collected information and discuss the reasons why the chosen country got involved in the conflict, detailing its strategies, main battles, post-war consequences, and impacts on the population and its colonies (if any).

Required Materials

• Internet access for research.
• Resources for the final project development (presentation software, drawing materials for maps, etc.).
• Bibliographic material (books, articles, documentaries) about World War I.

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

1. Formation of groups of 3 to 5 students.
2. Selection of the country to be researched.
3. In-depth research on the country in World War I.
4. Creation of a detailed timeline of important events related to the chosen country during the war.
5. Analysis of historical maps of the period, with special attention to territorial changes during the conflict.
6. Preparation and execution of the presentation.
7. Writing the final document, containing: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography.

Project Deliverables

• Detailed timeline of key events related to the chosen country during World War I.
• Analysis of territorial changes viewed through historical maps.
• Presentation in slide or video format on the role of the chosen country in the war.
• Written document, in which they will present the research topic and its relevance, explain the methodology used, provide the theory behind the dynamics of the chosen country in World War I, and discuss the results obtained.

In the Introduction, students should briefly describe World War I and the choice of the country to be studied, justifying its relevance in the context of the conflict.

The Development should contain the timeline, the analysis of historical maps, and a detailed description of the country's role in the conflict, its main events, battles, and the consequences of the war.

In the Conclusions, students should recap the most important aspects of the study and discuss what they learned from the project.

The Bibliography should list all research sources used in the project.