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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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Handout
Social Studies Help Center

Social Studies Help: Why Did the United States Enter World War One?

For Students 9th - 10th
A set of lecture notes on the events leading to WWI and their impact on the United States. Although this site covers WWI, its main focus is the war in relation to America, and why they joined the war.
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Article
US Navy

Naval Historical Center: The h.l. Hunley in Historical Context

For Students 9th - 10th
An extensive history of the Confederate submarine, H.L.Hunley, the first submarine to sink a warship. Also information about two earlier prototypes.
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Handout
Other

Destroyers Online: Destroyers, Destroyer Escorts, and Frigates

For Students 9th - 10th
Extensive information about primary U.S. war ships used to protect convoys from U-Boats.
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Handout
Other

American Merchant Marine at War: u.s. Merchant Marine in World War Ii

For Students 9th - 10th
Gives an excellent history of the sailing ships and sailors of the Merchant Marine in both the Atlantic and Pacific. Links on the page include many firsthand accounts of the sailors and their experiences during the war.
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Handout
US Navy

Naval Historical Center: H. L. Hunley, Confederate Submarine

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a short article on the history of the first submarine to engage and sink a warship. Many links to information about its history, preservation and excavation. Includes original US and Confederate Navy documents.
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Handout
Other

On Deck: Submarines in the Civil War

For Students 9th - 10th
The Hunley wasn't the only submarine used in the Civil War. Read this comprehensive look at the research into underwater warfare and the results of that research.
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Primary
Curated OER

History Matters: The Zimmerman Telegram Bringing America Closer to War

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a copy of the actual Zimmerman Telegram where Germany states that it "Intends to begin - unrestricted submarine warfare." A great primary source that takes students deeper into historical understanding.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Neutrality and the Lusitania [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
American neutrality in World War I was sorely tested with the attack and sinking of the passenger ship, Luisitania. Read information about the attack and find conflicting reactions by Franklin Roosevelt and William Jennings Bryan about...
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: America Goes to War [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
President Woodrow Wilson tried to maintain American neutrality in World War I. Find out why he decided that the U.S. needed to join the war and read a portion of his message to Congress asking for a declaration of war against Germany....
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: America at War: The Guns of August

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the course of World War I on both the eastern and western fronts. See how the upheaval in the world brought about attempts at revolution in several countries.
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Article
University of Houston

University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: No. 381: Civil War Submarine

For Students 9th - 10th
A short discussion about the invention of the submarine and its use by both the Confederates and the Federals in the Civil War. This is a transcript of an accompanying radio broadcast.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: The United States Wwi

For Students 9th - 10th
This site explains how Germany resuming unrestricted submarine warfare contributed to the US entering WWI. Site is well-written, informative, and contains great details.
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Website
Other

Canonesea, Convoy Hx72 and U 100

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed account of the attack on a merchant convoy traveling from Canada to England. At the time of the attack (Sept. 1940), it represented the largest U Boat "Wolf Pack" attack on a British convoy.
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Website
Other

Deep Image: The Discovery of the U767

For Students 9th - 10th
A first hand account on the discovery of the German U Boat, the U767, which was sunk in the English Channel by British naval forces. Includes a primary source on the attack on the U Boat.
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Website
Oregon Secretary of State

Oregon at War: Before the War America's Strained Neutrality

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the attempts of the United States to remain neutral during World War I raging in Europe. Find out what finally made U.S. entrance into the war inevitable.
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Website
Other

Uboat.net: Imperial German Majesty's Uboats in Wwi

For Students 9th - 10th
A Brief article describing the U-boat crisis of 1916 and the declaration of unrestricted submarine warfare
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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: World War I the Sinking of the Lusitania and Submarine Warfare

For Teachers 5th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the sinking of the submarine the Lusitania during World War I. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
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Article
BBC

Bbc History: World Wars: World War One: The First Battle of the Atlantic

For Students 9th - 10th
Historian Gary Sheffield recounts the events, strategies, and outcomes of the Battle for the Atlantic, in a six-part illustrated article.
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Handout
BBC

Bbc History: World Wars: World War Two: Battle for the Atlantic

For Students 9th - 10th
Article reviews the principal elements associated with Britain's lengthy struggle with Germany for control of the Atlantic during the Second World War.
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Graphic
Mariners' Museum and Park

Mariners' Museum: Battle of the Atlantic: A Virtual Exhibit

For Students 9th - 10th
An online exhibit detailing Word War II's Battle of the Atlantic.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: America at War: The Lusitania

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief description of the sinking of the Lusitania and why that occurance eventurally broke down American neutrality, and the United States finally entered World War I.
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Handout
Other

Tincan Sailors: A Description of Us Destroyers and Their Weapons

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed site about Destroyers and their role in the war. Photographs, weapons, living conditions. All the information you need on Destroyers
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Graphic
Other

New Hampshire State Library: World War Ii Posters

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains various posters the US Government used during World War II to raise nationalism and increase the armed forces.