1917 War Declaration & Mobilization – Readers Theater Script (Grades 11-12)

Students re‑create Wilson’s war message and Congress’s dramatic vote.

Focus: Students re‑create Wilson’s war message and Congress’s dramatic vote.

Summary:
Ten scenes move from U‑boat outrage to enlistment rallies as the U.S. commits troops to Europe.

Script Summary:

• Wilson cites submarine attacks & Zimmermann plot.
• Newspapers inflame anti‑German feeling.
• Senate and House debate the war resolution.
• Volunteers surge; draft plans take shape.
• Wilson frames war as fight for democracy.

What’s Included:

(a single PDF with links to Google Docs/Slides, if print format is preferred you can download from your Google Drive to word/pdf/ppt/etc)

• Readers Theater script (9 pages, 10 scenes, 14‑15 characters, editable Google Doc/PDF)
• Teacher Guide (10 pages) with scene summaries, primary‑source context, CCSS alignment, discussion questions
• Student Worksheet deck (25 Google Slides) covering vocabulary, short‑answer, analysis & extension tasks
• 20‑question self‑grading Google Forms quiz

Skills Addressed:

• Analyzing Wilson’s war speech
• Role‑play legislative debate
• Assessing war powers & propaganda
• SAT vocab: belligerent, vindication

The worksheet deepens learning with:

• 10 text‑based comprehension questions
• 5 higher‑order analysis prompts
• 5 optional research extension questions (use of primary‑source links)