How important is food to the outcome of war? Scholars investigate the impact of starvation on the home front of European nations during the First World War. They view a short video clip from the 32-part Great War series to analyze the need for food and the impact food shortages had on the length of the war itself. Using their knowledge, they openly discuss how the Turnip Winter of 1916 put the basic daily needs on the front line of World War I. 

Concepts

causes of world war i, post world war i, world war i, starvation

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Research the role of the United States in the food shortage in Europe during WWI: Food Administration
• Analyze the home fronts of European nations during WWI and the impact of a lack of food on society: European Home Front

Classroom Considerations

• Assumes the classroom has audio and visual technology
  

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Resource provides the opportunity for class discussion with video evidence
• Aids audio and visual learners with primary photography from WWI

Cons

• None

Common Core

RH.9-10.1 RH.9-10.2 RH.9-10.3 RH.11-12.1 RH.11-12.2 RH.11-12.3