Discussion: The US and WWI
Objectives:
TSWBAT describe American neutrality
TSWBAT identify reasons for the US to enter the war
TSWBAT debate which side to enter the war on
Focus: Imagine you are France right now (i.e. this war with Iraq). Why would you enter the war?
Why would you choose to stay out? Which action do you think is best for them?
What would change their mind? Why is America going to war right now? Is it
right? Today we are going to talk about
how and why America became involved in WWI.
Lesson: What is neutrality? Why would a nation choose to be neutral? What causes a nation to go war? Neutrality—supported by most. 30% of population immigrants. Irish want to fight to help free Ireland.
Common language-so sympathy. Also, British Propaganda German brutal
killers. British Blockade North Sea
check all cargo. Germany makes war zone around Britain and uses U-Boats to attack. Self propelled torpedoes. Lusitania-128 Americans warned in
newspapers. Sink Lusitania, proved to have artillery on
it. Wilson warns Germans—who renew SUSSEX
PLEDGE— warn boats and ensure passenger safety. Wilson criticized as coward and
weak. US banks loan to Allies and trade
arms exclusively with Allies. 1916—National
Defense Act—increases size of standing Army. Re-election "he kept us out of the
war." 1917—Jan. "peace without
victory." Feb. continued U Boat
warfare. March 1 Zimmerman note. ****Discussion: should the US enter the war Why? On whose
side? What do we have to gain? Draw on comparisons to current events and our
discussion to declare war. April 2,
Asks for declaration of war.
Closure: How did the US try to stay out of the war? Why
didn’t that work? Why did the US fight WWI? Could they have
stayed out?
Transition: now that America is in the war, let’s look at
what conditions are like "over there"
Lesson: Selective Service Act—May 18,1917 age 21-30, later 18-45. 24 million registered, 2.8 mill drafted= ½ of
the 4.8 mill who served Segregation-no
blacks in marines, Kitchen duty in navy, support units in Army
Discussion: Is draft fair?
Should women be drafted too? Are
all people drafted? Who is included/ excluded?
Trench warfare
No man’s land
New technology
Machine gun
Tanks
Poison gas/mustard gas
Submarines/airplanes
Barbed wire/land mines
Pershing insists that US
are separate force, July 4, 1917—march through Paris "Lafayette, we are here!" Don’t fight till 1918
Discussion Poems and diaries: each student
reads a primary document (poem, letter, or journal) Determine who, where, and
when. Also, prepare one sentence summary about document. Get class in large circle. Explain that each
student has something to contribute because each student understands 1 thing
that no one else in the room knows.
What was the war like?
Have students share summaries, impressions…
How did technology change war?
Did images of war change from beginning to after war?
Would you have wanted to fight in WWI? Why/not?
Assignment: Write a 1 page letter/poem/journal
as though you were fighting in Europe during WWI
Closing: How did the US prepare for war? What was it
like to be a soldier? What were some of the new technologies used? Was the war
unavoidable?