Question
WWI Rube Goldberg
(Cause of WWI)
Objective: Identify major causes and describe the major effects leading to World War I
“A Rube Goldberg contraption – an elaborate set of arms, wheels, gears, handles, cups and rods, put in motion
by balls, canary cages, pails, boots, bathtubs, paddles and live animals – takes a simple task and makes it
extraordinarily complicated.”
See the cartoon below and watch this video OK Go "This Too Shall Pass" for a live version of a Rube
Goldberg-esque invention!
Keeping in mind the video, and the above cartoon, learners are going to create their own Rube Goldberg for the
causes of WWI. Essentially, this will be a Cause & Effect drawing of WWI.
Requirements:
1) Must have the Title written in the center of the page in a large font;
2) The goal is to show the chain reaction of the events and where those events led. Each “step” in the
picture must be clearly identified and labeled; You must start with what you believe to be the first long
term cause of WWI and end with Italy switching sides.
3) Learners will be assessed on the following elements:
(Cause of WWI)
Objective: Identify major causes and describe the major effects leading to World War I
“A Rube Goldberg contraption – an elaborate set of arms, wheels, gears, handles, cups and rods, put in motion
by balls, canary cages, pails, boots, bathtubs, paddles and live animals – takes a simple task and makes it
extraordinarily complicated.”
See the cartoon below and watch this video OK Go "This Too Shall Pass" for a live version of a Rube
Goldberg-esque invention!
Keeping in mind the video, and the above cartoon, learners are going to create their own Rube Goldberg for the
causes of WWI. Essentially, this will be a Cause & Effect drawing of WWI.
Requirements:
1) Must have the Title written in the center of the page in a large font;
2) The goal is to show the chain reaction of the events and where those events led. Each “step” in the
picture must be clearly identified and labeled; You must start with what you believe to be the first long
term cause of WWI and end with Italy switching sides.
3) Learners will be assessed on the following elements:
Answers
GPT-4o mini
### Rube Goldberg Contraption: Causes and Effects of World War I
**Title**: *The Rube Goldberg of World War I: The Chain Reaction of Causes and Effects*
---
**Instructions**: Draw a series of interconnected steps in a Rube Goldberg fashion, where each step represents a cause or effect leading up to and including Italy switching sides during the war. Use whimsical elements and creative imagery to illustrate the complexity and interconnectedness of these historic moments. Here’s a suggested outline of the events to include:
---
1. **Long-Term Causes**:
- **Militarism**: Show a large military tank with gears turning. Label it "Militarism: Escalating Arms Race."
- **Alliances**: Draw interlocking chains or ropes connecting countries (Triple Entente and Triple Alliance). Label it "Complex Alliances: Europe Divided."
- **Imperialism**: Illustrate a globe being pulled by various European powers. Label it "Imperialism: Competition for Colonies."
- **Nationalism**: Add flags representing nationalism swirling around. Label it "Nationalism: Pride and Tension."
2. **Immediate Causes**:
- **Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand**: Depict an animated cannon firing a symbolic bullet with a name tag. Label it "Spark: Assassination of Ferdinand."
- **Declaring War**: Illustrate a series of dominoes falling as countries declare war on one another. Label it "The Domino Effect Begins."
3. **Chain Reactions**:
- **Mobilization of Forces**: Show gears turning to represent troop movements and mobilization. Label it "Mobilization: Preparing for Conflict."
- **Trench Warfare**: Draw trenches with soldiers to represent the nature of the battles. Label it "Stalemate: The Horrors of Trench Warfare."
4. **Major Effects**:
- **Mass Destruction**: Show broken buildings and devastated landscapes. Label it "Mass Destruction: The Cost of War."
- **Political Changes/Aftermath**: Illustrate a crumbling monarchy or an emerging new order. Label it "Political Upheaval: The End of Empires."
5. **Ending with Italy Switching Sides**:
- **Italy Joins the Allies**: Draw Italy’s boot kicking a divided faction, symbolizing its shift. Label it "Italy Switches Sides: A Turning Point."
---
### Assessment Elements:
- **Creativity**: Use imaginative illustrations and humor, akin to a Rube Goldberg machine, to make the process engaging.
- **Clarity**: Each step must be clearly identified and labeled, showing a logical sequence of events.
- **Historical Accuracy**: Ensure events are accurately represented in relation to their importance and influence.
- **Complexity**: Demonstrate an understanding of the interconnectedness of causes, using multiple layers or paths.
### Materials Needed:
- Large paper or poster board
- Colored markers or pencils
- Ruler (for neat labels)
- Optional: Cut-out images to glue for added visual interest
---
Through this Rube Goldberg contraption, learners will visually and creatively explore the complex web of causes and effects that ultimately led to World War I, all while having fun connecting the dots in a whimsical manner!
**Title**: *The Rube Goldberg of World War I: The Chain Reaction of Causes and Effects*
---
**Instructions**: Draw a series of interconnected steps in a Rube Goldberg fashion, where each step represents a cause or effect leading up to and including Italy switching sides during the war. Use whimsical elements and creative imagery to illustrate the complexity and interconnectedness of these historic moments. Here’s a suggested outline of the events to include:
---
1. **Long-Term Causes**:
- **Militarism**: Show a large military tank with gears turning. Label it "Militarism: Escalating Arms Race."
- **Alliances**: Draw interlocking chains or ropes connecting countries (Triple Entente and Triple Alliance). Label it "Complex Alliances: Europe Divided."
- **Imperialism**: Illustrate a globe being pulled by various European powers. Label it "Imperialism: Competition for Colonies."
- **Nationalism**: Add flags representing nationalism swirling around. Label it "Nationalism: Pride and Tension."
2. **Immediate Causes**:
- **Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand**: Depict an animated cannon firing a symbolic bullet with a name tag. Label it "Spark: Assassination of Ferdinand."
- **Declaring War**: Illustrate a series of dominoes falling as countries declare war on one another. Label it "The Domino Effect Begins."
3. **Chain Reactions**:
- **Mobilization of Forces**: Show gears turning to represent troop movements and mobilization. Label it "Mobilization: Preparing for Conflict."
- **Trench Warfare**: Draw trenches with soldiers to represent the nature of the battles. Label it "Stalemate: The Horrors of Trench Warfare."
4. **Major Effects**:
- **Mass Destruction**: Show broken buildings and devastated landscapes. Label it "Mass Destruction: The Cost of War."
- **Political Changes/Aftermath**: Illustrate a crumbling monarchy or an emerging new order. Label it "Political Upheaval: The End of Empires."
5. **Ending with Italy Switching Sides**:
- **Italy Joins the Allies**: Draw Italy’s boot kicking a divided faction, symbolizing its shift. Label it "Italy Switches Sides: A Turning Point."
---
### Assessment Elements:
- **Creativity**: Use imaginative illustrations and humor, akin to a Rube Goldberg machine, to make the process engaging.
- **Clarity**: Each step must be clearly identified and labeled, showing a logical sequence of events.
- **Historical Accuracy**: Ensure events are accurately represented in relation to their importance and influence.
- **Complexity**: Demonstrate an understanding of the interconnectedness of causes, using multiple layers or paths.
### Materials Needed:
- Large paper or poster board
- Colored markers or pencils
- Ruler (for neat labels)
- Optional: Cut-out images to glue for added visual interest
---
Through this Rube Goldberg contraption, learners will visually and creatively explore the complex web of causes and effects that ultimately led to World War I, all while having fun connecting the dots in a whimsical manner!