National History Day
Why Did the United States Enter World War I in 1917?
World War I was the first major conflict on a global scale. Using primary documents, learners determine why the United States chose to enter World War I when it did. After analytical writing and group research, the causes of America's...
Syracuse University
World War I
World War I was known for its gruesome battlefields and horrific injuries. Using photographs from a battlefield surgeon's scrapbook, scholars see first-hand what life was like in the trenches. After creating a timeline of the war using...
Curated OER
Wilson and American Entry into World War I
Students explore the events that led to American entry into World War I. In this American history lesson plan, students examine the policies of Woodrow Wilson at the dawn of the war, analyze challenges to the neutrality policy of the...
A&E Television
The World Wars
Contemporaneously known as The Great War, World War I had never seen its match on the global stage—until World War II. An engaging set of resources designed to extend a viewing of the History Channel's The World Wars features discussion...
Curated OER
Lesson 6: World War I Ends
Students study why the United States entered World War I and brainstorm what led to the German collapse on the front. They review arguments for the factors contributing to the end of the war.
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Extra! Extra! Read All About It?
Remember the Lusitania! As part of their study of the causes of World War I, class members examine newspaper articles and propaganda posters about the sinking of the Lusitania and then craft their own news story about the event.
Curated OER
World War I and World War II Timeline Cards
In this World War I and World War II chronological events worksheet, students examine the timeline cards. The cards may be cut out so that students may study the chronology of events.
Curated OER
The Legacy of the "Great War"
Students study how the map of Europe changed as a result of the Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War I. They examine the results of the end of the Cold War.
Curated OER
The First World War
In this World War I worksheet, students review a chapter as they match 5 men to their accomplishments, read 5 false statements then make them true, and identify 2 historical themes pertaining America's role in the war.
Facing History and Ourselves
We and They, the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire
Learners examine World War I war crimes. For this world history instructional activity, learners use primary and secondary sources to research and understand the action taken by the United States during the Armenian Genocide. Learners...
Curated OER
Enemy or Ally: America's Response to the Russian Revolution
Students examine the events related to the Russian Revolution. In groups, they use the internet to discover the concerns of Woodrow Wilson during this time period and relate them to the origins of the Cold War. To end the instructional...
Curated OER
Lesson 3: U.S. Neutrality and the War in Europe, 1939-1940
Learners examine the U.S. neutrality policies that preceded American involvement in World War II. In this World War II lesson, students explore the events in Europe from 1939 to 1940 and Roosevelt's decision to give military aid to Britain.
Curated OER
Women and World War II
Students determine the influence of World War II on women's roles in society. Students research the answers to questions about how women were able to enter jobs that had not been open to them before the war and how this affected society....
Curated OER
Axis and Allies World War II Simulation
Students investigate World War II through the computer game Axis and Allies. They discuss the basics of World War II before playing the game, spend eight weeks playing the game that is a simulation of World War II, and write a report...
Indiana University
Literature of Asia and the Middle East: "A Sound of Hammering" by Dazai Osamu
Dazai Osamu’s short story, “A Sound of Hammering” is the focus of a three-day investigation of modern Japanese literature and life in post-World War II Japan. The events in Osamu’s story mirror those in his own life, and give a...
Curated OER
The Home Front - "Food Will Win The War"
High schoolers define and identify propaganda. They analyze the multiple sides of an issue (problem resolution skills), then discuss the racial environment of Alabama during World War I. They reate a poster reflecting the concerns of the...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Imperialism, Arab Nationalism and World War I
Continued conflict in the Middle East makes this lesson relevant, and the inclusion of a critique of Lawrence of Arabia might increase student interest in a potentially challenging topic. The resource includes a solid introduction to the...
Curated OER
African Americans in World War I - Lesson Two
Students explore the decision to allow African Americans enlist in the military. In teams of three to four, students debate allowing Muslim Americans to enlist in the war. Students not participating in the debate serve as legislatures....
Curated OER
The Great War: Evaluating the Treaty of Versailles
Young scholars examine and evaluate the Treaty of Versailles. They read and discuss primary source documents, explore various websites, develop a list of postwar goals for France, Germany, and the U.S., and evaluate whether the treaty...
Smithsonian Institution
Mobilizing Children
Scholars find out how the government used propaganda to mobilize children to help in the war effort. Lesson exercises include analyzing a quote from Franklin Roosevelt, viewing propaganda images and posters, and participating in a lively...
Curated OER
The Battle of the Bulge
Students research the events and results of the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. As a class, they discuss the role of the military in the entire European theater and write a paper describing the situations and conditions the...
Curated OER
Battles and Events of World War II
In this battles and events of World War II study guide worksheet, students read the notes provided and add notes of their own.
Curated OER
Lesson 4. Killing Fields
Eleventh graders describe several of the WWI's bloodiest battles, track the battles' progression to determine advances made by leading nations, and write frontline journalistic accounts of one or more of the battles.
Facing History and Ourselves
What is Justice After Genocide?
Students explore the meaning and implications of genocide. In this human rights lesson, students investigate the Aremenian genocide that took place in Turkey and the subsequent trials of the leader of the genocide held by the Turkish...