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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Over the TopInteractive AdventureCreator: Canadian War MuseumBased on the real life experiences of Canadian soldiers, this interactive adventure from the Canadian War Museum allows players to become a soldier in the trenches with one goal in mind: survival. Players use their newly gained knowledge of World War I, plus common sense and a bit of luck, to decide their own fate in the trenches.Play Online |
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Life in a TrenchCreator: HISTORY®Trenches stretched for thousands of miles across the Western Front. This short video by HISTORY® explores how the millions of soldiers lived and fought in the trenches. (4 min) TV-PGWatch on HISTORY.com |
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The Christmas TruceWinter 1914Creator: National WWI Museum and MemorialThe Christmas Truce, Winter 1914 is an online exhibition from the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Read essays by noted historians and explore firsthand accounts from soldiers themselves. Then decide for yourself the real story behind the Christmas Truce.View Online |
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World War I: The Great WarVeterans History Project StoriesCreator: Library of CongressPart of the Veterans History Project, World War I: The Great War uses original letters, diaries, memoirs, and precious photographs to tell the story of First World War veterans.View Online |
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U.S. Entry to WWIWhat caused the United States to enter World War I?Creator: Stanford History Education GroupIn 1917, President Woodrow Wilson declared that neutrality in the Great War was "no longer feasible" and that the U.S. had to intervene to make the world "safe for democracy." What changed between 1914 and 1917 that caused the U.S. to enter WWI? In this lesson, students address this question as they corroborate a textbook account with two documents: a speech by President Wilson and an excerpt from Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States.Download Files |
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World War One Through Arab EyesCreator: Al Jazeera EnglishThis video series from Al Jazeera English tells the story of the First World War from an Arab perspective. In the three-part series, each episode lasting approximately 45 minutes, Tunisian writer and broadcaster Malek Triki presents viewers with an often-forgotten perspective of the war. World War One Through Arab Eyes is also available to view on YouTube.Watch Online |
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World War I PoetryTopics in Chronicling AmericaCreator: Library of CongressThese pages from historic newspapers document poetry written about—and often by—soldiers of the First World War.Explore Online |
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Lafayette Escadrille: American Aviators in World War IChronicling America: American Historic NewspapersCreator: Library of CongressThe Lafayette Escadrille was a French flying squadron comprised of American volunteers. These volunteers captured the imaginations of the American public when local newspapers printed stories of their daring missions. These newspaper articles are available in the Chronicling America: American Historic Newspapers digital collection from the Library of Congress.Read Online |
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American Response to the Armenian GenocideCreator: Facing History and OurselvesStarting in early 1915, Ottoman Turks began expelling and killing hundreds of thousands of Armenians in the first major genocide of the 20th century. The lesson plan from Facing History and Ourselves explores American responses, both government and humanitarian, to the Armenian Genocide and asks students to analyze the larger question of U.S. intervention in another nation's internal affairs.View Online |
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The American Red Cross in World War IChronicling America: American Historic NewspapersCreator: Library of CongressThe Library of Congress provides a sampling of original newspaper articles about the American Red Cross during the Great War in their Chronicling America: American Historic Newspapers digital collection.Read Online |
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Centennial Countdown to the Great WarCreator: Dennis CrossWritten by Dennis Cross, this blog reviews the events of war one hundred years ago to the date. Each month, Cross creates a full article on the war's events with an extensive list of sources and recommended readings.Read Online |
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The Road to WarThe First World War, Part 1 (Film Series)Creator: MacArthur MemorialIn 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 the events leading up to World War I in Europe. Included is a short viewing exercise (PDF) that can be used in your classroom.Watch Online, Download PDF |
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The Best Laid PlansThe First World War, Part 2 (Film Series)Creator: MacArthur MemorialPart 2 of a video series on World War I, this 7 minute film covers the start of the war and the Schlieffen Plan. In August 1914, the nations of Europe march enthusiastically to war. Capturing the mood of the time, famed sociologist Max Weber declares: "Regardless of outcome, this war is great and wonderful." With war plans like Germany's Schlieffen Plan and France's Plan XVII in place, each side is confident in early August that they can secure a quick victory. What they ultimately discover is that war is easy to plan... until it actually starts.Watch Online, Download PDF |
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StalemateThe First World War, Part 3 (Film Series)Creator: MacArthur MemorialPart 3 of a video series on World War I, this 6 minute film explores the First Battle of the Marne and the stalemate that followed on the Western Front. Included are a short viewing exercise and a critical thinking and primary sources worksheet (PDFs) that can be used in your classroom. More related resources are available on MacArthur Memorial's website.Watch Online, Download Viewing Exercise (PDF), Download Critical Thinking and Primary Sources (PDF) |
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The Rhyme of HistoryLessons from the Great WarCreator: Margaret MacMillan for The Brookings EssayFrom The Brookings Essay, noted historian and University of Oxford professor Margaret MacMillan takes a critical look at the parallels between the rise of globalization and nationalism before WWI and today in this long-form essay.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:
