National Endowment for the Humanities
Chronicling America: Uncovering a World at War
As part of a study of World War I, class members read newspaper articles from the time that urge American involvement, non-involvement, or neutrality. Using the provided worksheet, groups analyze the articles noting the central argument...
Loudoun County Public Schools
World War I Causes Project
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...
Curated OER
Global Conflict
Examine the effects and interesting facts regarding global conflict during WWI. Topics covered include The Lusitania, Zimmerman Telegram, the collapse of central powers, and John Pershing. Slides include informative text and images in a...
Curated OER
The Rules of War/World War I
Students explore the reasons the United States became involved in World War I. In this World History lesson, students research the reasons Woodrow Wilson made the decisions he did, prepare a debate and write a paper.
Curated OER
The Zimmermann Telegram
Students 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.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Woodrow Wilson and Foreign Policy
A thorough review of Woodrow Wilson's foreign policies in these four lessons offered by EDSITEment. Learn the origins of "Wilsonianism," Wilson's views on relations with countries in Latin America, Wilson's decision to enter World War I,...
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: The Zimmerman Telegram
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...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History/college History Unit: Period 7: 1890 1945
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.
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: Patriotic Labor: America During World War I
Take a look at the need for American labor during World War I. It provided second-class citizens, such as women and African Americans, a brief opportunity for better jobs that would help foment in them a desire for more and equal...
Curated OER
History Matters: The Zimmerman Telegram Bringing America Closer to War
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.
Digital History
Digital History: America Goes to War [Pdf]
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....
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University: World War I Document Archive: The Zimmerman Note
Text of the Zimmerman Note to the German Ambassador to Mexico in 1917.
Digital History
Digital History: The United States Wwi
This site explains how Germany resuming unrestricted submarine warfare contributed to the US entering WWI. Site is well-written, informative, and contains great details.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1890 1945: The United States in World War I
Discusses what triggered World War I, why the United States joined the war, and the impact the war had on life in the United States. Includes questions for students at end.
Digital History
Digital History: America at War: The United States Enters the War
A look at American neutrality at the start of World War I, its favoring of the allies, and the reasons the United States entered the war in 1917.
Ducksters
Ducksters: World War I for Kids: United States in Wwi
Kids learn about the United States in World War I. The U.S. began neutral but was pulled into the war by the Germans. The influx of fresh troops and resources turned the tide of the war in favor of the Allies.
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Zimmermann Telegram Facts
Comprehensive overview details how the Zimmermann telegram helped to bring about American entry into WW1.