fanfare

Storyboard: It is the year 1917, and President Woodrow Wilson is in need of your help! He is not sure whether or not he wants to send American troops over seas to fight in the war to help the Allies. President Wilson wants to know whether or not he should keep America’s policy of neutrality. This activity should give you a better understanding of World War One, the reasons for involvement, and the different aspects that are involved in decision-making.

• Throughout this Webquest, you should keep several thoughts in mind:- What was life like at the time in America before entering the war?- What was America’s foreign policy before entering the war?- How is the war going in Europe, before America entered the war?- What are some of the main arguments for America entering, or not entering the war? -Good luck, and now continue onto the task at hand!

I will put the class into five groups of four. Each group will have a technology/weaponry expert, a pathologist, a writer, and a historian. Each person must pick which expert he would like to be for the mission.

(Helpful Hint: if you like science, pick the pathologist, if you like technology, pick the technology expert, if you like English, pick the writer, and if you like history, pick the historian!)

As a group you must report on your various aspects of the war, and determine whether or not it is a good idea to enter the war in Europe. Once you have collected all of your data, it is up to you and the group to decide whether or not to send American troops to Europe.

Each individual will write a three to four page analysis on the war, and then as a group, write a two-page summary and conclusion based upon the decision the group has made. This report should be addressed to President Wilson, and signed by all of the members of the group. Now you must understand how to proceed with you mission, and the process you must follow.

To obtain your data, you must surf the web to find articles, literature, reports, first-hand accounts, etc…use the data to help formulate your decision. Certain items will contain a date, for this project, you are allowed to use information that may have been written before or after American involvement.

An example: If you would like to use Wilfred Owen’s poem, Dulce et Decorum Est, this is fine, even though it was published after the war, in 1921.) Use all the information you can find about World War One in formulating your opinion. Here are specific tasks for each individual expert in the group:

Now you will click on your specific role in the mission. After reading the task, you will then click on the arrow to go to the websites that you will infer information from.– Technology/weaponry expert– Pathologist– Writer– Historian

The technology/weaponry expert:

Your task involves learning about and understanding the different types of technology and weaponry that was used throughout the war. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind:

Technology/weaponry expert

1. What new technology, and weapons are being used in this war that makes World War One unique compared to previous fought wars?

2. Can America fight such a war that involves such new technology?

3. If America would enter the war, what contributions could it make in regards to new technology and weaponry?

Technology/weaponry expert Websites

• The World War I Document Archive• Spartacus School net Encyclopedia of the First W

orld War• Eyewitness to History• PBS The Great War• The War Time Journal• Revision-notes

Now you will click on your specific role in the mission. After reading the task, you will then click on the arrow to go to the websites that you will infer information from.– Technology/weaponry expert– Pathologist– Writer– Historian

Pathologist

Your task involves learning about the different diseases that were prevalent during the war. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind:

1. What were the different types of diseases that were prevalent during the war?

2. How many people died due to disease compared to how many died due to combat?

3. Are the risks of getting these diseases enough to keep America out of the war?

4. Are there any ways of reducing the risks of getting certain diseases that we could implement if we were to enter the war?

• The World War I Document Archive• Spartacus School net Encyclopedia of the Fi

rst World War• Eyewitness to History• PBS The Great War• The War Time Journal• Health A to Z

• Click on the link below to see an example graph that you will need to create based on data you collected on diseases.

• Graph example

Now you will click on your specific role in the mission. After reading the task, you will then click on the arrow to go to the websites that you will infer information from.– Technology/weaponry expert– Pathologist– Writer– Historian

The Writer

Your task involves acquiring different pieces of literature that was written during the war to help formulate your opinion as to whether or not to enter the war. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind:

The Writer

1. Use as many different kinds of resources possible, including memoirs, first-hand accounts, books, essays, poems, etc… all can be useful in your analysis.

2. What do the different pieces of literature tell us about what it was like to fight, and, or live through such a war?

3. Based on these different pieces of literature, what are your suggestions to President Wilson going to be?

Writer Websites

• The World War I Document Archive• Spartacus School net Encyclopedia of the First W

orld War• Introduction to First World War poetry • PBS The Great War• The War Time Journal• Modern History Sourcebook: WWI poetry• European History Poetry, Literature, Song• First World War

Now you will click on your specific role in the mission. After reading the task, you will then click on the arrow to go to the websites that you will infer information from.– Technology/weaponry expert– Pathologist– Writer– Historian

The Historian

Your task involves an understanding of the events that have occurred in the war, before American involvement. Research different events, and battles to help formulate your opinion as to whether or not America should join the war effort. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind:

The Historian

1. What was American opinion at the time about staying neutral?

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages in America staying neutral?

3. What do different historians say about America’s involvement in the war?

4. Is there enough evidence to suggest that if America does join the war, will the Allies win the war?

Historian Websites

• The World War I Document Archive• Spartacus School net Encyclopedia of the Fi

rst World War• Eyewitness to History• PBS The Great War• The War Time Journal

Now you will click on your specific role in the mission. After reading the task, you will then click on the arrow to go to the websites that you will infer information from.– Technology/weaponry expert– Pathologist– Writer– Historian

• Click on the link below to see the rubrics I will be using to assess your webquest

• Rubric World War 1

• Click on the link below to view a video about World War I, from United Streaming

• This video will help you to formulate your thesis statement, and your argument

• World War I video

• Click on the link below to see the objectives and standards for this lesson

• World War I lesson plan

• The three worksheets that need to be completed for this activity are located at the site below, just click on it!

• World War I worksheets