Name__________________________
Versailles to Pearl Harbor: The Road to
War Illustrated Timeline and Essay
Assignment overview: Create an illustrated timeline detailing the events leading up to America’s
involvement in WWII, and assess whether America’s involvement in World War II was inevitable.
Steps:
1. Use your notes from the Power-Point presentation to identify 10 key events or movements
leading up to America’s declaration of war. Find out the dates (or range of dates) for each event
or movement.
2. Make a rough draft of your timeline by arranging the 10 events or movements in order on a
large sheet of paper. Clearly indicate the dates or range of dates for each.
3. For each of 5 of these events or movements, sketch a rough illustration that represents it.
4. Search the internet for photographs or illustrations from the time period that illustrate the
remaining 5 events (the 5 that you did not illustrate yourself).
5. Choose appropriate software and create a final draft of your timeline. The final draft of your
timeline should include the following:
Ten major events or movements leading up to America’s involvement in WWII, arranged in
order, with dates clearly indicated.
An illustration for each of the ten events or movements (five of which you created). The
events or movements that you did not create should include a caption identifying the
illustration and its source.
6. Identify 5 events or movements that you believe were most important, as well and the
American or Allied (France’s, Britain’s, or Russia’s) response to them. On separate paper,
identify a response or responses to each that might have led to the avoidance of war.
7. Write a brief essay, (2-3 paragraphs) that either supports or contradicts the following
statement:
America’s involvement in WWII was inevitable. Your essay should be typed, double-spaced,
using 12-point Times New Roman font.