Aligned to Virginia's Standards of Learning for History and Social Science
Lesson Plans
Resources
Middle
School
SOL USII.5c: The student will apply social science skills to understand the emerging role of the United States from the late nineteenth century through World War I by (c) evaluating and explaining the reasons for the United States' involvement in World War I and its international leadership role at the conclusion of the war.
A look into the events and overall climate in the United States prior to entering the war.
American Leaders Speak: Recordings from World War I and the 1920 Election
Digital collection of excerpts from political speeches.
Students use newspaper articles to examine Americans' stances for and against joining the war.
Comparing FDR's final speech to Congress to an early draft.
An investigation into why Congress rejected the League of Nations. Students compare speeches by Woodrow Wilson and Henry Cabot Lodge.
The Great War: A Visual History
American Battle Monuments Commission
Significant events from the war shown on an interactive map and timeline.