Why were the soldiers there?

Teachers’ Briefing Notes.

Obviously this one needs to be pitched at a different level to suit the age range of KS 2. It’s something of a cross-curricular theme in that it is as much a European geographical topic as well as a political historical topic. All the children will understand the quarrelling aspect and after colouring in the countries on the map should be able to work out that since the Central Powers were ‘boxed in’ by the Allies they had cause to worry. If the children do not notice this problem their attention could be drawn to it via a question and answer session. The older children should perhaps be made aware of some of the long term ‘balance of power’ tensions that had established an increasingly dangerous situation.