United States History: 1877 to the Present

Turmoil and Change: 1890s to 1945

USII.4

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the changing role of the United States from the late nineteenth century through World War I by

a) explaining the reasons for and results of the Spanish American War;
b) explaining the reasons for the United States’ involvement in World War I and its leadership role at the conclusion of the war.

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

Begin the unit with the following questions: what were the reasons for the United States becoming involved in World War, who were the Allies, who were the Central Powers, and in what ways did the United States provide leadership at the conclusion of the war.
Explain that the United States involvement in World War I ended a long tradition of avoiding involvement in European conflicts and set the stage for the United States to emerge as a global superpower later in the 20th century.
Explain that there were disagreements about the extent to which the United States should isolate itself from world affairs.
Discuss the reasons for U.S. involvement in war, such as:
- Inability to remain neutral
- German submarine warfare -- sinking of Lusitania
- U.S. economic and political ties to Great Britain
Provide students with background on the state of affairs in Europe before the war. Explain that there were long-term and short-term causes for the war. Define for students the following terms:
- Militarism -- the idea that a nation should build up its military forces and use them to reach the nation's goals
- Nationalism -- strong feeling of pride in and loyalty toward one's country, the belief that the independence and interests of one's own country should come first, the reluctance to work with other nations toward a common goal
- Alliance -- an agreement by two or more nations to act together, especially in time of war
To help explain the concepts of militarism and nationalism, show an excerpt from the film All Quiet on the Western Front. The opening scene of the movie is a vivid portrait of militarism and nationalism.
Have students use the graphic organizer, Causes of World War I worksheet, to take notes on the causes of WWI, either during a guided textbook-reading exercise or during class lecture. For the worksheet, CLICK HERE.
Once students have filled in their graphic organizer and answered the questions, use the overhead to project a blank organizer, and solicit student answers to fill it in. Have students add to and correct their organizers as needed. Although students will have gathered a variety of facts, the important facts should be included in some form. For the Causes of World War I answer key, CLICK HERE.
Have the students use the graphic organizer, Reasons for the United States Entry into World War I, to take notes on the reasons the U.S. finally entered the war. For this graphic organizer, CLICK HERE.
For the answer key to Reasons for the United States Entry into World War I, CLICK HERE.
Explain to the class that map of Europe was drastically altered after WWI. The Treaty of Versailles, which ended the war, dramatically altered the existing political boundaries. Provide students with two historical outline maps: 1) Europe during WWI (Map A at http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/year9links/wwi/map_Europe1914.PDF ) and 2) Europe after WWI (Map B at http://geography.about.com/library/blank/europe.jpg). Students may use their textbooks or an atlas of United States history.
Have students color code Map A to show the following:
- the Allied Powers
- the Central Powers
- the Neutral Nations
Instruct students to label their map neatly and clearly and to include a legend.
When students have completed their map, have them answer the following questions:
- Why was the alliance between France and Russia a threat to Germany?
- Which countries bordered Italy? Based on that information, why do you think Italy sided with the Allies?
- What was the possible impact on Great Britain, France, and Italy of a German blockade?
- How does Map A help us see why the United States decided to enter World War I?
Have students color code Map B to show the new nations created after the war. Instruct students to label their map neatly and clearly and to include a legend.
When students have completed the map, have them answer the following questions:
- How did the Allied Powers "punish" the Central Powers after the war?
- What new countries were created as a result of World War I?
- How does Map B help us to see that entering World War I made the United States a leader on the international level?
Explain to students that the formation of the League of Nations was President Wilson's final goal as President; however, he could not gain enough popular support in the U.S. for joining the League. This was because of a long-standing U.S. policy of isolationism. The U.S. Senate refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles; therefore, the United States did not become a member of the League of Nations.
As a class exercise, have students examine documents of the period that support U.S. participation in the League of Nations and documents that speak out against participation. Such documents may be found at the following Web sites: First World War.Com at http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/1919.htm (address by President Wilson supporting the League and one by Henry Cabot Lodge opposing it); History Central.com, at http://www.multied.com/documents/Wilson1919.html (excerpt from (Woodrow Wilson's Address to Congress in 1919). Note: Check the reading level of the documents before using them.
After they have read the documents, have students consider the main points that support each position. Create a t-chart on the board, and list the main points as the students point them out.
Once the chart is complete, discuss answers to the following questions:
- Which argument do you feel is the most convincing?
- Which argument do you feel is the least convincing?
- Do you feel the United States made a mistake by not joining the League? (Note: Consider revisiting this question after discussion of the causes of WWII.)
- Do you see the United States as isolationist today? Is it still possible to be isolationist in today's world?
Review the list of Allies, including:
- Great Britain
- France
- Russia
- Serbia
- Belgium
Review the list of Central Powers, including:
- Germany
- Austria-Hungary
- Bulgaria
- Ottoman Empire
Discuss U.S. leadership as the war ended and the following points:
- At the end of World War I, President Woodrow Wilson prepared a peace plan that called for the formation of the League of Nations, a peace-keeping organization.
- The United States decided not to join the League of Nations.

WEB SITES

http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/timeline/
World War I

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/war/wwone/
Wars and conflict in World War I

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWW.htm
Encyclopedia of World War I

http://www.worldwar1.com/
World War I trenches on the Web

http://www.lib.byu.edu/%7Erdh/wwi/
World War I documents

http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ltg/projects/jtap/tutorials/intro/
First World War poetry

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