| Introduction
The United States entered
the twentieth century as a strong nation ready to become a world leader.
It began to look beyond its own national boundaries for new sources of
raw materials and new markets for the nation's goods. Alaska and
Hawaii were acquired, and the United States made its presence known in
the Caribbean and Pacific regions. When war exploded among the nations
in Europe, however, this country decided to stay out of the fighting.
In time the United States would determine to enter the war known as the
Great War. Begin your journey here to discover what far-reaching
effects this decision had.
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| Questions
Part I
Causes To Outcomes
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What were the causes for World
War I? Include the terms imperialism, nationalism,
militarism,
and alliance system?
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Why did European nations form
alliances in the early 1900s?
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What were the names of the two
major alliances formed in World War I? List the countries belonging
to each.
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Who was the United States' President
at this time and what was the United States' initial stand on entering
the war?
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When did the United States enter
the war and why?
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What was the outcome of the
war?
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What were the terms of the Treaty
of Versailles?
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What was the League of Nations?
Did the United States become a member?
Part II Warfare
and New Weapons
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What is trench warfare?
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What types of hardships did
soldiers face living in trenches?
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What is no man's land?
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List at least 4 new weapons
that were introduced during World War I. Give an overview of each
weapon.
Part III
Women's Contributions and Gains
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What home front jobs, traditionally
held by men, did women take over during World War I?
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Were women allowed to fight
in the war?
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What military jobs/services
were women allowed to do?
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What constitutional gain for
women did their war efforts help to bring about?
|
The
Big Question
Choosing to become involved
in World War I brought changes to the United States. The introduction
of new types of warfare, the reversal of women's roles during the war,
and the United States' return to isolationism at the end of the war were
turning points that would give new direction to the nation.
The class will be divided
into teams. With the information gathered in the Treasure Hunt
search, your group will develop a news interview to present to the class.
Team members will take on roles of eyewitnesses to, or participants in,
the happenings of the war and roles of reporters from major national magazines
who are interested in reporting the real events. Follow the steps
below to prepare your presentation.
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Step 1
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Your teacher will give each group one
of the following areas to develop for its role-play news interview.
Each group will have 5-6 members. You may adjust your characters
according to the number in your group. |
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Topic Area
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Roles To Be Included
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|
Causes to Outcomes
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A reporter, the President of the U.S.,
a U.S. Congressman, a citizen who did not want the U. S. to get involved
in the war, a citizen who felt the U.S. should get involved |
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Warfare and New Weapons
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A reporter, two soldiers from the trenches,
a pilot in the war, a soldier who drove a tank,
parent(s) of a soldier who died in the war |
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Women's Contributions and Gains
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A reporter, war nurse(s), a female
farm worker and a female factory worker on the home front, a woman
who wanted to be a fighter pilot in the war |
| Step 2 |
Use the information you have gathered
in the Treasure Hunt. As a group, make a rough draft outline of the
questions the reporter will ask and the answers that will be given.
Each character should have specific dialog to say that will give the viewers
an understanding of the war and the character's part in, or position on,
the war. |
| Step 3 |
Decide which role each member of the group
will play and begin practicing for the interview. All members should
memorize what they are to say. To make the interview more authentic,
you will want to dress for your part and/or carry appropriate props. |
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