Alabama Social Studies SS24.US2.1e
The Standard
- SS24.US2.1
- Summarize conflicting viewpoints over the United States’ role in the world from the Spanish-American War to its entry into World War I.
Summarize the events and factors that led to the United States entry into World War I.
2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students explain why the United States moved from neutrality to war in 1917. They connect trade with the Allies, German submarine attacks, and the Zimmermann Telegram to the decision to enter the war.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can put key events in order and separate long-term pressures from immediate triggers. They can explain why the 1915 sinking of the Lusitania did not lead to an immediate declaration of war.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think the Lusitania sinking brought the United States into the war in 1915. Some think Mexico accepted Germany's proposal in the Zimmermann Telegram, or that trade alone explains the decision to fight.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Why did the United States declare war in 1917 rather than after the Lusitania sank in 1915? Include one long-term pressure and two events from 1917.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs dated cards for the Lusitania sinking, renewed submarine attacks, publication of the Zimmermann Telegram, and the war declaration; have them build a timeline.
Read an excerpt from Wilson's April 1917 war message and ask, 'Does Wilson stress protecting ships or defending democracy more?'
Play a card sort: teams place trade with the Allies, the Lusitania sinking, renewed submarine attacks, and the Zimmermann Telegram under pressure or trigger.
Show a map of Atlantic shipping lanes and ask how threats to cargo ships could affect store prices and government decisions today.
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Related Standards
- SS24.5.5
Summarize the primary causes and consequences of World War I.
- SS24.US2.1
Summarize conflicting viewpoints over the United States’ role in the world from the Spanish-American War to its entry into World War I.
- SS24.5.5a
Identify and explain international events that led to the United States’ entry into World War I.
- SS24.US2.6
Trace the progression of events and policies leading to World War II and the United States’ entry into the war.
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