Curated OER
Lesson 3: U.S. Neutrality and the War in Europe, 1939-1940
Learners examine the U.S. neutrality policies that preceded American involvement in World War II. In this World War II lesson, students explore the events in Europe from 1939 to 1940 and Roosevelt's decision to give military aid to Britain.
Curated OER
Treaty of Versailles
Learners describe the purposes of the Treaty of Versailles. In groups, they analyze the causes and effects of the treaty and discuss why the Americans were so against it. They note ideas for and against its ratification and they make...
Curated OER
From War to Peace
In this post World War I worksheet, students review a chapter as they write 5 vocabulary terms that match 5 definitions, change 3 false statements into true statements, and explain 2 historical themes regarding this time period in United...
Curated OER
A Series of Intolerable Events
Eighth graders investigate the events that led to World War II. In this Holocaust lesson, 8th graders research primary and secondary sources about the events that led to the war. Students create PowerPoint presentations that provide...
Theodore Roosevelt Association
Defining America's Role in the World
As the first American president to win the Nobel Peace Prize, and only one of four presidents to do so in United States history, Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy achievements and preservation of peace are often overshadowed by his...
Curated OER
The Rise of Fascism
Students explore the variety of events and the people who would shape Europe during the 1920's, describing how this culminated with the Second World War. They create a timeline of ten pre-war events or people with the corresponding date...
Curated OER
Events Leading to World War II in Europe
In this World War II worksheet, students read "Events Leading to World War II in Europe," and then write time lines based on the information presented.
Curated OER
WWI Document Based Essay
Learners read various primary source documents on World War I. After reading each document, they answer discussion questions. Using the internet, they identify the causes of World War I as layed out by President Wilson and his reasons...
Curated OER
Treaty of Versailles Vs. MAGIC
In this end of World Wars I and II worksheet, students respond to 6 short answer questions pertaining to the Treaty of Versailles and other peace agreements.
Curated OER
Revisiting the Somme
Young scholars consider how the military folly of the Somme during World War I. In this World War I lesson, students visit selected websites to discover information about the Somme, propaganda, and their effects on the war.
Curated OER
How Did WWII Start?
How did the second world war begin? A presentation first looks at the political climate that led to WWI and the effects of that war. Then, it describes the reason Hitler was able to take hold of Germany after WWI and prior to WWII. The...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Imperialism, Arab Nationalism and World War I
Continued conflict in the Middle East makes this lesson relevant, and the inclusion of a critique of Lawrence of Arabia might increase student interest in a potentially challenging topic. The resource includes a solid introduction to the...
US Institute of Peace
Perspectives on Peace
Is peace simply the absence of war, or is there more to the story? Young social scientists define peace in the second installment of a 15-part series. Groups work together to explore cultural concepts of peace and the peacemaking process...
Curated OER
Lesson 1: Postwar Disillusionment and the Quest for Peace, 1921-1929
Students examine U.S. foreign policy following World War I. In this foreign policy lesson, students study the Five-Power Treaty and the Kellogg-Briand Pact and their effectiveness in preventing war. Students create political cartoons and...
Curated OER
World War II: Bombs and Peace
Students explore the final events and end of World War II. They examine the community impact of such events as the dropping of the dropping of atomic bombs, and President Roosevelt's death. Students prepare a presentation.
Curated OER
Enemy or Ally: America's Response to the Russian Revolution
Students examine the events related to the Russian Revolution. In groups, they use the internet to discover the concerns of Woodrow Wilson during this time period and relate them to the origins of the Cold War. To end the instructional...
Curated OER
The Great War: Evaluating the Treaty of Versailles
Young scholars examine and evaluate the Treaty of Versailles. They read and discuss primary source documents, explore various websites, develop a list of postwar goals for France, Germany, and the U.S., and evaluate whether the treaty...
Curated OER
Europe in Upheaval (1850 - 1914)
Europe was in a state of transition and upheaval that spanned a time of 60 years, beginning in 1850 and running through the first World War. Uncover the wars, key players, politics, and social movements that marked this time period in...
Student Handouts
The Cold War: The Truman Doctrine of 1947
What was the Truman administration's position on foreign policy during the Cold War? Class members respond to an excerpt from President Harry S. Truman's "Truman Doctrine" with three questions in the space provided.
Curated OER
The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Treaty of Versailles
Students identify the advantages and disadvantages of the Treaty of Versailles. Using the text of the treaty, they discover it created more tension between groups then bringing peace to the region. They discuss how this treaty could have...
Curated OER
Introduction to the Early Origins of the Cold War
In this Cold War worksheet, students read a 4-paragraph selection about post World War II diplomacy and then list key dates and events noted in the selection.
Global Oneness Project
Our Shared Humanity
Ann Shin's award-winning documentary, My Enemy, My Brother introduces viewers to Zahed Haftlang and Najah Aboud, two child soldiers on opposite sides during the Iran-Iraq war. After viewing the film, class members are asked to reflect on...
Curated OER
The July Crisis: Can You Stop the Great War?
Students role-play as diplomats from countries involved in World War I who have received telegrams stating they must prepare presentations on their country's position about the war. They have 45 minutes to reach a peace accord, or they...
Curated OER
Introduction to the Early Origins of the Cold War
In this Cold War activity, learners read an article titled "Introduction to the Early Origins of the Cold War," and then make a list of key dates and events from the selection.