1. Should The U.S. Enter the War?
World War 1

2. Pair-Share
Europe is at war. The United States is sitting on the sidelines…
1. Under what circumstances should the U.S. get involved?
2. Should we trade with each side/only one or none at all?
3. What action, if any, should we take if American lives are lost?
4.Since America is made up of both English and German immigrants – how should/will they react if and when we get involved in the war?

3. Essential Question
Did the Russian Revolution and the entry of the United States affect the course and outcome of the war?

4. While the war in the Western Front (France) dragged on in the trenches, the war on the Eastern Front remained brutal.
By 1917, the Russians had lost over 5.5 million men to death, injury, or prisoner of war.

5. The Russian Ruler, Czar Nicholas II, commanded the Russian military
The Russian Ruler, Czar Nicholas II, commanded the Russian military. He was a disaster, and in March 1917 he was forced to abdicate.

6. Film Clip: Communism & the Soviet Union

7. What countries are considered to be on the “Eastern Front”?
In which part of Russia is the area of most unrest and resistance?

8. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity… Russian Revolution Propaganda

9. Democracy came to Russia.
In November 1917, Lenin signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, ending Russian involvement in the war.
In 1917, the Czar abdicated.
Democracy came to Russia.
The Russians set up Soviets – the local branches of workers parties.
In November 1917 Lenin and the Bolsheviks took over power in Russia.
Lenin’s Bolshevik party changed its name to Communists – after Karl Marx’s classless society.

10. Check for Understanding
Predict what will be the effects on the Allies in WWI when Russia leaves the war.

11. Complete Worksheet: Should the U.S. Enter WWI?

12. At the same time Russia leaves the war, the United States enters the war…why do you think they retreated from their policy of isolationism? 12

13. Film Clip: The U.S. Enters the War

14. January 1917, Germany announces Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

15. In March 1915, German submarines sunk the British ship the Lusitania, killing 128 U.S. citizens.

16. The British decoded the telegram and gave it to the USA.
On April 2, 1917, President Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany.
In February 1917, the British intercepted a telegram from the German foreign minister, Arthur Zimmerman, to the German ambassador in Mexico City.
The British decoded the telegram and gave it to the USA.

17. Check for Understanding
What do you predict was the major reason why the United States changed it’s foreign policy of isolationism to interventionism?