US History II: World War I
Enduring Understandings
1. Identity is how we define ourselves and “others”. Identity that results in strong ethnocentrism and
nationalism can lead to war.
2. Nationalistic countries that develop modern weapons and large military forces to influence other
countries, and to protect international markets and business interests can create hostilities that lead to war.
3. War is expensive and strains a country’s resources; therefore, industrial development, wealth of
resources, and technology are important factors in winning wars.
Essential Questions:
1. Under what circumstances, if ever, should countries go to war?
2. Should civil liberties ever be diminished during wartime?
US History II: Unit Questions—World War I
Long Term Causes of WWI: Use text pp. 554-556
1. What is nationalism? Why do people sometimes develop hostility to others with different ethnicities/nationalities?
2. Explain why industrialization results in imperialism.
3. What is militarism? Which countries had the biggest military build-up? Be specific.
4. What do militarism and nationalism have to do with the idea of identity?
5. Which 5 countries were the most important members of the Allies? Which 3 countries were the most important members of the
Central Powers? Why was the alliance system so dangerous, and likely to result in war?
6. Explain the interests of the following countries in the Balkan Peninsula: Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary. Who was Archduke
Franz Ferdinand?
7. Explain why WWI started, and why it involved so many countries.
The Fighting During WWI: Use text pp. 556-558, p. 559, pp. 566-568
8. When did the fighting begin? In which country was the Western Front? Who did the Central Powers fight on the Eastern Front?
9. What is trench warfare? What is no man’s land? Describe the trenches and life in the trenches. What was the problem with lice,
rats and dysentery? How was sleep? What was shell shock? What was trench foot? What is the main fighting technique of trench
warfare? Why does it tend to be so bloody? Give some examples/statistics. Which organization played a huge part in giving medical
care to the soldiers?
10. How did industrialization and technology change the way wars were fought?
11. Describe developments in the following categories AND THE DEVASTATING RESULTS:
A. Heavy Artillery and Shells (What was “Big Bertha”?) B. Grenades C. Machine Guns D. Chemicals
E. Mechanized Vehicles (Give examples.) F. Air Power (Give examples.) G. Sea Power
12. Which enduring understanding(s) are most applicable to this section of questions?
America Enters the War: Use text pp. 558-561
13. In the early stages of the war, many Americans were opposed to getting involved. What criticism did American Socialists make
about WWI? What did pacifists believe should be the international role of America? What did pacifist senator George Norris say
against entering the war?
14. Explain how America had more economic ties to France and Britain than it had with Germany. Why did trade become even more
intense between the Americans and the Allies after the war began?
15. Explain the results of the British naval blockade on the German food supply. What was the German Navy’s answer to the British
naval blockade?
16. How did German u-boats draw America into World War I? What month and year did America enter the war?
17. Read Wilson’s “Personal Voice” on p. 561. How does the concept of identity appear in the reading? How about the importance of
trade? Make a connection between trade and American Identity.
18. Which enduring understanding(s) are most applicable to this section of questions? Which essential question is most
applicable? Explain why they are applicable.
The American War Effort—People and Business: Use text pp. 562-566, pp. 569-574
19. Explain how the Selective Service Act worked. What was the nickname given to American soldiers during WWI? How did
women contribute to the WWI military effort? Who was Alvin York? What is a conscientious objector? Explain the identity conflict
that a conscientious objector like Alvin York goes through.
20. What was Secretary of War, Newton Baker’s quote about the nature of war? What does the quote mean? What was the job of the
War Industries Board (WIB)? Describe 5 ways the WIB changed everyday life for Americans.
21. How was the war effort paid for? How did the government use the concepts of nationalism, hatred, and identity to help raise
money for the war? Give examples.
22. Describe the “anti-immigrant hysteria”, and also, the problems associated with the Espionage and Sedition Acts. What do these
things have to do with the concept of identity? What are civil liberties? Should the sacrifices of war ever include the reduction of civil
liberties? Explain your answer.
23. Explain the idea of the “clear and present danger” ruling by the Supreme Court in Schenk v. United States (1919).
24. Explain which enduring understandings and essential questions apply to this question set.
The War Ends: Use text p. 559, p. 565, pp. 567-568, pp. 578-579
25. When did WWI end? Explain why the Germans gave up fighting. What was the role of the British naval blockade in helping to
end the war?
26. What is a Kaiser? Who was the Kaiser during WWI? What happened to him at the end of the war?
27. What was the final toll of WWI? What did this steep toll have to do with industrialization?
28. Who were the “Big Four” at the Treaty of Versailles? Were any of the leaders of the Central Powers present at treaty
negotiations? When was the treaty signed?
29. Explain IN YOUR OWN WORDS, the major weakness of the Treaty of Versailles. What were reparations? What was the warguilt clause? Also IN YOUR OWN WORDS, explain how this would lead to the Second World War. (Be sure to mention economic
conditions in Germany and Hitler.)
Sample Short Essay: Why did Europe go to war in August of 1914?
Europe went to war in August of 1914, but the long-term causes developed quite some
time before. The four most important long-term causes were nationalism, imperialism,
militarism, and the alliance system. The immediate cause of World War I was the
Serbian assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austrian throne.
Nationalism is excessive, narrow patriotism that can dull people’s sense of world
citizenship, causing countries to be reckless in dealing with other human beings. This
recklessness caused European countries like France and Germany to compete to be the
dominant power in Europe, even at the expense of peace and global cooperation.
Furthermore, various ethnic groups in Europe hoped to create countries of their own,
especially if they lived under a powerful government that was controlled by a different
ethnicity. Feelings of superiority can cause countries to believe that their customs,
values, and government systems should be universal. So, for example, the Czechs were
unhappy because Austria-Hungary would not even allow them to use their own language,
and Serbs were discriminated against. Overall, nationalism created an environment of
hostility in Europe that caused people to ignore the idea of their world citizenship.
Imperialism was the idea that economically developed countries compete to control
colonies in the undeveloped world. Industry often grows so big that it requires overseas
markets, overseas resources, and overseas labor to allow it to continue growing. Colonies
supplied imperial powers with raw materials like oil and rubber, and markets to sell their
manufactured finished products. As Britain, France, and Germany industrialized, they
sought more and more imperialist holdings. Industry will urge government to facilitate
and protect international business, and such protection requires government to give
military assistance. Imperialist competition added another ingredient to the growing
feeling of hostility developing in Europe.
Militarism was the development of powerful armed forces that were then used as a
tool of diplomacy, and as a way to influence other countries. This can lead to war.
These large militaries were designed to advance nationalist interests, and protect
international business. Germany built the strongest army in the world. Great Britain had
the strongest navy in order to protect its many shipping/trade routes. British, German,
French, and American shipyards raced to build the largest battleships and destroyers.
Businesses often profit from war, and government military policies designed to benefit
business and industry can result in war.
Alliances with other countries can result in war. Many countries in Europe sensed the
growing hostility, and formed alliances promising to support one another in case of
attack. By 1914, the Allies consisted of France, Great Britain, and Russia. The Central
Powers consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Turks.
In June 1914, in the Balkan Peninsula—“the Powder Keg of Europe”, a young Serbian
nationalist shot and killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. Austria-Hungary
declared war on Serbia. This immediately drew Russia into the war because of their
kinship with the ethnic Serbs. Russia’s entrance into the war pulled in all the other allies,
and World War I, The Great War, The War to End All Wars, had begun by August 1914.