IB DP History: First World War Conflict (New Syllabus 2026) Outline

Stop stressing over the new syllabus! This comprehensive course outline provides a complete framework for teaching the Conflict Thematic Study using the First World War as the central case study, fully aligned with the IB DP History guide for first assessment 2028.

Designed by a seasoned educator, this resource breaks down the new curriculum’s focus on Inquiry Questions and Lines of Inquiry. It ensures your students meet the critical requirement of using historical examples from more than one region, preparing them for success in Paper 2.

What’s Inside?
This detailed outline is structured around the four prescribed inquiry questions for the Conflict thematic study:

Why did conflict emerge? (Economic, Political, Social, and Environmental factors)

What determined the outcome? (Leadership, Strategy, Resources, Technology)

How did the conflict affect people’s lives? (Economic impact, Social change, Women’s experiences, Marginalized groups)

How was peace established? (Military outcomes, Political decisions, Post-conflict peace-building)

Why buy this resource?

Syllabus-Aligned: Directly maps to the 2026 IB History Guide (First Exams 2028) . No more guessing what “Lines of Inquiry” actually look like in practice.

Multi-Regional Focus: Includes explicit guidance on connecting diverse global examples (e.g., comparing the Western Front, the Eastern Front, the role of colonial troops, and the impact in the Middle East), fulfilling the core assessment requirement.

Ready-to-Use Framework: Provides a logical teaching sequence, saving you hours of planning time. You can use it to build your unit plan, create presentations, or design student booklets.

Skill Development: Highlights opportunities to teach the three key skills: analysing concepts, explaining examples, and connecting diverse global examples.

Give your students the best possible preparation for the new syllabus. This isn’t just a list of topics; it’s a strategic roadmap for the entire unit.