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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The USA Before Joining World War 1Creator: The Great War YouTube ChannelIn 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 Neidell narrates this overview of the Mexican Revolution, economic repercussions of the war, diplomatic responses, humanitarian efforts, and more.Watch Online |
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Chavaniac, We are Here!Creator: Département de la Haute-LoireThese documents, supported by the French Centennial commission, look at the U.S. entry to WWI and its continued impact through the specific story of Château de Chavaniac-Lafayette. Originally created for an exhibition, you can explore this history through panels written in French, or through an interpretive pamphlet with much of the same content in English.Download Pamphlet (pdf) in English/en anglais, Download Panels (pdf) in French/en français |
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Document Based QuestionUnited States Enters WWI: Weighing the Decision to Enter the WarCreator: National WWI Museum and MemorialThe United States’ decision to declare war on Germany in 1917 was not made lightly. While many citizens supported the declaration of war, there were many that stood opposed. These primary sources represent arguments made by both sides of the issue as the nation wrestled with a decision that would forever change the United States’ role in global affairs.Download PDF |
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World War ICreator: National History DayNational History Day developed a teacher resource to connect teachers and students to the best research and resources for teaching the 100th anniversary of World War I. NHD worked with partner organizations, including HISTORY®, the National Archives and Records Administration, the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, the National World War I Museum and Memorial, and Army, Naval, and Marine Corps historical organizations to find interesting, unique primary sources.Download Files |
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World War I DeclarationsTopics in Chronicling AmericaCreator: Library of CongressArticles from historical newspapers document the news coverage of many nations' declarations of war at the onset of the First World War.View Online |
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World War I: What Are We Fighting For Over There?Creator: Library of CongressThe Great War of 1914-1918 significantly shaped the course of the twentieth century, both at home and abroad. How can this pivotal event be personalized and brought to life for students in the new millennium? Students will use historical primary sources to explore different perspectives on American involvement in the First World War. What Are We Fighting For Over There? consists of three lessons which can be taught sequentially over the course of four weeks. It is also possible to use a single lesson if time constraints do not permit devoting four weeks to the study of World War I.Explore Online |
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WWI Maker ActivityLetter WritingCreator: Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-HIn a time before emails and text messages, soldiers in World War I relied on written letters to communicate with their loved ones back home. In these maker activities from the Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H, young students will learn more about the importance of communication for soldiers both past and present. With this activity, students are encourage to write letters to current service members.Letter Writing - Handout (PDF), The History Behind it, Writing (PDF), The Science Behind it, Communication (PDF), Letter from Harry Truman to Bess Wallace (Written) (PDF), Letter from Harry Truman to Bess Wallace (Transcribed) (PDF) |
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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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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:
