Summary
In this lesson, students explore the causes of World War I by analyzing political cartoons from the time period. Students discuss how the causes relate to the components of the M.A.I.N acronym—militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism. At the end of the lesson, students create a chart with visual elements to summarize their learning.
Essential Question(s)
What were the causes of World War I? Why were so many nations involved in World War I?
Snapshot
Engage
Students brainstorm possible causes of war.
Explore
Students examine and categorize the multiple causes of World War I.
Explain
Students analyze a political cartoon about World War I.
Extend
Students create an Anchor Chart to explain their analysis of a political cartoon and describe how the cartoon relates to the causes of World War I.
Evaluate
Students present their Anchor Charts to the whole class and reflect on what they learned from the lesson.
Materials
Lesson Slides (attached)
M.A.I.N. Card Sort (attached; one set per three students)
M.A.I.N. Card Sort Teacher’s Notes document (attached)
T.A.C.O.S. Cartoon Analysis handout (attached; one per group)
T.A.C.O.S. Teacher’s Notes document (attached)
Political Cartoons handout (attached; one set per 21 students)
Anchor Chart Example document (attached)
Sticky notes (one per student)
Large poster paper (i.e., sticky easel pad or butcher paper; one per group)
Preparation
Prior to the lesson, print multiple copies of the attached M.A.I.N. Card Sort handout so that there is one set of cards for every three students. Cut apart the cards and store sets together. Consider laminating the cards or printing them on cardstock so they can be used in future classes.
Preparation
Prior to the lesson, print multiple copies of the attached M.A.I.N. Card Sort handout so that there is one set of cards for every three students. Cut apart the cards and store sets together. Consider laminating the cards or printing them on cardstock so they can be used in future classes.
Engage
15 Minute(s)
Use the attached Lesson Slides to guide the lesson. Review the essential questions and lesson objective on slides 3–4.
Give each student one sticky note. Display slide 5 and share the question, “What causes a nation to go to or participate in a war?” Have students brainstorm a response to the question on their sticky notes. Then, have students place their sticky notes in an area like on a whiteboard or on a large piece of chart paper.
Read aloud some of the sticky notes students placed in the space. As you read them, group sticky notes with similar themes to help students see similar responses. Guide a class discussion about students’ responses and invite students to elaborate on their responses.
Explore
15 Minute(s)
Organize students into groups of three, and give each group one of the prepared M.A.I.N. Card Sort sets. Display slide 6 and share the Card Sort strategy with students. Tell students that the cards should be sorted into one of four categories, also represented by cards, including militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism. Share that each sorting card should be sorted into the category it belongs to.
Allow students time to sort the cards. Then, check for understanding by making sure that each group has the correct cards sorted into the correct categories.
Explain
20 Minute(s)
Share that students should now deepen their understanding of the causes of World War I by analyzing political cartoons. Explain that political cartoons often depict a visual image of a historical or current event. Share that all political cartoonists express their opinions through their political cartoons.
Have students remain in their group of three. Pass out one copy of the attached T.A.C.O.S. Cartoon Analysis handout to each group. Display slide 7 and introduce the T.A.C.O.S. strategy, elaborating on what each letter of the acronym stands for.
Give each group one political cartoon from the attached Political Cartoons document. The document includes seven cartoons, one for each group of students. If your class has more than 21 students, print additional copies of the cartoons as needed.
Provide time for students to analyze their cartoons and complete the T.A.C.O.S. Cartoon Analysis handout.
Extend
30 Minute(s)
Display slide 8 and introduce the Anchor Chart strategy to students. Share that students should transform their political cartoon analysis into an Anchor Chart. Give each group one large sheet of poster paper and a variety of markers.
Review the requirements for the Anchor Charts then have students begin working. Walk around the room to monitor student progress.
Evaluate
30 Minute(s)
Tell students that they should now prepare to present their Anchor Charts to the whole class. Share that each group should explain each part of their political cartoon, share the information on their charts, and describe how their political cartoon explains a cause of World War I.
The assigned political cartoons are included on slides 9–15. As each group presents, display the slide with the corresponding cartoon.
Once all groups have presented, show slide 16. Lead a class discussion about the overall factors that led to World War I using the following questions on the slide:
Which of the M.A.I.N. categories may have been the most important factor in leading to war?
If one of the M.A.I.N. categories wasn’t a factor, would the war still have occurred?
Which categories of M.A.I.N. can be seen in our world today? Do they create a cause for concern?
Resources
K20 Center. (n.d.). Anchor chart. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/58
K20 Center. (n.d.). Card sort. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/147
K20 Center. (n.d.). T.A.C.O.S. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/1196