Was the First World War a war that could be won?
Cause and Consequence
Students will explore the results of Canada’s participation in the Trenches of The First World War (along the Western Front in Northern France and Southern Belgium). These trenches required: adaptation to living conditions, the creation of new weapons and battle strategies, and the ultimate sacrifice for the war.
Themes:
Battles, First World War
Levels:
Intermediate, Secondary
PDF (199.8 KB)
Activation: Why did Canada get involved in the First World War?
Exploration: How do you know that you've won or lost in war?
Discussion: Was the First World War a war that could be won?
Lesson Duration
1 class period (75 minutes)
Lesson Materials
- Canada Goes to War: Quotations Worksheet (or projected)
- Trench Warfare Sources (collection of images and source material)
- Trench Warfare Worksheet
- First World War Battles Worksheet (Optional)
Preparation
Label three "zones" in your classroom: Living, Fighting, Dying.
Notes for Educators
You can vary the number of trench sources used. The list provided can be expanded or shortened as desired.
Additional Resources
The Canadian War Museum’s Supply Line Discovery Box and supporting materials are an interesting opportunity to bring original and reproduction artifacts into your classroom.
Canadian War Museum’s “Over the Top” interactive game
This BBC website provides a wide variety of resources useful in exploring the experience of soldiers who fought in the trenches of The First World War.
“The Great War” website is a resource of collected information and primary sources relevant to students in all provinces, on a wide variety of topics from The First World War including an interesting section on the “Faces of War” and on the “Battlefront” relevant to this lesson. Also included in this website is a section called “Songs from WWI”.
Photo Credit: Canadian War Museum
PDF (199.8 KB)
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