This database includes articles, lesson plans and primary sources from the National WWI Museum and Memorial and our partners around the world, presented in collaboration with the United States World War One Centennial Commission. Be sure to join the mailing list to get updated content and resources every other month.
Do you have resources that you want to share or have questions? Contact us at education@theworldwar.org.
Teaching Resource Database
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World War I ArmisticeTopics in Chronicling AmericaCreator: Library of CongressThe Library of Congress provides articles from historic newspapers document the news coverage of the end of the First World War. All the linked articles and many more are searchable via the Chronicling America: American Historic Newspapers digital collection.Explore Online |
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Poppies for Remembrance and CommemorationCreator: National WWI Museum and Memorial, US WW1 Centennial CommissionExamine the importance of remembrance and commemoration through the symbolism of the poppy, engage your younger students with poppy crafts, and learn how to get your class involved in the fundraising effort to build a national WWI memorial in Washington, D.C.View Online |
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Nov. 11, 1918Armistice on the Western FrontCreator: National WWI Museum and MemorialOn Nov. 11, 1918, after more than four years of horrific fighting and the loss of millions of lives, the guns on the Western Front fell silent. Although fighting continued elsewhere, the armistice between Germany and the Allies was the first step to ending World War I. The global reaction was one of mixed emotions: relief, celebration, disbelief and a profound sense of loss. This brief article from the National WWI Museum and Memorial provides an overview of the events of the Armistice.View Online |
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Occupation During and After the WarCreator: 1914-1918-online, International Encyclopedia of the First World WarThis article by Joachim Schröder and Alexander Watson studies Germany’s experiences of occupation during and after the First World War. It highlights how Germans’ experiences contributed to fueling a sense of aggrieved injustice and a turn to extreme nationalism in the conflict’s aftermath.View Online |
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Who They WereCreator: National History DayIn the fall of 1918, young Americans from communities across our nation pushed forward across the battlefields of Europe, helping to end the war. Who They Were, an activity developed by the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission and National History Day, guides educators and students in exploring the story of their community's World War I generation. Using a simple Activity Toolkit, students create presentations that are posted to an online map and can be shared throughout at events and commemorations at their school and community.Download Toolkit |
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Hundred Days OffensiveFighting to End the WarCreator: National WWI Museum and Memorial, US WW1 Centennial CommissionThe Hundred Days Offensive was a series of attacks by the Allied troops at the end of World War I. Starting on August 8, 1918, and ending with the Armistice on November 11, the Offensive led to the defeat of the German Army. This short article, written by James Taub of the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission, summarizes the Allied military strategy and key players.View Online |
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From Amiens to ArmisticeThe Hundred Days OffensiveCreator: Imperial War MuseumsThis online exhibit outlines the major factors and themes that led to German defeat during the 100 Days Offensive and the immense cost of this last stretch of the conflict. Accompanied by photos that portray Germany’s waning morale, this exhibit raises the question: if these same events had happened only a couple years earlier would Germany ever have surrendered?View Online |
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World War I and Interwar SourcesEducators' ToolboxCreator: U.S. Army Heritage & Education CenterFrom the U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center, the USAHEC Educators' Toolbox is a resource for educators of all levels to find primary source materials from the U.S. Army's history for their classroom. The U.S. Army's history is rich and diverse. The USAHEC is the Army's archives, with primary source holdings ranging from individual Soldier stories to the plans and outlines for entire conflicts. The "military" side of the Army's history is important, but our other materials are just as useful in your classroom. The history of medicine, technology, leadership, integration, and hundreds of other topics and themes are available to educators to enrich learning in their classrooms.View the Resource Archive |
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The Meuse-Argonne OffensiveBattle InteractiveCreator: American Battle Monuments CommissionThe Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War I is one of America’s most significant battles in terms of both men and equipment engaged, and in the number of dead and wounded.View Online (requires Adobe Flash) |
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Letter from Ho Chi Minh to Secretary of State Robert LansingCreator: National ArchivesPrior to his pivotal role in the Vietnam War, Nguyen Ai Quac (Ho Chi Minh) requested members of the Paris Peace Conference to consider the rights of Vietnamese people in French Indochina. His request was ignored. The National Archives has the original 1919 letter (in the original French and translated into English) from Ho Chi Minh as well as other related documents from the Paris Peace Conference.Read the Letter |
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Medicine in the First World WarCreator: University of Kansas Medical CenterDuring the war, the U.S. Army mobilized medical resources to create one hundred large base hospitals. This website has been created to tell the story of Base Hospital #28, the 2,500 bed military base hospital that was formed by Kansas City doctors and nurses and which arrived in Limoges, France, in July 1918. During the six months of its active operation it served nearly 10,000 patients. The hospital was led by doctors who were associated with the medical school of the University of Kansas before and after The Great War. The website will also examine unexpected medical challenges, e.g. the influenza epidemic of 1918 and gas gangrene.Explore Online |
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Oral HistoriesWWI Soldiers, in Their Own WordsCreator: National WWI Museum and MemorialThese interviews, recorded between 1978 and 1980, allowed surviving veterans of the First World War to share their experiences, in their own words. The recordings, including several from African American veterans, have been digitized and are now available for listening on YouTube. If available, transcripts are also linked.Listen Online |
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'Shell Shock'The 100-Year Mystery May Now Be SolvedCreator: National GeographicA landmark study sheds new light on the damage caused by “blast shock”—the signature injury of wars for more than a century.Read Online |
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The Shock of WarWorld War I: 100 Years LaterCreator: Smithsonian MagazineAuthor Caroline Alexander explains the appearance of the ‘shell shock’ condition and its defining symptoms, as well as the diverse range of treatments offered, including a British estate used as a convalescent home.Read Online |
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Letter from Lutiant Van Wert to "Louise"Creator: National ArchivesFormer Haskell Institute student Lutiant Van Wert sent this letter to her friend Louise, who was still at the school. Van Wert describes her work as a volunteer nurse in Washington, DC, during the 1918 influenza epidemic. Van Wert was one of many Native Americans who volunteered as nurses and in other roles during WWI. This primary source comes from the Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.Read Online |
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about this project
The United States World War One Centennial Commission and the National World War I Museum and Memorial are dedicated to educating the public about the causes, events and consequences of the conflict and we encourage the use of these resources to better understand the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community.
Assisting in this endeavor are:
