Short Video, Lesson Plan

The First World War, Part 1 (Film Series): The Road to War

In 1914, how did a self-proclaimed modern, civilized world crash into a war that engulfed the globe and consumed millions of lives? Produced by the MacArthur Memorial, this short 13 minute film traces...
MacArthur Memorial
Article

World War I: 100 Years Later - The Shock of War

Author 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...
Smithsonian Magazine
Primary Source Stereograms

The Soldier to His Own Fireside

Created as part of a U.S. propaganda effort to show the glorious and adventure-filled, but ultimately safe, story of a young everyman in American service. This digitized collection of 25 illustrated...
Villanova University
Article

The Story of the Female Yeomen during the First World War

American women were not able to officially serve in the military until World War I, when a loophole allowed for women to join the Navy as Yeoman (F) - The F stood for female. These women did not fight...
National Archives
Article

The Thomas Splint: A revolution in treatment

Historically, a fracture to the femur bone in the leg was very nearly a death sentence. Introduced during WWI, the Thomas splint drastically reduced the rate of mortality from these injuries.
National Archives (UK)
Short Video

The USA Before Joining World War 1

In this 10-minute YouTube video, The Great War Channel explores the political, cultural, and social climate in the United States prior to their entry into World War I on April 6, 1917. Show host Indy...
The Great War YouTube Channel
Online Exhibition

The Volunteers: Americans Join World War I

The digital exhibition The Volunteers: Americans Join World War I examines the stories of the young men and women who transformed the meaning of volunteerism. Prompted by altruism, personal ambition,...
In collaboration with AFS Intercultural Programs
Article

The Women Warriors of the Russian Revolution

Set against the backdrop of the February Revolution in Russia, this short article by Carolyn Harris for Smithsonian Magazine describes the creation of the Women's Battalion of Death. Under the command...
Smithsonian Magazine
Article, Primary Source Documents, Lesson Plans

The Zimmermann Telegram

In January of 1917, British cryptographers deciphered a telegram from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the German Minister to Mexico, von Eckhardt, offering United States territory to...
National Archives