World War I Research Project
Directions: For the next several weeks, you will be researching one of the topics listed in this packet.
Follow the research steps outlined in class, including the creation of a Research Log. Use the notes in your
Log to complete a Research Paper and a Presentation Product to share with the class. Both the Research
Paper and Presentation should reflect your knowledge, analysis, creativity, and attention to detail. As always,
cite all sources of information. You may work with one partner that is doing the same topic during the
research phase of the project, AND you may work with this partner to create a Presentation Product.
However, EVERYONE must write a research paper.
A) Research Paper: 3 – 4 pages, 12 pt. font, Times New Roman, double spaced, 1 inch margins, with an additional
cover page that includes the title of your project, your name, the date, and a visual
Your research paper should follow the following format:
1. Introduction and Overview of Topic and Argument: Give the reader a general sense of what you will
discuss and prove which should be based on your prompt. Give the reader some context, and finish this
paragraph with your THESIS STATEMENT. (1 paragraph).
2. Evidence: Discuss the details about your topic making sure that each paragraph relates back to your argument.
Provide quotes from your sources to analyze as well. (3 – 4 paragraphs)
3. Summary/Significance: Have you done what your prompt has directed you to? Is it clear why your topic is
important in the big picture of WWI? Summarize how your research paper has proved your argument. (1
paragraph)
4. Works Cited Page: You will need at least three sources. Cite these sources on a separate works cited page.
This page DOES NOT COUNT towards your page limit.
B) Presentation Product: a visual or creative representation of your research topic. You MAY WORK WITH
YOUR RESEARCH PARTNER to create a single presentation product. You must divide the work evenly. You
will only be graded on your work. There is a SUGGESTED Presentation Product with each topic, but you
can do a different product as long as you ask your teacher first. You will give a Formal Presentation to share
your product and the most important information you learned:
A.
Presentations must be 3 – 5 minutes. I will cut you off unfinished at 6 minutes.
1.
Make sure you practice at home and perfect your timing.
B.
Include your Product in your presentation.
1.
Use products as teaching tools to teach the class what you learned.
C.
Include the answer to your Research Question in your presentation.
1.
Background
3.
Evidence
2.
Thesis/Claim
4.
Explanation
D.
Dress properly- Presentations will be made in job interview appropriate attire. At the
minimum, a pair of slacks, not jeans and a shirt with a collar.
Topics
1. Battles of WWI
Choose ONE of the following major battles of WWI: The Battle of Tannenberg, 1914; The Defense
of the Suez Canal, 1915; The Battle of the Somme, 1916; The Battle of Verdun, 1916; The Battle of
Jutland, 1916; The Capture of Baghdad, 1917; the Battle of Gallipoli. Your writing must answer:
Why was this battle significant to the war? Defend your answer with at least three reasons and
detailed evidence.
Suggested Presentation Product: Include a crafted map (you make the map, not print it out) that
shows the battle. Include a visual representation of the battles. This can be a symbolic representation
or an image of how you imagined the battle looked. This also must be created by you, not printed or
photocopied.
2. New Technology in Weaponry
Choose 3 of the following weapons (poison gas, submarines, machine guns, airplanes, tanks and
artillery shells). For each weapon you chose, your writing must answer: How was the weapon
created? What battle(s) was the weapon first used in? How did the weapon change the nature of war?
Is this weapon (or a version of it) still used today?
Suggested Presentation Product: Create an original schematic (diagram drawing) of each weapon
that illustrates some part of what you talked about in your research paper.
3. Trench Warfare
Describe Trench Warfare and explain how it was different from what warfare was like before. Your
writing must answer: You must state what warfare was like beforehand and then compare and
contrast the new style of warfare with the old. Then, analyze WHY trench warfare came about and
give evidence for your answer.
Suggested Presentation Product: Produce a cross section of a trench displaying the following items:
mess hall, living quarters, dispensary, common area and the parts important to a front line soldier –
parapet, fire step, “over the top” – no man’s land etc.
4. War Heroes and Villains
Choose one of the following significant individuals: Red Baron; Kaiser Wilhelm II; General
Pershing; President Wilson; General Foch; Czar Nicholas II; V.I. Lenin; Lawrence of Arabia;
Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk); Rosa Luxemburg. Analyze the impact of that individual on WWI and its
aftermath (if applicable). Your writing must answer: What were three significant actions of this
individual and how did they impact World War I?
Suggested Presentation Product: Create a portrait or paper mache sculpture of the individual
complete with a name plate identifying who they are.
5. WWI Music
Analyze the lyrics and music of THREE songs as primary sources. Use APPARTS to analyze each
song. For each song, summarize your analysis by explaining the country of origin, message of the
lyrics and what the lyrics tell us about that country, person, and time period. Your writing must
answer: background information about the time period and origin of EACH song and an analysis of
what the lyrics reveal about the nature of WWI and/or the people who lived during this time.
Suggested Presentation Product: Create a CD of WWI music. For this CD, create an album cover
that displays the ideas contained in the lyrics. This album cover can be a poster.
6. Women in War
Investigate the role of women in World War I. Your writing must answer: Discuss women’s career
options, voluntary war activities, and the challenges women faced during the war. You should be sure
to highlight the actions of famous women, and address the different roles women played in different
countries.
Suggested Presentation Product: Create a propaganda poster encouraging women to serve in the war
in any of the various career options or voluntary war activities you discovered.
7. United States Involvement
Discuss the mood in the United States before and during World War I and analyze why it took the
United States so long to get involved, and what finally drove the United States to become involved.
Your writing must answer: give at least three reasons and detailed evidence explaining why people
in the United States believed that the US should or should not get involved in WWI. Explain what
finally drove the United States to get involved.
Suggested Presentation Product: Prepare a persuasive speech for delivery to the U.S. Congress based
on the following question “Why the U.S. should become involved in WWI” or “Why the U.S. should
not become involved in WWI.” Your speech must clearly reflect the political realities in the U.S.
before the entry into WWI. This speech must be recorded – either on a video recorder, CD or tape.
You may have others in your recording, but only as extras.
8. WWI Art and Culture
Investigate the Dadaism, Cubism of artists like Pablo Picasso, and the literary works of the “Lost
Generation.” Your writing must answer: What were the main themes and ideas of these artistic and
literary movements? How do these themes and ideas detail the psychological and emotional impact of
the war on people?
Suggested Presentation Product: Create your own Dadaist or Cubist painting, or compose a short
story in the style of the “Lost Generation.” Be sure to film yourself reading your short story.
9. The Armenian Genocide
Write a paper that explores the Armenian genocide caused by the Ottoman government. Does
wartime create an environment in which human rights violations are more likely to occur? Your
writing must answer: The first half of your paper should explore what happened in the Armenian
genocide. The second half should explain with detailed evidence how wartime creates or does not
create an environment that leads to human rights violations.
Suggested Presentation Product: Create a poster raising awareness for a modern genocide (Rwanda,
Darfur, etc)
10. Create your own!
If you would like to select this option, be sure to clear it with me first!
Suggested Presentation Product: Clear it with me first!
*Dates to Remember:*
WWI Research Paper Rough Drafts due- March 20/21
Formal Presentation and Papers/Projects Due- April 3/4
WWI Suggested Sources
General WWI Information: Start Here
http://www.fidnet.com/~weid/ww1.html
http://www.besthistorysites.net/20thCentury_WWI.shtml
http://www.firstworldwar.com/
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWW.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/worldwarone/
http://www.worldwar1.com/
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world_war_one.htm
http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/
Battles
http://www.worldwar1.com/heritage/heritag2.htm
http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/index.htm
http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/maps/
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battles_of_world_war_one.htm
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWbattles.htm
The Battle of Verdun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oabxoP_jVM
World War 1: Battle of Verdun 1/4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWJB6Y-3N5o&feature=related
World War 1: Battle of Verdun 2/4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FM0Em_pKfQ&feature=related
World War 1: Battle of Verdun 3/4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUziTQN8Z-E&feature=related
World War 1: Battle of Verdun 4/4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2qamDMs-3g&feature=related
Weapons of WWI
http://www.cyberheritage.org/ammunition/French%2075mm%20model%201915.html
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/Home/Technology/Military-Technology/index.html
http://www.theaerodrome.com/index.php
http://www.acepilots.com/wwi/main.html
http://www.firstworldwar.com/weaponry/index.htm
http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW1/weapons.htm
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/lessons/lesson32.htm
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g3/cs1/default.htm
Trenches
http://techcenter.davidson.k12.nc.us/group9/trenchwar.htm
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWtrench.htm
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/trench.htm
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g3/cs4/default.htm
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g3/cs2/default.htm
http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW1/trenches.htm
http://www.australiansatwar.gov.au/throughmyeyes/w1_main.html
http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/trenchlife.htm
http://www.loc.gov/vets/stories/wwi-trenches.html
http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW1/trenches.htm
Women
http://www.warandgender.com/wgwomwwi.htm
http://userpages.aug.com/captbarb/signal.html
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWwomen.htm
http://memory.loc.gov/cgibin/query/r?ammem/naw:@field+(SOURCE+@band(rbnawsa+n2004)):@@@$REF$
http://userpages.aug.com/captbarb/femvets4.html
http://www.womensmemorial.org/H&C/Exhibits/exhibitshl.html
http://depts.washington.edu/labhist/strike/kim.shtml
http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/womenww1_intro.htm
Songs
http://www.ww1photos.com/WW1MusicIndex.html
http://www.ishk.org/files/war_songs_9812.html
http://www.halcyondaysmusic.com/ww1music.htm
http://library.mcmaster.ca/archives/exhibitions/WorldWar/lyrics.htm
http://parlorsongs.com/issues/2004-4/thismonth/feature.php
http://memory.loc.gov/cgibin/query/r?ammem/aasm,cowellbib,musdibib,dcm,raelbib,gottlieb,lomaxbib,vv,mussm,dukesm,scsm,varstg
,toddbib:@FIELD(SUBJ+@band(+world+war,+1914+1918++songs+and+music.+))
http://www.besmark.com/ww1b.html
http://www.firstworldwar.com/audio/index.htm
http://www.soldierssongs.com/cd.html#Christmas%20in%20the%20Trenches
http://www.militarysheetmusic.com/wwisongs.htm
Primary Sources including Propaganda, Poems and Photos
http://www.art-ww1.com/gb/visite.html
http://www.angelfire.com/ca/hmhsllandoverycastle/worldwar1.html
http://rutlandhs.k12.vt.us/jpeterso/uboatcar.htm
http://infolab.stanford.edu/~mmorten/propaganda/wwi/
http://www.ww1-propaganda-cards.com/
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/w1frm.htm
http://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/Main_Page
http://www.teacheroz.com/wwi.htm
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/britain1906to1918/g5/gallery5.htm
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/britain1906to1918/g6/gallery6.htm
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/lessons/lesson38.htm
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g3/cs4/default.htm
http://parlorsongs.com/issues/2004-4/thismonth/feature.php
http://www.wereldoorlog1418.nl/warpictures/index.html
http://www.worldwar1.com/pharc.htm
http://www3.sympatico.ca/berdusco/photo.htm
http://www3.sympatico.ca/berdusco/photo.htm
Armenian Genocide
http://www.unitedhumanrights.org/Genocide/armenian_genocide.htm
http://www.teachgenocide.org/survivoraccounts/index.htm
http://www.anca.org/genocide_resource/synopsis.php
http://www.genocide1915.info/history/
http://www.theforgotten.org/site/intro_eng.html
http://www.armenian-genocide.org/research.html