Twelve real historical documents, from a German embassy warning to a decoded telegram, trace the path from the sinking of the Lusitania to America’s declaration of war, in the actual words of the people who lived it. Students source each document, weigh what it says against what it leaves out, and build toward a full synthesis essay arguing whether the sinking was a cause, a catalyst, or both. Part of a larger World War I curriculum line, and built to work completely as a standalone unit on its own. Built for grades 9-12, with a documented way to flex down for strong grade 6-8 students.