What’s so Great about the Great War? World War I Historical Analysis

SAMPLE PRIMARY SOURCE DOCUMENT ANALYSIS This slide is included as a point of reference in the Historical Analysis Chart for the students. The power point will explain how to complete the chart by discussing and completing sample sections together as a whole class. Direct the students to follow along on the chart.

SAMPLE A From the Battlefields of France Three thousand miles from home, an American army is fighting for you. Everything you hold worthwhile is at stake. Only the hardest blows can win against the enemy we are fighting. Invoking the spirit of our forefathers, the army asks your unflinching support, to the end that the high ideals for which America stands may endure upon the earth. General John J. Pershing Instruct the students that they should closely read/observe the document before answering questions about it. Read the speech orally to the class. Review the role of General Pershing in World War I if needed.

From the Battlefields of France SAMPLE A From the Battlefields of France Three thousand miles from home, an American army is fighting for you. Everything you hold worthwhile is at stake. Only the hardest blows can win against the enemy we are fighting. Invoking the spirit of our forefathers, the army asks your unflinching support, to the end that the high ideals for which America stands may endure upon the earth. General John J. Pershing Source Title From the Battlefields of France If a source does not have an “official” title the students can use the title used to identify the source in the Primary Source Document Resource packet. The purpose of the title in the chart is mainly for the students use to reference back to the source if needed.

Summarize: What does the source tell us? SAMPLE A From the Battlefields of France Three thousand miles from home, an American army is fighting for you. Everything you hold worthwhile is at stake. Only the hardest blows can win against the enemy we are fighting. Invoking the spirit of our forefathers, the army asks your unflinching support, to the end that the high ideals for which America stands may endure upon the earth. General John J. Pershing Summarize: What does the source tell us? The American army is fighting for Americans The army needs civilian support Instruct the students to find main ideas stated/illustrated in the source. Students should summarize in their own words to demonstrate understanding.

SAMPLE A From the Battlefields of France Three thousand miles from home, an American army is fighting for you. Everything you hold worthwhile is at stake. Only the hardest blows can win against the enemy we are fighting. Invoking the spirit of our forefathers, the army asks your unflinching support, to the end that the high ideals for which America stands may endure upon the earth. General John J. Pershing Infer: What does the source suggest about the war? The German army is strong It’s a total war and will require everyone’s support Students look for information that is not explicitly stated when making an inference. They are using the information presented in the document and what they know about World War I to draw a conclusion about the war. Suggest to students that they should ask themselves, what is meant by the source? Students should look for evidence that is not explicit, but is hinted at. Students can consider perspective.

SAMPLE A From the Battlefields of France Three thousand miles from home, an American army is fighting for you. Everything you hold worthwhile is at stake. Only the hardest blows can win against the enemy we are fighting. Invoking the spirit of our forefathers, the army asks your unflinching support, to the end that the high ideals for which America stands may endure upon the earth. General John J. Pershing Analyze: What does the source suggest about the importance of the war to people at the time? We must win the war to preserve our democratic ideals Students should combine what they learn from the document with background knowledge to analyze the importance of WWI. Each section has a different “analysis” question to answer. Students should use the topic of the question to focus their answer to the question.

SAMPLE A From the Battlefields of France Three thousand miles from home, an American army is fighting for you. Everything you hold worthwhile is at stake. Only the hardest blows can win against the enemy we are fighting. Invoking the spirit of our forefathers, the army asks your unflinching support, to the end that the high ideals for which America stands may endure upon the earth. General John J. Pershing What evidence in the document supports your analysis? “the high ideals for which America stands may endure upon the earth” Students should quote (if text) or list content of an image to show evidence that supports the answer to the analysis question.

SAMPLE B Analyze What does the source suggest about how deeply people’s lives were affected by the war? This source lists the numbers of American soldiers transported to the United Kingdom and France for a one week time period. The scale of the war is emphasized by looking at the troop arrivals on a weekly basis.

SAMPLE C Analyze How does the source contribute to your understanding of life following the war? The map identifies portions of German territory proposed to be taken from Germany with boundaries for new countries shown. Students can consider what life would be like for people who live in these areas and how this impacted Germany.

SAMPLE D Using the transcript on the next slide, complete Sample D on the sample chart about this document. Using a directed teaching approach, complete the sample section of the Historical Analysis chart in order to allow students practice answering the questions with teacher assistance.

SAMPLE D WINDSOR CASTLE   Soldiers of the United States, the people of the British Isle welcome you on your way to take your stand beside the armies of many Nations now fighting in the Old World the great battle for human freedom. The Allies will gain new heart & spirit in your company. I wish that I could shake the hand of each one of you & bid you God Speed on your mission. George R. I April 29th 1918.