WWI Constructed Response
Practice Questions
1. Identify the cause of WWI illustrated in the
cartoon. Explain this cause using two details from
the cartoon.
First Period
• Alliances
• The littler guy is getting
picked on and he’s
being backed up by the
other countries
• It’s starting more fights
as each person
threatens hitting
someone AKA they
declared “war” on the
other country (person)
• Threats made (not
acted out) on allies
• “If you touch me I’ll…”
(threat of action)
• “If you strike my friend,
I’ll…” (threat of action
against an ally)
Second Period
• Austria attacks little
country of Serbia and
then other countries
joined to fight with their
allies
• Germany is protecting
Austria-Hungary
• Britain is the last to join
the fight
• The cause of WWI was
one country threatening
another and its alliances
coming to the rescue
• The countries are
represented by people
threatening to hit another
“country”
• The countries are yelling
threatening things in
order to protect their
allies
Fourth Period
• The one guy touching the
boy (Serbia on AustriaHungary)
• The chain started with
him and everyone started
to defend their friend.
• Looks like the German is
closer and then the other
two are farther
– Score: 1
• The cause of WWI was
because of an AustroHungarian being attacked
and then several
countries coming to his
defense.
• The third guy, the
German, came after the
Russian
• The last person to come
to his defense is the
English
– Score: 3
2. Analyze the message of this political cartoon.
Provide two features or details from the cartoon in
your response.
First Period
• Germany is being forced • Trying to get Germany
to make peace
to agree to peace terms
• Hand wrapped around
• The fingers represent
Germany
the counties holding
Germany
• Dialogue- countries
shoving peace pill in
• The “pill” represents
Germany’s mouth
the terms
Second Period
• It is a message saying that
Germany has to come to an
agreement with the peace
whether they like it or not
• The hand represents each
country other than
Germany, forcing the person
to stay still
• The countries are also
represented by people
shoving the “peace treaty”
down Germany’s throat.
• The Big Four want Germany
to make peace with them
and stop fighting
• The hand is holding
Germany, the hand is all
four allies who want peace
• They are also feeding the
man, “Germany,” a pill that
says peace terms. All Four
are serving this pill to him.
Fourth Period
• Allied powers want to
defeat someone.
• Feeding the enemy
something they want.
• Crushing the enemy.
– Score: 0
• Germany was forced to
accept peace terms.
• I know this because
Germany is being held
tight in a fist and being
fed a ‘pill’ that says
“peace terms.”
• The four Allied leaders
are standing on the pill
box, holding the spoon
with the pill on it.
– Score: 3
3. Contrast two differences between Wilson’s
Fourteen Points plan and the Treaty of Versailles
from the chart below.
First Period
• Wilson’s plan wants
• Wilson wants less army
freedom of seas
involvement and the
whereas Treaty of
treaty wanted more
Versailles does not
army to destroy
Germany’s
• Wilson’s plan wants free
trade but under
• Wilson wants just free
Versailles Germany
trade; treaty gets
would have to pay $33
Germany to pay $33
billion back
billion
Second Period
• The 14 Points plan
wanted less military but
the Treaty of Versailles
called for defeating
Germany’s military
• The 14 Points plan
called for free trade but
the Treaty of Versailles
said that Germany
owed $33 billion for
damages in WWI
• 14 Points has free trade
but Versailles has $33
billion for trade
• 14 Points has adjust
colonies but Versailles
has nothing and has
divided Germany
Fourth Period
• One settlement was a $33
billion war debt for
internal damages.
• This was destructive as it
is a ridiculous amount to
pay back.
• Another settlement was
the abolition of German
military which actually led
to the re-growth and
defiance that spurred
WWII.
– Score: 1
• Was not effective at allWWII still happened
• Make size of German
military smaller ->
Germans resented
demands
• Forced to pay war debts > hurt already crippled
German economy
– Score: 3
4. The peace settlement following WWI was greatly determined by Great
Britain, France and the United States at the Palace of Versailles. Germany
reluctantly signed the treaty. Evaluate the effectiveness of the Versailles
Treaty. Include two settlements and the impact of each in your response.
Issue
Treaty settlement
Problems
War debt
Because of the treaty, the
new German Republic had
to make large payments to
pay for damage caused by
the war.
These payments would
hurt an already damaged
German economy.
Fear of German strength
The treaty limited the size
of the German military.
Germans resented the
treaty demands.
Nationalism
The treaty created new
states.
Some ethnic groups
became unwanted
minorities in new states.
Colonies and other nonEuropean territories
The treaty created a
system of mandates.
Mandates added to
imperial rule instead of
ending it.
League of Nations
The treaty established the
League of Nations.
The United States did not
join, thereby weakening
the League’s power
First Period
• The Treaty mainly effected
Germany and in a very bad way, it
led them to deep debt.
• It did make others happy because
they felt as though Germany
should be punished.
• The Treaty created mandates
which only added to imperial rule
• Treaty established the League of
Nations, but the US didn’t join so
it wasn’t that effective
• The treaty was not that effective
because each settlement had
problems.
• These problems were very
serious and some led to WWII.
• One settlement was made to
combat the war debt, causing
Germany to pay a lot of money.
However, Germany was already
hurt economically.
• Another settlement was there to
limit German strength, cutting
down the size of their military.
This was a problem because
Germany was reluctant and
angry, which caused future
issues.
Second Period
• Treaty of Versailles was
not effective
• Germany’s debt
– Made the country’s
financial situation worse
• German military
limitations
– Didn’t really matter,
Germany started WWII
Fourth Period
• At Versailles, the Allies
demanded payment and
demilitarization of
Germany. This crippled
the German economy.
Germany also resented
this treaty.
– Score: 1
• The Versailles Treaty
wasn’t effective at all.
• The new German republic
had to make large
payments because of the
damage of the war which
hurt the economy even
more.
• Because of the new states
that were created some
ethnic groups became
unwanted.
– Score: 3