“World War I” Internet-Based Discovery Activity
Purpose of the Activity:
The purpose of this activity is simple: I want you to become more familiar with the content of this unit, and to do so by going beyond what is provided to you in your textbook and note packets. My hope is that you will not only learn some new things that will help you to solidify your understanding of the fundamental concepts of the time periods associated with World War I, but will, as well, enhance your ability and understanding regarding how to use the Internet on your own to “dig deeper” into topics about which you will be learning. There is so much more to what we learn in class than what is provided to you in our books and my lectures. It’s now time to go and experience it!
The Task:
Access as many of the following websites as you can and in any order that you would like. In some cases you will need to record information, while, for others, all you need to do is search through and enjoy the material. Be ready to discuss at a later time what you experience during today’s activity.
Accessing the Sites:
1. I have all of the links posted in this document.
2. You do not need to type them. All you must do is right click on them and select “open
hyperlink”, or at least use that page to cut-and-paste the links into the address bar.
3. I highly suggest you read through all of the sites (and their descriptions) that are on the next few
pages before you go to any of them. Doing so will help you to more easily select the sites that are
of the most interest to you.
The Sites
Site #1: www.history.com
A. This is the History Channel’s website. I have chosen specific links from it that are about World War I. They are definitely
worth a look!
Note: Skip the advertisements in the video section by scrolling down a little and clicking the
first small video image. This should start the video almost immediately.
1) http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i
Provides a brief history of World War I, as well as access to many excellent videos.
2) http://www.history.com/photos/world-war-i-trench-warfare
This link will not only provide you with information about trench warfare, but it also provides
you with easy access to videos and audio clips about:
- German U-boat attacks - sinking of the Lusitania
- Battle of the Somme - Causes of WWI
- Treaty of Versailles
3) http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/world-war-i-ends
A video clip about the last day of the war, which became known as Armistice Day. Wait for the advertisement to
finish.
Site #2: www.pbs.org/greatwar/
A. This is an outstanding site that provides access to a variety of resources, which can be accessed by
clicking the boxes at the bottom of the page.
1. Be sure to notice the very helpful links that are shown below the boxes. They are entitled:
- “War Index”
- “Glossary”.
Site #3: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWW.htm
A. This is an outstanding site that has World War I-related topics listed in a very organized fashion. The site is not “flashy”,
but it does have great information.
1. The site’s index is split into two parts. You will need to scroll down a little to see the second part.
a. The first part of the index begins with the topic “Chronology”.
b. The second part of the index begins with the topic “War at Sea”.
Site #4: http://www.firstworldwar.com/
A. This is another outstanding, highly-organized website.
1. Various tabs at the top, as well as links on the side, will help you to access information that interests you.
2. You might find the “Audio and Video” links to be interesting.
Site #5: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/
A. This is another outstanding, highly-organized website.
1. Hint: Click the “expand all” tab that is shown in the middle of the main page (beneath the blue box). This will show
you all of the content that is available. This will make it a lot easier to find what you want to learn about.
Site #6: http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/w1frm.htm
A. This is a website that is full of primary sources that were written/recorded by people who actually lived through World War I.
Site #7:
http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/americans_rec05/book_home.htm?state=PA
A. This is the link to your textbook’s website for review materials (not the online textbook itself). It is absolutely worth a look!
1. Click on any of the review exercises (i.e. flip cards, chapter quizzes, crossword puzzles) and then select the chapters
that we will be studying. They are as follows:
Chapter 11: “The First World War”.
Site #8: http://www.historyteacher.net/USQuizMainPage.htm
A. This is the excellent website that has several review quizzes.
1. Scroll down to “Topic 26”
2. The American flag-colored “hearts” on the left that give you access to multiple-choice quizzes.
3. The American flag-colored “heart” on the right gives you access to a fact-recall quiz.
Site #9: http://www.ehow.com/info_10000962_nine-methods-propaganda.html
REQUIRED!
This website discusses 9 methods of propaganda. You are required to view this page as there will be a district assessment
that will require you to cite this information when it comes to interpreting specific examples of wartime propaganda.
World War I Internet-Based Discovery Activity
You will be scored for this assignment using the following rubric. Each category is worth 4 points for a total of 8 points. This score will then be multiplied by 2 for a grand total of 16 possible points. This will count as a
16 point quiz grade.
Assignment Rubric
4 / 3 / 2 / 1Interpretation / Answers are mostly correct and demonstrate excellent comprehension. / Answers are often correct and demonstrate good comprehension. / Answers are occasionally correct and demonstrate an incomplete comprehension of the topic. / Answers do not reflect accurate comprehension of the topic(s).
Detail / Answers are mostly complete, extensive, and include many details. / Answers are usually complete and include several details. / Answers contain some details. / Answers lack the required detail or are incomplete.
Total Score = ______/16 points
Please complete the following assignment while you visit the World War I-related websites during our web-based activity.
1. Complete the following graphic organizer for the concept of the “World War I”
(make that the “Title of Event”).
2. Analyze the following topics/actions/events associated with World War I. Were
they based upon “realism”, “idealism”, or “both”. Then explain how or why it is
based upon “idealism”, “realism”, or “both”.
Topic/Action/Event / Realism or Idealism or Both? / Explanation of Realism or IdealismEXAMPLE:
The Sussex Pledge
(U.S. demanding it be signed) / Realism?
Idealism?
Both? / Idealism – The U.S. believed Germany was doing something wrong/immoral by not honoring the rights of neutral nations (freedom/liberty of the seas)
Realism – This pledge would protect America from German attack (which would be in its best interest).
U.S. Neutrality
(at the start of the war) / Realism?
Idealism?
Both?
The Fourteen Points / Realism?
Idealism?
Both?
Senate Rejection of the Treaty of Versailles / Realism?
Idealism?
Both?
3. Propaganda Analysis:
A. Identify the 9 methods of propaganda:
______
______
______
______
______
B. The following posters appeared during the First World War in the United States of America.
What did the government hope to accomplish by producing and distributing the posters? Pick ONE poster to analyze.
Pick ONE from below:
Poster Used: Objective: ______
Explain how 2 tools are used in the chosen poster: ______
Poster A Poster B Poster C
4. World War I Similes
Descriptions of Similes:
A simile compares two things by saying one is “like” or “as” the other.
(Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Metaphor).
Another description:
“A simile is a metaphor that compares two things that aren't actually similar by using ‘like,’ "’as,’ or ‘than.’ For example, ‘He runs like the wind’ or ‘The bodybuilder is as big as a house’ are similes.”
(Source: http://how-to.ask.com/write/how_to_write_a_simile)
For example, here is one relating to the U.S. and Cuba during our study of imperialism:
From the perspective of the U.S., intervention in Cuba was like a parent caring for a helpless child because . . . (Source: www.teachtci.com)
Create similes about the following concepts/topics.
The U.S. getting involved in World War I was like ______
because______
______
______
______.
The effect of World War I was like ______
because______
______
______
______.
5. Trench Warfare
A) Causes of Trench Warfare (why did it start?):
______
______
B) Effects of Trench Warfare:
______
______
C) Draw a scene from trench warfare.
D) Write a journal entry from the perspective of someone who just survived their first experience with trench
warfare.
______
______
______
______
______
______
6. Causes of U.S. Involvement: Identify and explain the argument for involvement that
someone would have given in response to the following events.
Event / Argument for InvolvementSinking of Lusitania
Zimmermann Note/Telegraph
Democratic Revolution in Russia
7. Chronology: Place the following events in the correct chronological order:
Selective Service Act enacted ______
Communist revolution in Russia ______
Battle of the Argonne Forest ______
Zimmermann Telegraph intercepted ______
Treaty of Versailles signed ______
Democratic revolution in Russia ______
Battle of the Somme ______
Lusitania sunk ______
Fourteen Points suggested ______
Sussex sunk ______
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand ______
Armistice is signed ______