Download World War I - Time4Learning

World War I
Causes of World War I:
Reasons for United States Involvement: Learning Activity #7117
INTRODUCTION
World War I, or the Great War, divided the world. Many countries were involved
in the fighting, but the United States continued to practice a policy of neutrality.
Do you think someone would violate the United States’ neutrality policy? Would
there be a reason for the United States to join the war? If so, would they be an
Allied power or a Central Power?
ASSIGNMENTS
Answer the following questions.
1. Describe the sinking of the Lusitania and the events surrounding it.
The Lusitania was a British luxury liner that was carrying passengers
and weapons to Great Britain. While the ship was crossing neutral
waters, on May 7, 1915, a German submarine hit the Lusitania with a
torpedo, killing everyone onboard, including 128 Americans.
Originally, President Wilson said that he would hold Germany
accountable if anything happened to Americans.
President Wilson demanded three things from Germany: 1) an
apology 2) money for damages 3) an agreement that Germany would
not use submarines again. Germany only agreed to the first two.
2. Use your historical imagination to write a speech about submarine warfare.
You may take either side: a German defending the use of U-boats or the
United States government defending neutral waters.
Answers will vary, but should demonstrate an understanding that the
United States were opposed to submarine warfare because innocent
people were being killed. In addition, it violated the United States
policy of neutrality. On the other side, Germany was trying to defend
their country, and they adequately warned Americans not to travel in
the war zone. Submarine warfare was Germany’s only way to cut off
supplies to the Allied forces.
World War I
14
© 2002 CompassLearning Odyssey™
3. What was the Sussex Pledge and why was it created?
The Sussex pledge was a promise not to “sink merchant ships
without warning and without saving human lives.” It was created
because Germany would not end submarine warfare.
4. Draw a cartoon depicting the events surrounding the Zimmerman Note.
Cartoons should depict someone reading a “note” and then passing
the information onto the United States.
World War I
15
© 2002 CompassLearning Odyssey™
5. In 1916, the United States started to prepare for a war between other
nations. What were some of the things they did before declaring war?
In June of 1916, Congress passed the National Defense Act, which
helped double the size of the military. The number of soldiers
increased from 90,000 to about 175,000. The National Guard had
450,000 troops. Congress passed another bill a few months later
that appropriated 313 million dollars to build up the navy.
6. President Wilson was called “a weakling” by many Americans. Explain
whether you disagree or agree with that statement.
Answers will vary, but should demonstrate an understanding that
some Americans viewed him as a weakling because he was not
going to war with Germany, but he was preparing the United States
for war. On the other hand, he was not considered a weakling
because he was issuing ultimatums to Germany regarding
submarine warfare.
7. Describe the changes that happened to Russia during World War I.
- In 1917, there was a bread riot and the czar was forced to give up
power.
- A provisional government was set up to ensure democracy.
- The United States entered the war.
- Russia pulled out of the war when the Bolsheviks, under the rule of
V.I. Lenin, seized power from the Provisional Government.
- Russia became a communist society.
- Lenin asked Germany for peace and they signed the Treaty of
Brest-Litovsk.
8. What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, and how did it affect the Allied
forces?
In 1918, Russia and Germany signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
This gave large amounts of Russian land to Germany in return for
peace. As a result, Germany controlled coalmines and other
resources in Russia, along with Russian land. Most importantly, the
treaty allowed Germany to move its armies from the Eastern front to
the Western front. They used all their troops on the Western front to
attack the Allied forces near Amiens, France.
World War I
16
© 2002 CompassLearning Odyssey™
9. Why did the United States become an Allied force?
One reason is that they spoke the same language. In England, the
common language, English, helped gain them sympathy from
American citizens. In addition, France and England had similar
democratic governments as the United States. Americans also sided
with the French because of their aid during the Revolutionary War.
Finally, United States bankers continued to loan money to Allied
countries and if they lost the war, the loans might not be repaid.
World War I
17
© 2002 CompassLearning Odyssey™
10. YOU DECIDE
There were many reasons why the United States entered World War I.
What were some of the reasons that caused them to enter into the war?
Do you think they should have? Do you think the outcome would have
been different without the United States in the war?
Write a five-paragraph essay explaining why you believe or do not believe
the United States should have entered the war.
Paragraph One: In this paragraph, you should describe the situation with
the United States, and state your position.
Paragraph Two: In this paragraph, list one reason, with supporting details,
defending your position.
Paragraph Three: In this paragraph, list another reason, with supporting
details, defending your position.
Paragraph Four: In this paragraph, list another reason, with supporting
details, defending your position.
Paragraph Five: In this paragraph, you should restate your position and
summarize the reasons for your position. Do not forget your closing
sentence.
RUBRIC
4
Essay is complete and includes three reasons that support your position.
Reasons for supporting your position are clearly stated and convincing.
Correct grammar and spelling are used in essay.
3
Essay is complete and includes three reasons that support your position.
Reasons for supporting your position are clearly stated and convincing.
Mostly correct grammar and spelling are used in the essay.
2
Essay is complete and includes three reasons that support your position.
Reasons for supporting your position are clearly stated and convincing.
Poor grammar and spelling are used in the essay.
1
Essay is incomplete and three reasons that support your position are not stated.
Reasons for supporting your position are unclear.
Poor grammar and spelling are used in the essay.
World War I
18
© 2002 CompassLearning Odyssey™