About Unit 8

💭 Essential Question: How did global conflicts in the 20th century reshape socio-political ideologies, geopolitical dominance, and the lives of ordinary people?

World War I: America’s Role and Impact examines the United States’ involvement in the First World War and the profound effects it had on the nation and its people. Students will explore the political, economic, and social factors that led to America’s entry into the war, as well as the domestic and international consequences of its participation. The unit will highlight key figures, military strategies, and the experiences of soldiers and civilians alike, with a particular focus on how the war reshaped American society, from shifts in industry and labor to the expansion of government power.

Additionally, students will analyze the war’s impact on minority groups, including African Americans, women, and immigrants, as they navigated new opportunities and challenges on the home front. Through a critical examination of propaganda, wartime policies, and postwar diplomacy, students will assess how World War I influenced America’s global standing and set the stage for future conflicts. The unit culminates in an annotated source collection, where students will engage with primary and secondary sources to evaluate the lasting significance of America’s involvement in World War I and its broader implications for the 20th century.