Major Concept:
World War I
1914-1918
A variety of powerful forces – including growing nationalism, a tangle of alliances, and decades of rivalry and competition – created conditions that transformed a single assassination into a worldwide war. After years of unprecedented bloodshed and political upheaval, the warring nations finally reached an uneasy peace.
  • The Great War Begins
  • A New Kind of War
  • Revolution in Russia
  • The War Ends
/ World II Learning Standards:
WHII.17 Describe the relative importance of economic and imperial competition, Balkan nationalism, German militarism and aggression, and the power vacuum in Europe due to the declining power of the Russian, Austrian, and Ottoman Empires in causing World War I. (H, E)
WHII.18 Summarize the major events and consequences of WorldWarI. (H, E)
A. physical and economic destruction
B. the League of Nations and attempts at disarmament
C. the collapse of the Romanov dynasty and the subsequent Bolshevik Revolution and Civil War in Russia
D. post-war economic and political instability in Germany
E. the Armenian genocide in Turkey
F. the unprecedented loss of life from prolonged trench warfare
WHII.19 Identify the major developments in the Middle East before World War II. (H, E)
A. the end of the Ottoman Empire
B. the Balfour Declaration of 1917
Pacing Guide: January 26-February 10 (12 Days)
Key Questions:
What helped fuel nationalistic rivalries among countries of Europe?
What makes a war a “World War”?
Why do you think Bosnia and Serbia continue to be a troubled area in the Balkans to the present day?
Do defensive alliances like those of World War I still exist today?
What American allies have joined the U.S in the Iraqi War? What allies have refused and why?
What might be the risks of refusing to help an ally?
How do you think technology impacts the way a war is fought and why?
How has the role of women in the military changed since WWI?
How is propaganda used by governments today?
What influences your opinion on what products or services to purchase? / Skills and Outcomes: When students have finished studying this topic, they will know and be able to:
Complete Linking Activity on What Do you Know About WWI.
Write a paragraph about WWI using at least ten words from your chart.
Interpreting Maps: Analyze the map on page 380
  • Identify the central and allied powers in 1914. Determine who had the most troops in place, and who had the fewest.
  • Predict: Given the alliances and the size of the armed forces in Europe in 1914, what might happen if conflict broke out? Explain your prediction using historical evidence.
Preview Section 1: The Great War Begins using the PIC method.
Read and Take Notes on the Inside Story: “A Murder in Bosnia” on page 381.
  • Explain the political climate in Sarajevo
  • Evaluate the significance of the date of the assassination
  • Predict how the assassination of one man could effect all of Europe
Read and take notes on Europe on the Brink of War, using a webGO.
  • Identify the four factors that led to the brink of war
  • Analyze how each of these factors led to tension amongst nations
In a paragraphSummarize the reasons for tension between major European Nations
Read and take notes on War Breaks Out using the two column notes method.
  • Sequencing: Using the attached sequence chain, “The Road to War” put events in the order in which they happened, starting with the assassination of Franz Ferdinand and ending with the declaration of war. *get full completed chart from Judi Allen*
  • Summarizing: How was this chain of events an example of each of the four factors leading to war?
Complete the “Life in the Trenches” World War I Simulation at the following website
Life in the Trenches

The_Great_War_Course.htm
Preview Section 2: A New Kind of War using the PIC method.
Analyzing Visuals Look at the picture on page 385, using the I see / It means method
  • Identify what you see in the picture
  • Explain the significance of what you have observed
  • Making inferences: What do you think this picture tells you about the way war was fought in World War I
Read and take notes on The World War I Battlefield using the two column notes method.
  • Identify the new weapons and tactics used in the war
  • Analyze why countries felt the need to use these new types of weapons
Take a Position: In paragraph form, explain whether or not the new weapons and tactics were worth the high price in human lives
Read and take notes on War on the Home Front using a web diagram.
  • Identify the actions of women and government
  • Analyze why women and governments performed these actions
  • Summarize the role of women and governments at home while the war was being fought.
  • How did the concept of total war affect the warring nations’ economies?
Read and take notes on Battles on the Western Front and War Around the World, using the attached three column graphic organizer.
  • Identify the major battles and events.
  • Describe the effects of each battle or event
/ Formative/Summative Assessments: Students will complete the following products/other assessments to demonstrate the skills and understandings they have acquired.
  • Write a Headline and News story on the Death of Arch Duke Ferdinand.
  • Provide textual evidence in your story
  • Research may be needed to complete the 5 W’s
  • Expository Writing: The Causes of War
  • Provide a multi-paragraph essay in which you explain the four major causes of WWI.
  • Use textual evidence to support your work.
  • Descriptive Writing: You Are There
  • Complete descriptive essay that accompanies the Life in the TrenchesActivity
  • *The assignment is located in Mrs. Allen’s folder in the P: (projects) drive*(Look in public folder).
  • *GH NOTE This assignment will have to be updated to for our text
How Propaganda Fuels a War:Central Powers Propaganda Poster
Complete research using the online resourceslink:Propaganda Poster
  1. Examine thepropaganda posters used in World War I by warring nations in the link.
  2. Identify the various types of propaganda posters that were used during the war.
  • Create a propaganda poster for or against the Central Powers.
  1. Identify the point of view of your poster clearly.
  2. Connect the type of propaganda that would best suit your point of view.
  3. Infer that your point of view is the correct one through the use of emotionally powerful images, symbols, and text that were gained through the use of historical evidence.
  • Reflective Writing: Each student must also write a reflection about how propaganda was used to influence public opinion.
  • Expository Writing: Answer the following question in a well thought out paragraph:By the end of 1915, who do you think was winning the war? Be sure to support your point of view by providing historical evidence.

How does the Russia of today compare with theRussia prior to World War I?
Do you think the US would support the Russian Revolution or not?
Where is Lenin’s influence still seen in the world today?
Where is Lenin’s influence still seen in the world today? / Preview Section 3: Revolution in Russia using the PIC method.
Read and take notes on Russia in World War I using a four column graphic organizer *See Attached*
  • Identify the problems in Russia prior to WWI, and during WWI
  • Evaluate the effect of these problems on the Russian people
  • Predict what you think will happen to Russia as a result of these events?
Summarize in your own words the Inside Story: “The Madman Behind the Throne,” on page 391.
  • Explain: How could an illiterate peasant control the Russian Empire?
  • Identifying Bias Do you think Rasputin was responsible for the downfall of the Russian government? Explainin paragraph form using historical evidence.
Read and take notes on The Russian Revolution using a two column double bubble.
  • Identify the major leaders and ideas that drove the Russian Revolution.
  • Compare and Contrast the governments of Kerensky and Lenin using a DoubleBubble graphic organizer.
Analyze Quotes:History’s Voices: “Decree on Land” by Lenin on page 394
  • Summarize the quote in your own words
  • Evaluate Lenin’s point of view on ownership of land.
Analyze the primary source, “Lenin’s Call to Power,” on page 395 using the two- column APPARTS method.
  • Critical Thinking Why do you think Lenin used such harsh wording? Do you think it was effective? Explain why or why not using historical evidence.
Read and take notes on After the Revolution using the two column notes method.
  • Identify how the Russian Revolution changed Russia’s role in World War I?
  • Analyze why the Red Army was victorious over the White Army?
  • Summarize What factors led to the creation of the Soviet Union?
  • Predict How do you think those factors will contribute to world events in the coming years?
/ .
  • Analytical Writing:Do you think the domestic conditions of Russia were a result of its involvement in World War I or the existing conditions of the country at the time?
  • Evaluate the evidence found in your four column graphic organizer.
  • Write a Persuasive Paragraph to support your position using textual evidence.
  • Making Inferences: Through the Eyes of Lenin
  • In an expository paragraphexplain what Lenin would think about the political and economic policies of the United States today.
  • Use your knowledge of history and textual evidence provided in this chapter to support your answer.
  • Making Inferences: Write Like Lenin
  • Reflect on the quote provided on page 394
  • Identifying perspective Add an additional paragraph to Lenin’s “Decree on Land” in which you elaborate on the property that will be taken away from the people and given to the state.
  • Write a persuasive paragraph to convince the people that the taking of property was for the good of the state.
  • Take a position: Write a letter as a peasant in Russia, in which you either support or oppose Lenin’s seizure of all property by the government.
  • Explain the reasons for your opinion based on historical fact.

How did WWI impact theU.S. role in world politics?
How do you think perception of the UShas changed since WWI?
How are global politics affected when allies disagree?
How does one measure the cost of war? / Preview Section 4: The War Ends using the PIC method.
Read and take notes on The United States Enters the War using the two column notes method.
  • Identify the major causes for US entry into WWI
  • Analyze the effect of these causes on the people of the United States
  • Summarizing Could the U.S. have avoided entry into WWI, if one of the major causes had not happened? If so, explain which cause and how, using historical evidence. If not, support your theory using historical evidence.
  • Identifying Perspective Who do you think was in the wrong in the Lusitania affair, the Germans, or the Americans and British who had been using passenger ships to transport war supplies?
Analyzing Visuals Look at the political cartoon on page 398, using the I see / It means method
  • Identify what you see in the picture
  • Explain the significance of what you have observed
  • Identifying Bias Do you think this cartoon was created by someone who supported or opposed US entry into World War I? Support using historical evidence.
Read and take notes on The End of the Fighting using a two column Cause and Effect chart.
  • Identify the causes and effects of the US entry into the war on the Germans, and on the allies.
  • Analyze how US entry played a role in helping to demoralize the Germans
Read and take notes on Differing Allied Goals on page 399 using a web diagram.
  • Identify on each of the branches of the web one of the four major allied countries:
  • United States
  • France
  • Great Britain
  • Italy
  • Explain what each country hoped to get from a peace agreement.
  • Predict which country would gain the most from a peace agreement, supporting with historical evidence
  • Predict which country SHOULD gain the most from a peace agreement, based upon the suffering of its people.
Read and take notes on The Treaty of Versailles on page 399 using a Strengths/Weaknesses chart.
  • Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the treaty
  • Analyze each strength and weakness, but explaining why it is a strength or weakness
  • Summarize Do you think the strengths outweigh the weaknesses to make the Treaty of Versailles an effective peace agreement? Support your answer using historical evidence.
Interpreting Maps Analyze the maps on page 400, of Europe and the Middle east before and after World War I.
  • Identify the new nations and mandates created after World War I
  • AnalyzeWho was more affected by the changes in national boundaries, the Allies or Central Powers? Explain using historical evidence.
  • Predict: How do you think the redrawing of the map of Europe and the Middle East will affect the course of history after World War I?
Read and take notes on The Costs of War using a web diagram.
  • Identify the effects of the war in the following three categories:
  • Human Costs
  • Economic Costs
  • Political Change
  • Summarize How did the costs of World War I help countries outside of Europe develop into stronger nations? Is this a positive or negative effect? Explain using historical evidence.
/
  • You are there: You are the commander of the German U-boat that sank the Lusitania. Write anexpositoryaccount to the German naval commanders explaining your reason for sinking the ship.
  1. Identify the reasons that Germans used for justifying the sinking of civilian ships
  2. Analyze the events of the sinking of the Lusitania from a German perspective.
  3. Persuade the German leaders that it was in their national interest to sink the Lusitania, despite the fact that it will probably bring the United States closer to entering the war on the side of the Allies.
  • Analytical Writing: Why Germany Failed
  • Explain the economic, military, and political reasons for the German defeat in World War I.
  • Provide historical evidence to support your reasoning.
Online Research Activity: A study into the effects of the Treaty of Versailles on the German people.
This project allows students to research the strengths and weaknesses of the Treaty of Versailles based on the nationalistic views of many nations. Through the use of multi-layers of research students will have theopportunityto take a position on an alternative to the Treaty of Versailles.
  1. Students will research the Treaty of Versailles using the online resources: Treaty of Versailles
  2. Students should add to their completed strengths/weaknesses chart by focusing on the following links
  3. Peace Treaty of Versailles
  4. Versailles and Peacemaking
  5. Research the German response to Versailles, by clicking on the link: Germany and Versailles
  6. Analyze the document: “A German View of the Treaty of Versailles” using an APPARTS chart
  7. Make a list of the complaints that the German people had about the Treaty of Versailles
  8. Use specific examples, including text and visuals
Write aneditorial in which you warn the Allies of the dangers that exist from making a treaty which is unfair to the German people. (Based on the online activity)
  1. Propose some alternative terms for a treaty that would be fairer to the Germans and bring about a true and lasting peace.
  2. Use evidence based on your research to support your position.
Quizzes and Topic Tests
Required Assessment(s)
Suggested assignments

1