Historical Sources on World War I

Although World War I started in summer 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the United States didn’t enter the war until April 1917. Students will learn about the United States’ initial decision to remain neutral, the cost of this decision, and the effects of the war both abroad and at home. They’ll hear directly from the words of civilians, soldiers, politicians, and doctors involved in the conflict. Through this cross-section of individuals, students will come to understand how the Great War not only changed the face of Europe but changed America and the nature of international warfare.