The year 1919 was transformative around the world
The year 1919 was transformative around the world, including in the United States. On the global stage, troops returned home from World War I; the Treaty of Versailles was signed; and the idea of self-determination, fueled by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s desire for a liberal international order, took hold. Within the United States, a new era of modernity was born with innovation, consumerism, and a "return to normalcy" defining the interwar period. As we look back 100 years, many of the ideas that came to prominence that year have helped to shape the politics and culture of 2019.To help students analyze 1919, Carnegie Council has created high school level world and U.S. history resources based on opinion pieces from The New York Times’ "1919: The Year of the Crack Up" series and Carnegie Council Senior Fellow Ted Widmer’s accompanying podcast. The world history section focuses on Asia and how the Treaty of Versailles, Woodrow Wilson's "Fourteen Points," and the contributions of a diverse set of nations to the World War I effort helped to shape politics in China, Korea, India, and Japan. The U.S. history section has readings and worksheets on the social, economic, and political developments of the early 20th century. Topics include the significance of the America's new role as a superpower and how immigration, gender, and race shaped domestic politics and identity.
Global History
Why did Woodrow Wilson Promote the Concept of "Self-Determination"?
The attached excerpted reading and worksheet helps students to understand whether U.S. President Woodrow Wilson intended for the "14 points" to inspire groups around the world to appeal for greater self-governance.
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Why is the May 4th Movement a Turning Point in Modern Chinese History?
The readings and worksheets provided allow students to analyze why the May 4th Movement started, how it spread across the country, and how it altered the course of modern Chinese history.
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How did the Treaty of Versailles Influence Japanese Foreign Policy After World War I?
The attached excerpted reading and worksheet helps students to understand how rewards and concessions presented in the Treaty of Versailles influenced Japanese foreign policy after World War I.
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To What Extent Did the March 1st Movement Help Shape Modern Korean Nationhood?
High school level readings and worksheets that explore how the Korean March 1st Movement began, how it was influenced by Woodrow Wilson's "Fourteen Points," and whether or not it was a success.
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Why Did the Amritsar Massacre Occur in the Context of 1919?
In this worksheet and reading, students will analyze what happened during the Amritsar Massacre, how the context of post World War I led to tensions between Indians and the British, and how the Massacre became a major turning point in 20th century Indian history.
Learn MoreU.S. History:
Why Did Nativists Support Prohibition?
Powerpoint, lesson plan, and worksheet that allows students to analyze the relationship between the passage of the 18th Amendment its support by nativist groups like the KKK.
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Was Theodore Roosevelt a Conservative or a Progressive?
This reading and worksheet allows students to analyze Teddy Roosevelt's complicated political legacy. How did he fit into the Republican Party during his time? Where would he fit on the political spectrum today?
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Why was Debsian Socialism and Its Reaction a Product of his Time?
Two readings and worksheets alllow students to analyze why Eugene Debs adopted his socialist views and how the government reacted to him and fellow socialists during World War One.
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How did Woodrow Wilson’s Background as a Historian Influence his Decision-Making as President?
A reading and questions about how United States president Woodrow Wilson was influenced in his international decision-making by his background of a Ph.D. in history.
Learn MoreCumulative World History Questions/Projects
100 years later: Using the four countries provided in the worksheets, evaluate the role of Wilson's "Fourteen Points" and/or the Treaty of Versailles in the development of those countries over the past 100 years. How significant was the year 1919 to their nationhood?
Ethics: How responsible/ethical was it for Woodrow Wilson to have spread the idea of self-determination in 1918 and 1919? Explain your reasoning using information from the worksheets as well as outside knowledge.