Teaching World War I in the 21st Century 1 | Page 25

WE WANT YOU:
TEACHING WORLD WAR I IN THE CLASSROOM
Lora Vogt, Curator of Education, National World War I Museum

The National World War I Museum is the only American museum dedicated solely to preserving the objects, history and personal experiences of World War
I and has the most diverse collection of Great War artifacts in the world.

At the National World War I Museum at Liberty

most transformative events of the twentieth century,

seemingly simple questions that, in reality, have no

powerful tool for teaching critical thinking.

Memorial, America’s leading museum dedicated to

remembering, interpreting, and understanding the
Great War, we have heard —and ask ourselves—
easy answers:

• Why did World War I begin?

• How many countries were involved?

• Why didn’t the “War to End All Wars”
actually end all wars?

Possibly the single greatest catalyst for change on a

global scale, World War I is complicated. As one of the

this global conflict set the stage for twenty-first

century’s prosperity and poverty, peace and hostilities.
Rich with dynamic primary sources, it can be a

Most Popular Question and Lagging
(American) Popular Knowledge:

The National World War I Museum holds the most
diverse collection of World War I material culture

holdings in the world, yet the most popular question
asked is “Why is the nation’s museum and memorial
to World War I in Missouri?” The answer is simple:
“Because of Kansas City citizens.” Soon after the

Essays & Resources

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