Comparative Essay1914-Present

Directions Answer the following question. You should spend 5

minutes organizing your essay. Write an essay that Has a relevant thesis and supports that thesis with

appropriate historical evidence. Addresses all parts of the question. Makes direct, relevant comparisons. Analyzes relevant reasons for similarities and differences.

Discuss the similarities and differences between World War I and World War II, using ONE of the following points of comparison.

CausesEffects on civiliansEffects on colonial areasThe global effects of the war

The Question

Discuss the similarities and differences between World War I and World War II, using ONE of the following points of comparison.

Causes

Effects on civilians

Effects on colonial areas

The global effects of the war

Turn prompt into two questions

WWI What led to the World War

I?OR

How did WWI impact civilians (non-combatants) in the countries involved?

OR

How were colonized areas affected by this war?

OR

How did this war change the world after the war?

WWII

What led to World War IIOR

How did WWII impact civilians (non-combatants) in the countries involved?

OR

How were colonized areas affected by this war?

OR

How did this war change the world after the war?

Select one are to compare and make notes

Causes of World War I

Military build up

Alliances forced countries into conflict

Imperialist desires led to conflicts among Europeans

Nationalism, especially in Balkans where different ethnic groups aimed for self-determination

Causes of WWII

Military build up – Hitler violates treaty, Japan uses military to build empire

Drives for empires – Japan in China, Italy in Ethiopia, Germany in Eastern Europe

Appeasement – actions not taken to prevent the war

Ultra-nationalism in Germany, Italy and Japan led to military conquests

Label similarities and differences

Causes of World War I

Military build up

Alliances forced countries into conflict

Imperialist desires led to conflicts among Europeans

Nationalism, especially in Balkans where different ethnic groups aimed for self-determination

Causes of WWII

Military build up – Hitler violates treaty, Japan uses military to build empire

Drives for empires – Japan in China, Italy in Ethiopia, Germany in Eastern Europe

Appeasement – actions not taken to prevent the war of aggression

Ultra-nationalism in Germany, Italy and Japan led to military conquests

S S

SS

SSD

D

D

Write your thesis statement

Start simple if you are stuck – don’t stay stuck

EXAMPLE (8th Grade)There were some similarities and some differences in the causes of the two world wars.

EXAMPLE 2 (9th Grade)Although World War I and World War II began differently, they had many similar causes.

EXAMPLE 3 (10th Grade)Despite having differences , the tensions leading to World War II parallel those that caused World War I.

Write your thesis statement

EXAMPLES (AP)While the Great War erupted over the assassination of Franz Ferdinand and the chain reaction within the alliance system, World War II began as a war of aggression and military expansion. Despite the difference in the immediate causes, nationalist aspirations, militarism, and territorial expansion contributed to the outbreak of the two global wars.

OR

Nationalist aspirations, militarism, and territorial expansion contributed to the outbreak of two global wars, although they manifested in different ways.