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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Propaganda During World War 1Creator: The Great War YouTube ChannelPropaganda existed for many years prior to the start of World War I; however, inventions in media made it easier to reach people on a massive scale. In this 8-minute video, host Indy Neidel with the Great War Channel explores mass propaganda during the war, specifically in Germany, Britain, and the United States. Want to learn more? Follow up with this video about propaganda films to go further in depth.Watch Online |
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The Legacy of World War I PropagandaCreator: British LibraryThis short article for the British Library by Jo Fox, professor at Durham University, focuses on post-war reactions to propaganda in Germany, Great Britain, and the United States, explaining how it affected the outlook and propaganda of World War II for these countries. Also included is a 10 ½ minute YouTube video with Professor Fox.Read Online |
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American Leaders SpeakRecordings from World War I and the 1920 ElectionCreator: Library of CongressSound recordings from American leaders from 1918-1920 focus on issues and events surrounding the First World War and the subsequent presidential election of 1920.Listen Online |
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Sedition in World War ICreator: Stanford History Education GroupThe Sedition Act of 1917 limited freedom of speech. President Wilson and Congress claimed political dissent would harm the country's war effort. In this lesson, students consider whether critics of the First World War were anti-American as they read anti-war documents from prominent socialist leaders Eugene Debs and Charles Schenck, as well as excerpts from the Sedition Act and a Supreme Court ruling upholding the act. Download Files |
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Sgt. StubbyEducational Guide, K-5Creator: Fun Academy Media GroupThis activity book, created by Fun Academy Media Group as a companion piece to their animated film Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero includes reading and writing activities, social studies assignments, fun facts and hands-on activities based on the real-life war dog "Sgt. Stubby."Download PDF |
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The Great War and PeaceAn Introduction to Peace-Oriented Remembrance of WWI in Flanders FieldsCreator: Flemish Peace Institute"The peace-oriented tradition in the commemoration of the First World War has a long and complex history. During the inter-war period in Belgium, as in France, it was both veteran organisations and political movements which gave an important impetus to the origin of peace-oriented remembrance rituals and memorials." This essay from Maarten Van Alstein of the Flemish Peace Institute looks at how the First World War led to pacifist movements of war commemoration.Download PDF |
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10 Incredible Photos Of The Imperial Camel CorpsCreator: Imperial War MuseumsFirst raised in 1916, the Imperial Camel Corps was a camel-mounted infantry force operating in the Middle Eastern and African deserts. The Corps played an integral role in several First World War desert campaigns, including Palestine and Sinai. This resource includes 10 primary source photos.Read Online |
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They Winged Their Way Through Skies of SteelFrom The American Legion Weekly - August 29, 1919Creator: American LegionThis article published in 1919 in the American Legion Weekly describes the actions of carrier pigeons during the War, including the heroic flights of pigeons Cher Ami, Big Tom, President Wilson, and more.Download PDF |
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Jackie the BaboonCreator: South African Military Veterans Organisation of AustralasiaThe 3rd South African Infantry Brigade had a unique mascot, Jackie the Baboon. Jackie not only boosted morale among the soldiers, he also wore a uniform, marched, drew rations and warned his companions of enemy attacks. Learn more about Jackie in this short article from the South African Military Veterans Organisation of Australasia (SAMVOA).Read Online |
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Weird and Wonderful CreaturesWW1 UncutCreator: BBCHow were glow worms used during World War I? This six-minute YouTube video from the BBC show WW1 Uncut answers this question and describes the unexpected service of unique animals including slugs, sea lions, and elephants.Watch Online |
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StubbyThe Price of Freedom: Americans at WarCreator: Smithsonian National Museum of American HistoryThis resource from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History tells the story of Sergeant Stubby, the dog mascot of the 102nd Infantry, 26th Yankee Division. Veteran of 17 battles, Stubby was injured by shrapnel and mustard gas during his time in the war. He warned his fellow soldiers of gas attacks, located wounded soldiers, and even helped catch an enemy spy. Stubby died in 1926. His final resting place is the National Museum of American History.View Online |
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Top Tips For Managing Your Carrier PigeonsCreator: Imperial War MuseumsDelivering messages during World War I was not an easy task. Communication lines were often damaged by artillery fire, so soldiers often relied on carrier pigeons to deliver messages. These eleven tips came from the March 1918 British manual Carrier Pigeons in War, instructing soldiers in the proper care and training of pigeons.Read Online |
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The Animals That Helped Win World War ICreator: Smithsonian TTribuneThis article by Jennifer Nalewicki for Smithsonian's collection of online educational services, TTribune, gives an overview of the use of animals in war. It also tells the stories of famous animals of WWI, including Whiskey and Soda, the lion cub mascots of the Lafayette Escadrille, and most notably Rags, a Parisian street dog who became messenger and mascot to the First Division of the American Expeditionary Forces. A post-reading quiz is also available for teachers to use with their students (free website registration required to access.)Read Online |
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M is for MatesAnimals in Wartime from Ajax to ZepCreator: Australian War MemorialMany countries drafted animals into service, including Australia. While many of their animals were the same as those used by other countries, some were distinctly Australian. It was not uncommon to find kangaroo or koala bear mascots with Australian troops in the war. The Australian War Memorial created this eBook for younger students to learn more about Australian animals at war from the Boer War to the present day.Download PDF (43 Mb) |
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World War One: The Circus Animals That Helped BritainCreator: BBC NewsWith millions of horses needed for the war effort, people on the home front had the difficult task of finding replacements to assist with heavy labor. This 2013 article by Nick Tarver from BBC News explores how exotic animals, such as elephants, were put to work in Great Britain during the war.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.
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