World War I and the Changing Role of Women

Social Studies American History The United States in the 20th Century World War I and the Changing Role of Women
Students first consider when and why the Great War was renamed World War I. Then they learn basic facts about WWI, including the U.S. role in the war. Next they examine the role of women on the home front and create a timeline of key events leading to the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment. Finally, they learn about the source of Veteran’s Day and write a speech for a Veteran’s Day ceremony.

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Overview

In this experience, students first consider when and why the Great War was renamed World War I. Then they learn basic facts about WWI, including the U.S. role in the war. Next they examine the role of women on the home front and create a timeline of key events leading to the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment. Finally, they learn about the source of Veterans Day and write a speech for a Veterans Day ceremony.

If you have access to leveled readers about World War I or about the Suffragette Movement, assign them to the students in parallel to this experience.

Estimated duration: 40-50 minutes

Vocabulary words:

  • evolve
  • rival
  • home front
  • ammunition
  • status
  • armistice

Objectives

  • Describe the role of the United States in World War I.
  • Explain how the women's rights movement achieved women's suffrage.


Engage


Recall that two early wars involving the United States—the American Revolution and the War of 1812—both took place while other wars were occurring among European countries. Early in the twentieth century Europe was at war again, and the United States became involved. In this experience, you will learn about World War I and the change it brought in women’s role in American society.

Objectives

  • Describe the role of the United States in World War I.
  • Explain how the women's rights movement achieved women's suffrage.


Photo of the Chicago Tribune newspaper from November 11, 1918, headline reads “Great War Ends”

What modern historians call World War I — or the First World War — was originally called the Great War, or the War to End All Wars. Think about what you may know about U.S. or world history, and suggest when or why the name was changed. If you don’t know, use your imagination to come up with a reason for the change.

Post your answer

Students may be able to reason that historians generally started using the term World War I around 1939, near or after the outbreak of World War II. However, some historians consider these names misleading. The Seven Years War and the Napoleonic Wars both took place on multiple continents and caused severe disruption to global trade. In some ways, the war of 1914-1918 was mainly a European conflict—all the key fronts that decided the outcome were located in Europe.


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