WWI Propaganda and the Data of Dissent

Students treat wartime language as data, using historical newspapers (1917–1919) to categorize propaganda techniques, compare them to the suppression of dissent under the Espionage and Sedition Acts, and surface contradictions in African American press coverage — then build a civic argument about fear and freedom that acknowledges the evidence's limits.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Subject Area U.S. History
Grade Band 11-12
Class Time Estimate 2
Data Science Focus
  • 11-12.A.1.1a Recognize that multiple types of data can provide valuable insights into the same inquiry.
  • 11-12.A.1.4a Design and compare alternative data representations, justifying choices to address inherent uncertainty.
Standards Alignment
  • C3.D2.Civ.12.9-12
  • C3.D2.His.6.9-12
  • C3.D4.1.9-12
Prerequisites Awareness that the US fought in WWI; a general idea of what propaganda is; comfort reading short primary-source excerpts.
Version 1.0
Date Created July 9, 2026
Last Updated July 9, 2026