CRASH!

A WebQuest for 10th grade American History

World War I

Frank Hunter - 2006

Last updated October 17, 2006

#1 Introduction

New Years Eve 1899 most Europeans (and Americans too) believed the world was on the verge of unparalleled success. To them the future looked rosy. European society boasted of the greatest philosophers, scientific advances, industrial might, and standard of living. There wasn’t anything mankind couldn’t do if it put its mind to the task! European culture was supreme!

Yet, there were warning signs that all was not well. Still the world was shocked when the “airplane of Europe” came crashing down that fateful day in August. The question that was on everybody’s lips was “How could this happen?...and Why?"

#2 Task

You are a NTSB team (National Transportation and Safety Board) assigned to investigate the major causes of this “airplane disaster”.

Like any other great disaster your group must present its findings. You have three major tasks to do. First, you are to find the five fundamental causes of World War I. Second, you are to analyze the last twelve events that occurred leading up to the start of the war. Finally your team will design a peace plan so that this tragedy will never happen again.

#3 Process

1. The class will be divided into groups of 4.
2. Each group will have the following:
• One keyboarder—a person who will perform the various computer tasks including the development of the power points.
• Two researchers—two people who search the web for information pertaining to the tasks.
• One team leader—Who keeps the group on task, helps with the research, and contribute to the construction of the power points. This person will also chair the "peace conference".

3. The first task is for each group to analyze the 4 major causes of World War I. Use one Data Sheet for each cause.

a. Review the information at this address: http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW1/causes.htm.
b. Do the same here:http://www.worldwar1.com/.
c. Write an analysis of each cause.
d. Determine which nations were the principle participants and the roles they played.
e. Create a power point presentation of seven to ten slides to present your findings.

4. Your second task is to analyze the twelve events beginning with June 28, 1914 and ending with August 4, 1914 and how each event deepened the crisis. Create a power point that reflects your findings.

a. June 28, 1914
b. July 6, 1914
c. July 23, 1914
d. July 25, 1914
e. July 27, 1914
f. July 28, 1914
g. July 30, 1914
h. July 31, 1914
i. Aug 1, 1914
j. Aug 2, 1914
k. Aug 3, 1914
l. Aug 4, 1914

http://www.brainyhistory.com

http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/ww1/photoessay.htm

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/rotogravures/rototime1.html

5. Your final assignment will be to analyze all the data your team has collected and write a peace treaty that would help the world avoid the same problems that caused this terrible war.

#4 Evaluation

Your work will be evaluated by the rubrics found at the links listed below. How do you think you did?

Rubic

Peace Treaty Rubric

#5 Conclusion

Your group has created a working document that you hope would stop a war like this from ever happening again. Share your findings with the other student groups in the class. How does yours compare with the other groups? Discuss how they are similiar or different. Do you think your group's peace plan will work?

Next click on the link below and see how your work compares to the 14-Points created by President Woodrow Wilson. How does your plan compare to his?

http://www.ourdocuments.gov

#6 Credits and References

Designed by Frank Hunter, 2006,HUNTERF@wgsd.org with West Greene School District in partnership with An Adventure of the American Mind at Waynesburg College. Last updated November 13, 2006.

Template created April 2006 by Amy Martin, An Adventure of the American Mind at Waynesburg based on a template designed by Lisa Bradshaw, An Adventure of the American Mind - Colorado.

Many ideas for webquest content and worksheets were adapted by permission from An Adventure of the American Mind - Northern Virginia Partnership, Dr. Rhonda Clevenson, Director.