Jaimee Shearn Lesson Plan Name: American Entrance into World War I Class/Subject: CI 402 Teaching Diverse Middle

e School Students Date: 1 March 2011

Devin Schaffer

Will Walsh

Student Objectives: Using primary and secondary sources, students will identify and analyze the causes for the entry of the United States of America into World War I. In whole class discussion, students will justify and/or critique Americas involvement in World War I, and forecast how it may have affected future events in the US. Content Standards:

16.B.2d (US) Identify major political events and leaders within the United States historical eras since the adoption of the Constitution, including the westward expansion, Louisiana Purchase, Civil War, and 20th century wars as well as the roles of Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. 16.B.5a (W) Analyze worldwide consequences of isolated political events, including the events triggering the Napoleonic Wars and World Wars I and II.

Materials/Resources/Technology: Computer, projector Causes for World War I handout, The Zimmerman Note placard, The Sussex Pledge placard, The Lusitania placard and photographs, Unrestricted Submarine Warfare placard, Treaties and Alliances placard http://www.history.com/videos/u-boats-sink-the-lusitania-in-1915#u-boats-sink-thelusitania-in-1915 Teachers Goals: To demonstrate to students the significance of events prior to the entrance of the USA into WWI. To make apparent the impact of Americas entrance into the war

Time 1 min Start of Class Teachers will introduce the lesson and the objectives for the day. Teachers will then emphasize the importance of the content for future reference. Introduction of Lesson Teachers will engage students in an introductory discussion about their previous knowledge on the start of World War I. Teachers will pose the following discussion questions to the class and encourage student involvement. Teachers will also promote

15 mins

critical-thinking by asking pertinent follow-up questions after students responses: -What do you know from your lessons on WW1 so far about the reasons countries decided to go to war? -What do you think the word Isolationism means? Why do you think America waited so long to get involved? (Teacher will write the word on the board and encourage students to consider the root of the word-Isolation) -What do you think are the rules of warfare? Are some things more acceptable than others? - Based on your Knowledge of World History how did World War I begin? Which countries were involved and why were they fighting? The teacher will ask students for any questions or concerns about information covered in this introduction and explain the main activity for the day. 30 mins Lesson Instruction Placards A-E will be placed at various locations around the classroom along with their supplemental materials (websites, photographs and documents). Students will be instructed to visit each placard for approx. five minutes and complete the second column of the handout by writing down three facts from each placard that they believe are important. Then, with a partner, students will discuss how the events on the placards influenced Americas decision to enter World War I. Based on this discussion as well as their previous three facts they gathered, students will complete the third column of the handout. Teacher will instruct students to sit back down in their assigned seats and then reconvene with a whole-class discussion based on the worksheet the students completed. The teachers will ask students to consider the various events and documents as well as reflect on their significance in United States entrance into World War I. The chart will be put up on the projector and the class will work together to determine how, and why each event contributed to Americas involvement in the war. Teachers will encourage students to analyze these events from their own perspectives, as well as the perspective of an American citizen in the early 20th century. 13 mins Assessment Teachers will pose the following questions to guide student discussion and to check for understanding on the topic: -What event(s) do you think is the most significant, why? -Do you think our entrance to the war is justified by these events or could/should have been avoided? -What were some of the effects of Americas involvement in WWI? Students will turn in their worksheet so teacher can check for understanding and completion-teacher will return worksheet for students to refer to in future lessons. 1 min Closure There were many different reasons for the entry of America into World War I. Despite

our initial position as isolated from the war, these major events and documents helped involve the United States in the conflict. Eventually, the United States emerged from the war as a major player on the world stage, and would have its hand in many large events to come. The entrance of the United States in WWI, like other wars, was quite controversial. While some think it is justified, others believe there was not a just cause for our involvement.

Placard A

The Zimmermann Note

The United States of America cut off diplomatic negotiations with Germany in 1916. In 1917, British code-breakers deciphered a telegram from the German Foreign Minister, named Arthur Zimmermann that was being sent to the German ambassador in Mexico. In the telegram, Zimmerman promises the restoration of historically Mexican territories in the USA back to Mexico in exchange for support. Some of these territories include Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

To the German Minister to Mexico

Berlin, January 19, 1917 On the first of February we intend to begin submarine warfare unrestricted. In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavour to keep neutral the United States of America. If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make peace. We shall give general financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement... You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war with the United States and suggest that the President of Mexico, on his own initiative, should communicate with Japan suggesting adherence at once to this plan; at the same time, offer to mediate between Germany and Japan. Please call to the attention of the President of Mexico that the employment of ruthless submarine warfare now promises to compel England to make peace in a few months. Zimmermann (Secretary of State)

Source: Source Records of the Great War, Vol. V, ed. Charles F. Horne, National Alumni 1923

Placard B

The Sussex Pledge

In this 1916 agreement, Germany agreed to disengage the policy of unrestricted submarine warfare against ships carrying civilian passengers. The Germans even agreed to allow the safe evacuation of crew members on ships carrying military supplies before attacking the ship. As the war progressed, the German navy began to determine that military success would depend on breaking supply lines to the Triple Entente. By this time, German strategists started to consider the USA as a power that was not truly neutral. American vessels had been transporting supplies to Britain for some time. In 1917, Germany announced that unrestricted submarine warfare would be resumed. Weeks later, President Woodrow Wilson announced that he had broken diplomatic relations with Germany.

Placard C

The Lusitania
The Lusitania was a British ocean liner. On 7 May 1915, a German submarine torpedoed and destroyed the vessel near the west coast of Ireland. Germans had been suspicious that the ship, coming from the USA, was carrying supplies for the British war effort. Their suspicion was justified when supplies were later found on the Lusitania. Almost 2000 passengers were on board. About half of them died as a result of the attack, including more than 120 American civilians.

http://www.history.com/videos/u-boats-sink-the-lusitania-in1915#u-boats-sink-the-lusitania-in-1915

Placard D

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Germany believed that neutral ships, including those coming from the USA, had been transporting goods and supplies to Triple Entente powers. The German military resorted to unrestricted submarine warfare, which means that the German submarines would attack any ship that was suspected of aiding members of the Triple Entente. President Wilson cut off diplomatic ties with Germany in hopes of deterring the practice of unrestricted warfare. By March of 1917, several American ships had been destroyed by German torpedoes. The US Congress declared war on Germany in April 1917.

Placard E

Treaties and Alliances

Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy formed the Triple Alliance in the late nineteenth century. Great Britain, France, and later Russia began to feel pressured by this collaboration. Together, these three states formed the Triple Entente. Although the USA did not enter the war until 1917, they had been supplying goods to the members of the Triple Entente.

Name:

Event
Unrestricted Submarine warfare

3 Facts

Effect it had on Americas involvement in WWI

Lusitania

Sussex Pledge

Zimmerman Note

Treaties and Alliances