World War I

Day 1-2 (October 8th & 14th): Before examining the beginning of the Great War, we will first discuss the consequences. Much of the rest of the twentieth century was shaped by WWI, and we will begin by discussing the legacy of this conflict from 1914-1918. Also, we will discuss how historical context, a system of alliances, and nationalism, imperialism and militarism created a powder keg that was detonated with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in 1914.

Assignment: Map of Europe in 1914 (Due October 9th)

Day 3 (October 15th):

WWI - Quiz #1 (on causes of WWI)

Instruction: WWI was one of the largest tragedies in human history. When it started in 1914, President Wilson urged Americans to be "impartial in thought as well as deed." Why did the US seek to stay out of this conflict? Why did we enter it? Together, we discussed these questions using elements of the slideshow below:

Day 4-5 (October 16th - 17th): To help visualize the conflict for Americans in WWI, we are viewing the film The Lost Battalion. This is the true story of of an American battalion that gets lost behind German lines in October of 1918, and their efforts help break the stalemate of WWI.

Day 6 (October 18): At the conclusion of the film, we discussed what happened to some of the men of the Lost Battalion, including Major Whittelsey. Also, we discussed some of the tactics and weapons used. For further information, check out the following websites:

• http://tombguard.org/column/2013/12/the-tragedy-of-heroism-charles-w-whittlesey/
• https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2014/04/world-war-i-in-photos-technology/507305/

Days 7-9 (October 21st-22nd): To further explore key elements of WWI, students should complete a "trench journal" that includes questions and answers found on the assignment below.

Assignment Due Wednesday, 10/23.

Days 10-11 (October 23rd-24th): The US Homefront during WWI. Citizens were asked by President Wilson to remain "impartial in thought as well as deed" since the onset of WWI. The president was re-elected in 1916 under the slogan "he kept us out of war." After the US declaration of war in 1917, how did the United States build an army, convert to a wartime economy, and build support for the war? Using your text pages 628-635 as a resource, put notes into the following chart.

WWII Quiz #2 on 10/24

Day 12 (October 28th): Discussion today was rooted in some elements of the multimedia clips below. Also, please read text pages 637-645 to prepare for discussion of the end of the Great War and the aftermath.

Day 13-14 (October 29th-30th): The armistice signed on November 11, 1918, signaled the end of armed conflict in the Great War. In the months that followed, the "big four" world leaders would be entrusted to build a lasting peace. Their efforts were embodied in the Treaty of Versailles. Peace would be short-lived and the decisions made in 1919 would lay the foundation for the rise of fascism and the second world war.

You should understand Wilson's objectives in his 14 points for peace proposal and how the final treaty of Versailles differed from Wilson's vision.

Days 15-16 (October 31st-November 1st): Exam review and WWI Unit Exam