1. Cornell Notes: Unit: WWI Topic: US Involvement in WWI
Guiding Question: How and why did the United States join the side of the “Allies” (Britain, France, and Russia) in WWI?

2. I. Events that Led to U.S. Involvement in WWI
A. May 7, 1915—Sinking of the British passenger liner Lusitania, killing 1200 people 128 of which were Americans
B. March 1916—Germans sink the Sussex killing 80 Americans—They make a promise (“Sussex Pledge”) not to sink anymore passenger or merchant ships without warning
C. January 1917—Wilson Makes “Peace Without Victory” Speech
D. February Germans plan to resume unrestricted sinking of ships
E. February 1917—Zimmerman Telegram
F. April 1917—United States Declares War

3. II. Why did the U.S. join the British and French in the war?
Economically the U.S. had greater trade and business ties with France and Britain
Socially—culturally the U.S. spoke English and was connected more culturally to Britain
Politically—France and Britain had Democracies and the Germans and Austro-Hungarians had Autocratic dictatorships—President Wilson would eventually use propaganda to convince Americans to aid the British and French
D. Events (see previous notes) angered the U.S.—Unrestricted sinking of ships/Zimmerman Telegram

4. Journal Topic: WWI Political Cartoons
Task: Which cartoon was most effective in conveying the artist’s message?

10. WWI U.S. Enlistment Poster

11. 2. Read the article once to get a general understanding of the letter.
Critical Reading: 8.6 Letter, Harry S. Truman to Mary Ethel Noland Regarding Combat in WWI (November 1, 1918)
1. What can you infer about the character of Harry Truman? (In other words, what was Harry Truman like?) Use specific examples from the text to support your conclusions.
2. Read the article once to get a general understanding of the letter.
3. Read the article a second time, taking notes on the details that reveal the character of Harry Truman.

12. Critical Reading: Letter, Harry S
Critical Reading: Letter, Harry S. Truman to Mary Ethel Noland Regarding Combat in WWI (November 1, 1918)
2. What can you infer about combat during WWI? (In other words, what does this primary source reveal about what combat was like during WWI? Use specific examples from text to support your conclusions.)

13. Cornell Notes: Unit: WWI Topic: Results/Aftermath of the War
Guiding Questions: 1. What was Wilson’s plan for peace? To what extent did Wilson achieve his vision of a “peace without victory?”

14. I. Wilson’s Plan For Peace
A. Fourteen Points
Peace Without Victory
Public Diplomacy
Colonial Rights
Self-Determination
League of Nations

15. II. Was the Plan a Success?
A. Treaty of Versailles—France, Britain, Italy, U.S.
1. Territory taken from Germany
2. Germany blamed for war and forced to pay war reparations—bankrupted the German Economy
3. Many new nations were created on the basis of ethnicity—self-determination
4. League of Nations was created (Was a failure because the U.S. refused to join and Britain and France dominated it, punishing the Germans)

16. Europe Prior to 1914

17. Europe After WWI, 1919

18. Journal Topic: Sedition Act of 1918
Task 1: Read section three of the Sedition Act and answer the following question: 1. Would this Act be passed today?
Task 2: Read the rest of the article and answer this question: Why do you think people are often willing to sacrifice freedoms in times of war?

19. Bonus Option (20 Points)
Assignment: Read the NOVA website article by Peter Tyson, “Inside the Red Baron’s Mind,” and write a summary addressing the following three questions:
1. What do these excerpts reveal about Richthofen?
2. How did Richthofen appear to change as the war drug on?
3. What are your thoughts or opinions about Richthofen?
(Due Monday!)
To Access this article go to the Cool Sites Page, US History Research, Section H: WWI, #2.