The First World War: The sinking of the Lusitania

PowerPoint (with 9 slides) that examines whether the Germans were justified in sinking the Lusitania during the war at sea during the First World War.

Activities include:

• A quick quiz on previous learning focused on examples of other civilian deaths in the various topics we cover. Feel free to edit to fit your circumstances.
• A source based analysis activity on why Germany targeted Britain with unrestricted submarine warfare.
• A source based analysis activity on whether Germany adequately warned passengers of the dangers of journeying to Britain by sea during the war.
• A source based analysis activity on whether the nature of the Lusitania’s cargo justified Germany’s actions.
• A discussion activity on how the second explosion helped Germany justify its actions.
• A source based analysis activity on the extent of British responsibility for the sinking of the Lusitania.
• A timeline analysis activity to consider the extent the sinking damaged the German war effort.
• Concluding discussion on the extent the Germans were right to sink the Lusitania.

Designed for the teaching of Edexcel iGCSE History 4HI1 Paper 2 A1 The Origins and Course of the First World War, 1905-1918.
Lesson Length: 1hr depending on pace
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