ww1 stimulus pt1

Stimulus 1: Excerpt from Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points Speech (1918)

"The program of the world’s peace, therefore, is our program; and that program, the only possible program, as we see it, is this: Open covenants of peace, openly arrived at; absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas; the removal, so far as possible, of all economic barriers; and the establishment of an equality of trade conditions among all the nations consenting to the peace and associating themselves for its maintenance."

Which historical development most directly undermined Wilson’s vision outlined in this speech?

• The establishment of the League of Nations

• The imposition of harsh economic reparations on Germany

• The unrestricted submarine warfare policies of Germany

• The growing independence movements in European colonies

Stimulus 1: Excerpt from Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points Speech (1918)

"The program of the world’s peace, therefore, is our program; and that program, the only possible program, as we see it, is this: Open covenants of peace, openly arrived at; absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas; the removal, so far as possible, of all economic barriers; and the establishment of an equality of trade conditions among all the nations consenting to the peace and associating themselves for its maintenance."

How did Wilson’s ideals in this speech contrast with the reality of the postwar settlement?

• His call for self-determination was universally accepted and implemented

• The Treaty of Versailles fully embraced economic cooperation and free trade

• The European powers prioritized national security and territorial gains over Wilson’s idealism

• His points were primarily focused on punishing Germany rather than creating lasting peace

Stimulus 1: Excerpt from Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points Speech (1918)

"The program of the world’s peace, therefore, is our program; and that program, the only possible program, as we see it, is this: Open covenants of peace, openly arrived at; absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas; the removal, so far as possible, of all economic barriers; and the establishment of an equality of trade conditions among all the nations consenting to the peace and associating themselves for its maintenance."

Which of the following groups would have been most likely to oppose Wilson’s Fourteen Points?

• Nationalist movements in colonial territories

• European leaders like Georges Clemenceau and David Lloyd George

• American isolationists in the U.S. Senate

• Both B and C

Stimulus 2: Excerpt from Siegfried Sassoon’s "A Soldier’s Declaration" (1917)

"I am making this statement as an act of wilful defiance of military authority, because I believe that the war is being deliberately prolonged by those who have the power to end it. I am a soldier, convinced that I am acting on behalf of soldiers. I believe that the war upon which I entered as a war of defense and liberation has now become a war of aggression and conquest."

What broader shift in attitudes about World War I does this excerpt reflect?

• The growing support among soldiers for continued military engagement

• The widespread belief that the war had achieved its original objectives

• The increasing disillusionment with the war, particularly among front-line troops

• The conviction that military commanders were effectively managing the war effort

Stimulus 2: Excerpt from Siegfried Sassoon’s "A Soldier’s Declaration" (1917)

"I am making this statement as an act of wilful defiance of military authority, because I believe that the war is being deliberately prolonged by those who have the power to end it. I am a soldier, convinced that I am acting on behalf of soldiers. I believe that the war upon which I entered as a war of defense and liberation has now become a war of aggression and conquest."

Which of the following was a direct consequence of growing anti-war sentiment like Sassoon’s?

• Increased recruitment and enthusiasm for military service

• The adoption of total war strategies by European governments

• The implementation of censorship and suppression of dissenting voices

• The rapid end of hostilities and the early signing of peace treaties

Stimulus 2: Excerpt from Siegfried Sassoon’s "A Soldier’s Declaration" (1917)

"I am making this statement as an act of wilful defiance of military authority, because I believe that the war is being deliberately prolonged by those who have the power to end it. I am a soldier, convinced that I am acting on behalf of soldiers. I believe that the war upon which I entered as a war of defense and liberation has now become a war of aggression and conquest."

How does this declaration challenge the dominant justifications for war at the time?

• It suggests that military leaders were intentionally prolonging the war for strategic gains

• It argues that soldiers fully supported their governments' decisions

• It claims that the war had minimal impact on the lives of civilians

• It reinforces the idea that trench warfare was a highly effective strategy

Based on the data, which country suffered the highest total casualties?

• Germany

• Russia

• France

• Austria-Hungary

Which of the following best explains the high civilian death toll in Russia?

• The extensive use of chemical warfare on the Eastern Front

• Widespread famine, political instability, and revolutionary violence

• The Russian government’s aggressive conscription policies

• The increased reliance on trench warfare tactics

What broader historical trend does the high casualty count in World War I reflect?

• The growing use of advanced military technology, leading to unprecedented destruction

• The complete avoidance of civilian casualties due to modern tactics

• The increased reliance on diplomatic negotiations instead of combat

• The effectiveness of rapid, mobile warfare in minimizing death tolls

What does this poster reveal about the role of women in the war effort?

• Women were directly involved in combat operations

• Women were encouraged to pressure men into enlisting

• Women primarily opposed the war and refused to support it

• Women were not involved in any aspect of the war effort