The USA and World War I 4219-SA009-OG

The course will examine the most important domestic and international problems that faced the American government and people in the years 1914-1921. We will discuss the question of neutrality (both formal and actual of America between 1914 and 1917). That includes the pro-Ally and pro-German attitudes of many Americans to whom the bonds with their, or their ancestors' old countries were as important as their loyalty to new one. Then the causes of joining the war by USA in 1917 and decisive role of the power in defeating Germany will be examined. Finally, we will analyze Woodrow Wilson's 14 Point program of ending the war and creating a system of global security against the wars in future. The causes and circumstances of his political defeat in 1919-1921 will be discussed as well. That Wilson's failure we will analyze against the background of other results of World War One, both international and domestic ones (like tensions between USA and Japan, prohibition or women's suffrage). The sources materials will include speeches, press articles, memoirs and diplomatic papers of the period between 1914 and 1921.

Type of course

general courses

Course coordinators

Zbigniew Kwiecień

Learning outcomes

Upon completing this course student:
1. KNOWLEDGE
a/ Has in-depth knowledge of the place and meaning of the Great War of 1914 - 1918 for US and World history
b/ Recognizes the dynamics and consequences of the changes in political, social and economic life of the United Staes brought about by the World WarI
c/ Understands the role of legacy of that war in American culture

2. SKILLS
a/ Identifies and recognizes relations between the position of a Great Power in the world and the global situation
b/ Critically analyzes and interprets various propositions concerning the understanding and evaluation of US role in all the duration of World War I
c/ Interprets the dynamics of political and military phenomena of WorldWar I in American and, generally, non-European dimension

3. COMPETENCES
a/ Is aware of the role of legacy of World War I for understanding of the international role of the USA by a citizen of contemporary United States
b/ Understands and appreciates the role of a part played by their nation in ending the great international conflict for the process of integration of American people
c/ Is able to to formulate his or her own opinion about controversies in American and European views on meaning of United States' role in World War I

Assessment criteria

Active participation in the classes (40%); presentation on one of the subjects discussed, chosen by student and approved by teacher (30%); 5-page end of semester essay on a subject on a subject accepted by teacher (30%) and a short interview with teacher before the deadline for graduation.

In a case of course taught online only:

Active participation in the classes (10%); presentation on one of the subjects discussed, chosen by student and approved by teacher (25%); quizzes at some classes (20%); comments on chosen fragments of primary sources assigned to the 2 – 4-person groups (20%); and a 5 page end of semester essay on a subject accepted by teacher (25%).

Bibliography

* Annals of America Chicago 1976, t. 13 i 14
* Henry S. Commager (ed.) Documents of American History 9th edition, Englewood Cliffs, N. Jersey 1973, t. 2
* Anna Cipriano Venzon (ed.) The United States In the First Word War. An Encyclopedia N. York-London 1995

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 4219-SA009-OG in USOSweb