Task: Examine Primary Documents to better understand America's march to World War One.

Big Question: Could the United States realistically have stayed out of the war?

You are going to break into groups of four and examine the following Primary Documents regarding America's march to war.

Instructions:

1. Look over the document that your group has been assigned - Split up the speech anyway you want and take notes on the speech
2. Discuss the following questions with your group in relation to America's march towards its involvement in WWI

• What is the point of the document? Explain its importance.
• Is it biased? How?
• Give a brief overview of the important issues in the document?
• What are the arguments for war?
• Is there any historical evidence that supports the decision?
• How does it build on events that led to America's involvement?
• Do you believe this drives the United States in the direction of war?
• Is it obvious that they are going to war when war breaks out in 1914?

Documents:

Primary Documents: Germany's Appeal to Americans, August 1914

Primary Documents: U.S. Declaration of Neutrality, 19 August 1914

Primary Documents: U.S. 'Strict Accountability' Warning to Germany, 10 February 1915

Primary Documents: U.S. Ultimatum to Germany Regarding Unrestricted U-Boat Warfare, 18 April 1916

Primary Documents: Peace Without Victory, 22 January 1917

Primary Documents: Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg's Speech to the Reichstag Regarding Unrestricted Submarine Warfare, 31 January 1917

Primary Documents: Germany's Policy of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare, 31 January 1917

Primary Documents: President Wilson's Speech to Congress Regarding Unrestricted U-Boat Warfare, 3 February 1917

Primary Documents: President Woodrow Wilson's Inauguration Address, 4 March 1917

Primary Documents: Arthur Zimmermann on the Zimmermann Telegram, 29 March 1917

Woodrow Wilson: Request for Declaration of War, 2 Apr. 1917

Primary Documents: U.S. Declaration of War with Germany, 2 April 1917

Primary Documents: "Do Your Bit For America", 15 April 1917

You will be preparing a BRIEF explanation for the class (2-3 minutes max!). We will then be discussing the question:

Was the United States entrance into the war inevitable?