1. Comparative Essay
1914-Present

2. Directions
Answer the following question. You should spend 5 minutes organizing your essay. Write an essay that
Has a relevant thesis and supports that thesis with appropriate historical evidence.
Addresses all parts of the question.
Makes direct, relevant comparisons.
Analyzes relevant reasons for similarities and differences.
Discuss the similarities and differences between World War I and World War II, using ONE of the following points of comparison.
Causes
Effects on civilians
Effects on colonial areas
The global effects of the war

3. The Question
Discuss the similarities and differences between World War I and World War II, using ONE of the following points of comparison.
Causes
Effects on civilians
Effects on colonial areas
The global effects of the war

4. Turn prompt into two questions
WWI
WWII
What led to the World War I? OR
How did WWI impact civilians (non-combatants) in the countries involved? OR
How were colonized areas affected by this war? OR
How did this war change the world after the war?
What led to World War II OR
How did WWII impact civilians (non-combatants) in the countries involved? OR
How were colonized areas affected by this war? OR
How did this war change the world after the war?

5. Select one are to compare and make notes
Causes of World War I
Causes of WWII
Military build up
Alliances forced countries into conflict
Imperialist desires led to conflicts among Europeans
Nationalism, especially in Balkans where different ethnic groups aimed for self- determination
Military build up – Hitler violates treaty, Japan uses military to build empire
Drives for empires – Japan in China, Italy in Ethiopia, Germany in Eastern Europe
Appeasement – actions not taken to prevent the war
Ultra-nationalism in Germany, Italy and Japan led to military conquests

6. Label similarities and differences
Causes of World War I
Causes of WWII S
Military build up
Alliances forced countries into conflict
Imperialist desires led to conflicts among Europeans
Nationalism, especially in Balkans where different ethnic groups aimed for self- determination S
Military build up – Hitler violates treaty, Japan uses military to build empire
Drives for empires – Japan in China, Italy in Ethiopia, Germany in Eastern Europe
Appeasement – actions not taken to prevent the war of aggression
Ultra-nationalism in Germany, Italy and Japan led to military conquests D S S D D S S

7. Write your thesis statement
Start simple if you are stuck – don’t stay stuck
EXAMPLE (8th Grade) There were some similarities and some differences in the causes of the two world wars.
EXAMPLE 2 (9th Grade) Although World War I and World War II began differently, they had many similar causes.
EXAMPLE 3 (10th Grade) Despite having differences , the tensions leading to World War II parallel those that caused World War I.

8. Write your thesis statement
EXAMPLES (AP) While the Great War erupted over the assassination of Franz Ferdinand and the chain reaction within the alliance system, World War II began as a war of aggression and military expansion. Despite the difference in the immediate causes, nationalist aspirations, militarism, and territorial expansion contributed to the outbreak of the two global wars OR Nationalist aspirations, militarism, and territorial expansion contributed to the outbreak of two global wars, although they manifested in different ways.