Session 1: Explosion on the USS Maine and the Spanish American War

Session 4: Causes of World War I and Reasons for United States Entry into the War

Prerequisite Understanding/Knowledge Skills

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  Students are expected to understand how America grew toward a world power.
  
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  Students are expected to be able to identify key events in U.S. foreign policy from 1895 to 1914.
  

Materials

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  Attachment C: Causes of World War I
  
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  Attachment D: Reasons for Entry of the United States into World War I
  
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  Video of the film All Quiet on the Western Front
  

Instructional Activities

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  militarism: The idea that a nation should build up its military forces and use them to achieve the nation’s goals
  
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  nationalism: Strong feeling of pride in and loyalty toward one’s country; the belief that the independence and interests of one’s country should come first; the reluctance to work with other nations toward a common goal
  
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  alliance: An agreement by two or more nations to act together, especially in time of war
  

3. Have students use the graphic organizer at Attachment C to take notes on the causes of World War I, either during a guided textbook-reading exercise or during a class lecture.

4. Once students have filled in their graphic organizer and answered the questions, use technology to project a blank organizer, and solicit student responses to fill it in. Have students add to and/or correct their organizers, as needed. Students will have gathered a variety of facts, but the important facts in some form should be included in each student’s organizer. An “answer key” for the organizer is shown below:

CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I
Long-Term Causes			Short-Term Causes
Nationalism	Militarism	Alliances	Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, certain European ethnic groups were devoted to the interests of their own nations (e.g., Germany, Italy). Competition for colonies increased among European countries. Many ethnic minorities desired independence (e.g., Czechs, Slovaks, Poles, Croats, Serbs).	In order to protect colonies, European nations increased their military strength. For example, Britain and Germany built large navies, and Germany and Russia increased the size of their armies.	As nations increased the size of their military, they formed alliances such as the following to protect themselves: Triple Alliance (Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy) Triple Entente (France, Great Britain, and Russia)	Archduke of Austria was assassinated by a Serbian terrorist group, the Black Hand, on June 28, 1914. Serbs thought that they might come under control of Austria-Hungary. Austria-Hungary sent demands to the Serbian government. Serbia rejected the demands. With the help of Germany, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Germany declared war on Russia (ally of Serbia), and Great Britain declared war on Germany.

Major Allied Powers: British Empire, France, Russia, Serbia, Belgium, The United States

Central Powers: German Empire, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire

Specific Options for Differentiating This Session

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  Have students watch and discuss video clips on causes of World War I.
  
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  Have students modify text of key information within digital materials by changing text size, spacing, color, or background.
  
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  Have students use alternate keyboards to help complete their activities.
  
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  Have students use word processing with spell checker to help complete their activities.
  
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  Have students listen to audio books (e.g., All Quiet on the Western Front) to supplement their research.
  

Multisensory

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  Have students use highlighters or highlighter tape to help focus on key facts within supplied information.
  
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  Have students write poems, using primary sources that describe life as a soldier in the trenches during World War I.
  
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  Have groups illustrate different causes of World War I.
  
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  Have students color-code a map of Europe according to sequence of events given by teacher.
  
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  Have students color-code a map that identifies the Allied Powers, Central Powers, and neutral nations during World War I.
  

Community Connections

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  Invite a speaker from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to discuss aspects of World War I.
  

Small Group Learning

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  Have groups create questions for and participate in a class quiz game that focuses on World War I.
  
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  Have groups create individual pieces (i.e., Allied Powers, Central Powers, and neutral nations) for a World War I map puzzle and put it together.
  
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  Have students create a mind map on the reasons why the U.S. entered World War I.
  
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  Have small groups complete one column each for Attachments C and D, and share information.
  

Vocabulary

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  Have students use the following key vocabulary as they complete their activities: neutrality (neutral), global superpower, submarine warfare, Lusitania, Zimmerman Telegram, Allied Powers, allies, alliance, empire, militarism, nationalism, trenches, front, isolationism, assassination, minorities, strategies, U-boat, international law, slogan, ethnic groups, ethnic minorities, colonies, imperialism, Archduke.
  
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  Have students design and complete a crossword puzzle, using the vocabulary terms.
  
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  Have students create words-on-a-ring that students can carry with them to routinely review the terms.
  
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  Have students review vocabulary by using flash cards with a term and definition written on one side of the card and an illustration on the other. Students may design the cards.
  
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  Have students play hangman, using vocabulary terms.
  

Student Organization of Content

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  Have students align notes to content by using a slot outline technique (scaffolding).
  
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  Have students use file folders, appropriately labeled, to help organize research and materials.
  
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  Have students regularly review a checklist to help them identify completion of tasks.
  
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  Have students add significant event details to specific dates along a timeline.
  
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  Have students use a cause-and-effect diagram to help organize their thoughts.