8th Grade DBQ #2 World War II
Social Studies 8
Name_________________________
Section # ______
In developing your answer to the Document-Based Question, be sure to keep this
general definition in mind:
describe means “illustrate something in words or tell about it”
discuss means “to make observations about something using facts, reasoning,
and argument; to present in some detail”
This question is based on the accompanying documents. It is designed to test your
ability to work with historical documents. Some of these documents have been
edited for the purposes of the question. As you analyze the documents, take into
account the source of each document and any point of view that may be presented in
the document.
Historical Context:
World War I started in Europe in August 1914. For three years Americans
debated whether the United States should enter the conflict. Eventually, in 1917,
America joined the Allies. Some Americans protested this decision. In response the U.S.
government launched a major campaign to win support for the war.
Task: Using information from the documents in Part A and your knowledge of
U.S. history, answer the questions that follow each document. Your
answers to the questions will help you write the Part B essay, in which you
will:
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Describe the arguments for and against U.S. involvement in World War I
Discuss how the war affected Americans at home.
Part A
Short-Answer Questions
Name _____________________
Directions: Analyze the documents and answer the short-answer questions that follow
each document in the space provided.
Document 1
The effect of the war upon the United States will depend upon what
American citizens say and do. Every man who really loves America will act
and speak in the true spirit of neutrality…The spirit of the nation in this
critical matter will be determined largely by what individuals…do and say,
upon what newspapers and magazines contain, upon what ministers utter in
their pulpits…The United States must be neutral in fact as well as in name
during these days that are to try men’s souls. We must be impartial in
thought as well as in action…
-President Woodrow Wilson
From a speech to the U.S. Senate, 1914
1a What policy is Wilson promoting about the war in Europe? [1]
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1b According to Wilson, who is responsible for the success of that policy? [1]
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Document 2
Name _____________________
-James Montgomery Flagg, 1917
2a What year was this poster created? [1]
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2b What does the woman in the poster symbolize? [1]
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2c What is the main message of the poster? [2]
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Document 3
Name _____________________
Neutrality is no longer feasible or desirable where the peace of the world is involved
and the freedom of its peoples…
We have no quarrel with the German people. We have no feelings toward
them but one of sympathy and friendship. It was not upon their impulse that their
government acted in entering this war…We are accepting this challenge…to fight thus
for the ultimate peace of the world and for the liberation of its people, the German
people included…The world must be made safe for democracy…
-President Woodrow Wilson
From a speech to Congress, April 2, 1917
3a What does Wilson believe about the people of Germany? [1]
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3b What reason does Wilson give for going to war? [1]
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Document 4
Name _____________________
4a What audience is this WWI poster targeting? [1]
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4b What did the U.S. Food Administration want people to do after seeing this poster? [2]
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Document 5
Name _____________________
5a How is the American portrayed in this poster? [1]
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5b How is the German portrayed in this poster? [1]
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5c How might the poster have influenced the people who saw it? [2]
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Document 6
Name _____________________
…whoever, when the United States is at war, shall willfully utter, print, write, or
publish…abusive language about the form of government of the United States, or the
Constitution of the United States…or the flag of the United States…shall be punished
by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than twenty years, or
both…
-The Sedition Act
Passed by Congress, May 16, 1918
6a What freedoms are suspended by the Sedition Act? [1]
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6b Why did Congress pass the Sedition Act in 1918? [2]
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Document 7
Name _____________________
3a What cause does this woman support? [1]
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3b How is the banner critical of Woodrow Wilson? [2]
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Part B
Essay
Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several
paragraphs, and a conclusion. Use evidence from at least 4
documents to support your essay. Support your response with relevant
facts, examples, and details. Include additional outside information.
In developing your answer to the Document-Based Question, be sure to keep this
general definition in mind:
describe means “illustrate something in words or tell about it”
discuss means “to make observations about something using facts, reasoning,
and argument; to present in some detail”
Historical Context:
World War I started in Europe in August 1914. For three years Americans
debated whether the United States should enter the conflict. Eventually, in 1917,
America joined the Allies. Some Americans protested this decision. In response the U.S.
government launched a major campaign to win support for the war.
Task: Using information from the documents in Part A and your knowledge of
U.S. history, answer the questions that follow each document. Your
answers to the questions will help you write the Part B essay, in which you
will:


Describe the arguments for and against U.S. involvement in World War I
Discuss how the war affected Americans at home.
Guidelines:
In your essay, be sure to:
 Develop all aspects of the task
 Incorporate information from at least 4 documents
 Incorporate relevant outside information
 Support the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details
 Use a logical and clear plan of organization, including an introduction
and a conclusion that is beyond a simple restatement of the theme
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