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Interactive
DocsTeach

The Zimmermann Telegram

For Teachers 6th - 12th
An enlightening activity explains how a telegram prompted the United States to enter World War I. Scholars examine the telegram and work to decode it. To finish, individuals complete a worksheet and participate in group discussion to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Zimmermann Telegram

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Young scholars decode a fictitious message and write messages using the code. Students are shown the significance of the creation of the Zimmermann telegram to aid in communication and how it altered history.
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Activity
Loudoun County Public Schools

World War I Causes Project

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
After completing this detailed and well-designed project, your young historians will be well-versed in their explanations of the reasons that various countries joined World War I! Learners design a picture book covering seven primary...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Failed Diplomacy: The Zimmerman Telegram

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders continue their examination of World War I. In groups, they read a copy of the famous Zimmerman telegram and discuss its effect on Americans. To end the activity, they discuss how public opinion changed after it became...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Rules of War/World War I

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore the reasons the United States became involved in World War I.  In this World History instructional activity, students research the reasons Woodrow Wilson made the decisions he did, prepare a debate and write a paper.
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Lesson Plan
National History Day

Why Did the United States Enter World War I in 1917?

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
World War I was the first major conflict on a global scale. Using primary documents, learners determine why the United States chose to enter World War I when it did. After analytical writing and group research, the causes of America's...
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Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Nara: Teaching With Documents: The Zimmerman Telegram

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This is an excellent resource for anyone intersted in the Zimmermann Telegram: click to see the original coded message, the decoded message, and read about the implications of the telegram. This National Archives and Records...
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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: Zimmermann Telegram Facts

For Students 9th - 10th
Comprehensive overview details how the Zimmermann telegram helped to bring about American entry into WW1.
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Study Guide
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Ap Us History/college History Unit: Period 7: 1890 1945

For Students 9th - 10th
The study resource from Khan Academy provides a video lesson about the Zimmerman Telegram: Period 7: 1890-1945 in American History. This resource is designed as a review for the AP US History Test.
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Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service

For Students 9th - 10th
Our Documents is home to one hundred milestone documents that influenced that course of American history and American democracy. Includes full-page scans of each document, transcriptions, background information on their significance, and...
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Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Woodrow Wilson and American Entry Into Ww I

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson plan explores the ways President Woodrow Wilson tried to keep America out of war as World War I raged in Europe. Examine documents, speeches, and other primary sources to follow America's path from neutrality to war.
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eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: Great War 1914 1919: American Isolationism and European Origins of War

For Students 11th - 12th
The foreign policy of Woodrow Wilson is explained, and how he tried to keep America neutral at the start of World War I yet intervened in international affairs in the Western Hemisphere. The reasons America declared war on Germany in...
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Primary
Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University: World War I Document Archive: The Zimmerman Note

For Students 9th - 10th
Text of the Zimmerman Note to the German Ambassador to Mexico in 1917.
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Handout
The History Cat

The History Cat: America Enters the Ring

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the events leading up to America's entry into World War I and the changes that took place in America soon after. These included legislation such as the Selective Service Act and the Espionage and Sedition Acts, protests by...
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Farewell to Isolation

For Students 5th - 8th
President Wilson's claim, "he kept us out of war," did not last. Read about the increasing number of reasons for American to declare war against Germany. See why war was finally declared in April, 1917.
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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: Us Entry Into Ww1

For Students 9th - 10th
Article presents facts about the attitude of Americans towards the war, the reasons for US entry, and significant events.
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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: World War 1

For Students 9th - 10th
Thirty interesting facts about World War 1 include the causes of the Great War, the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), the countries of the Allies and Central Powers, the American troops, WW1 weapons and the different types of warfare...
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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: Us Summary in World War 1

For Students 9th - 10th
Summaries of events and major accomplishments surrounding President Woodrow Wilson, the United States, and World War 1.