WWI Portfolio Project

You will compile all of the following assignments into one location (a small binder, a folder, etc.) for a final assessment and as a study guide for future use. In every case, you may type or write answers, and you may organize this however you like. There is a checklist of items at the end of the assignments pages to help ensure you’ve included everything.

  1. Timeline of WWI

Goal: Create a timeline of World War I events, including the major events that led to the war from 1871 until the Paris Peace Conference in 1919.

  • Start with Napoleonic Wars and include a brief statement about why this helped set the stage for WWI
  • Include 1871, the unification of Germany and the Franco-Prussian War
  • Include dates of leaders changing/countries changing governments
  • Include major alliance formations
  • Include the following battles:
  • Tannenburg
  • Gallipoli Campaig
  • 1st and 2nd Battles of the Marne
  • Ludendorff Offensive
  • Any other important battle you find—just include why it’s important.
  • Use short explanations to help you remember later why each event matters to World War I

Color helps you remember things—color code maybe? Or use illustrations if that helps you

  1. Maps

Goal: Find the two maps you made of Europe: one in 1900 (before WWI) and one in 1919 (after the changes made by the Treaty of Versailles.) Make sure both maps have the following complete, as well as an attached paper with answers to the following questions.

  • Pre-War Europe (see map assignment called ‘Europe in 1914 Map Assignment”) with all appropriate items labeled
  • Post-War Europe (see map assignment in the packet “End of WWI – Versailles”)
  • Answer the following questions on a sheet of paper and attach them to your maps (include the questions)
  • Describe the changes in territory that occurred for each of these countries:
  • Germany
  • France
  • Austria-Hungary
  • Russia
  • Serbia & Montenegro
  • What can you conclude about the ethnic tensions that led to WWI and the territorial changes that happened in central/southern/eastern Europe after the war?
  • Which countries’ territories were relatively left alone after the war? Why do you think that was?
  1. Causes of WWI

Goal: Using the work you already did on the causes of WWI, you will answer these questions.

  • Find your worksheetstitled ”The Causes of World War I”and “WWI Vocab” (they should be included in your portfolio, too). Use them to answer as two separate essays (about a page in length each, not many pages)
  • What major alliances formed before 1914? For each major alliance, why was each member country involved/what did they hope to get out of the alliance? Finally, using evidence to back up your answer, did these alliances form out of fear, optimism, or some other motivation?
  • Evaluate the balance of power as it existed in 1914 when the two major alliances, the Triple Entente (Central Powers) and the Triple Alliance (the Allies) were poised for war. Was it truly balanced? Give evidence to defend why the two groups were evenly or unevenly matched.
  • Complete the page called “The Balkans and WWI.”
  1. World War I

Goal: Using the work you already did on the fighting of WWI, you will complete these tasks.

  • Complete the page called “Battles of WWI.”
  • Include in this section your work on “Weapons of WWI” and the worksheets “Early WWI” and “Eastern Front and Global Conflict”
  1. End of War—Versailles

Goal: Understand the basic provisions in the Versailles peace treaty and the circumstances of the Paris Peace Conference.

  • Find and include the worksheet “End of War – Versailles”
  • Study the outcomes of the Paris Peace Conference and answer:
  • Why did everyone blame Germany for WWI? Was this a fair outcome for the war? What about the Treaty of Versailles was good and what was bad in your opinion? Why?
  1. Political Cartoon Analysis

Goal: Analyze WWI through political cartoons and practice document analysis skills.

  • Complete the worksheet titled “Political Cartoons and Documents”
  1. Other Items to Include
  • “Women in WWI” worksheet
  • Propaganda project papers

Checklist of Items for your WWI Porfolio

Timeline of WWI (new)

Pre-War Europe Map (old)

Post-War Europe Map (old)

Map Questions (new)

“The Causes of WWI” worksheet (old)

“Vocab of WWI” worksheet (old)

Two essays answer Causes of WWI questions

“The Balkans and WWI” worksheet (new)

“Battles of WWI” worksheet (new)

“Weapons of WWI” worksheet (old)

“Early WWI” worksheet (old)

“Eastern Front and Global Conflict” worksheet (old)

“End of War—Versailles” worksheet (old)

Answer to End of War—Versailles question (see assignment sheet)

“Political Cartoons and Documents” worksheet (new)

“Women in WWI” worksheet (old)

Propaganda project papers (old)

Any other work you have saved from the quarter can be included if you think it is neatly done and may be helpful to you later. These things can be placed in whatever section makes sense to you, or in a “miscellaneous” section.