Grade 8 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 18, Lesson 3

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
A More Perfect Union

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 18, Lesson 3: America at War (pp. 541-546)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Conflict Although the United States tried to remain neutral, it was eventually drawn in World War I, where American troops and supplies contributed to the Allied victory.

Contrast the rivalries and the alliance system that drew the European powers into war with the actions that caused the United States to move from neutrality to declaring war in 1917.

Outline the effects of new and deadly weapons, and the inconclusive nature of trench warfare. Point out the advantage that fresh American troops and supplies provided under these conditions.

Lesson Outline
Use the Lesson Outline to preview the content of the lesson. You may wish to print it for your students as a guide during reading.

Check for Understanding

Have students write a letter home as a U.S. soldier, nurse, or ambulance driver on the front. Letters should describe conditions and experiences in battle as well as feelings that an American might have had about whether or not the United States should even be fighting in this war.
Have students work in groups to design a recruiting poster encouraging U.S. men and women to join the war effort. Students should study the posters shown on pages 543 and 544 as examples. When finished, have groups share and discuss their posters.

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