The US Entry into World War I: Interpretations

History
Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
8 questions
~16 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

This worksheet explores different historical interpretations of why the United States entered World War I, encouraging students to analyze contrasting viewpoints and develop their own evaluations.

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The US Entry into World War I: Interpretations

Subject: HistoryGrade: Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
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Untitled Worksheet

Grade Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
A

Contrasting Historians' Views on US Entry into WWI

Historian A: John Smith – Economic Perspective "John Smith argues that the primary reason for US entry was economic gain. He states that American businesses sought to expand their markets and profit from wartime trade, which influenced political decisions. Smith emphasizes the role of economic interests in prompting President Wilson to join the war, highlighting the influence of financial and commercial pressures on foreign policy. He suggests that economic motives were more significant than ideological or moral reasons in the US decision to enter the conflict."

Historian B: Emily Johnson – Social Perspective "Emily Johnson contends that social factors, such as American ideals of democracy and the desire to promote peace, were the main reasons for US involvement. She emphasizes the impact of public opinion, patriotic sentiments, and the desire to uphold democratic values, especially after the sinking of passenger ships like the Lusitania. Johnson believes that moral and social considerations played a crucial role in shaping US policy, contrasting with the purely economic view."

B

Questions

1.
Summarize each historian's view on why the US entered WWI.
[3 marks]
2.
Compare the two historians' perspectives. Why do they differ?
[4 marks]
3.
Evaluate which historian's view you find more convincing and explain why.
[6 marks]
4.
Explain how economic and social reasons could have both influenced the US decision to enter WWI.
[4 marks]
5.
Outline the importance of public opinion in shaping US policy during WWI.
[3 marks]
6.
Describe how economic interests might have motivated US businesses to support war involvement.
[3 marks]
7.
Compare how each historian uses evidence to support their argument.
[4 marks]
8.
Explain why understanding different interpretations of history is important.
[3 marks]

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Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
worksheet