The Lead-Up to World War II
Students become acquainted with Adolf Hitler by watching a video. Then, they learn about the events leading up to the war in Europe, including Germany’s conquest of other countries and Mussolini’s rise to power. Next, they turn to Japan’s aggression against China and other Asian nations, culminating in its attack on Pearl Harbor. Then, they examine the American policy of neutrality. Finally, students create an infographic of important events and people leading up to the war.
Pearl Harbor and U.S. Entry into the War
Students learn the details of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the U.S. entry into the war against Japan, Germany, and Italy. Then, they follow the progress of American industry’s mobilization for the war and they evaluate the leadership of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the war’s outbreak. Finally, they create a collage of primary source visuals about the mobilization.
U.S. Patriotism and the Home Front
Students consider how they might respond if they were on a home front in wartime. Then, they investigate the details of WWII home front activities, including the economic effects of the war on the home front. Next, they learn about the role of the Office of War Information and analyze its propaganda work. Finally, they study biographical materials on First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and her home front activities.
Issues of World War II: The Holocaust
Students learn about the Nazi Holocaust through primary sources such as photos and oral histories, as well as secondary sources. Then, they learn about the liberation of the concentration camps by the victorious Allied armies at the end of the war. Finally, they survey other historical examples of genocide, such as in Rwanda and Myanmar (Burma).
Issues of World War II: Weaponry
Students view a photo of a mushroom cloud and explain their response to the photo. Then, they explore an overview of World War II conventional weapons and technological innovations that arose from military needs. Next they study the development and first use of nuclear weapons against Japan. Finally, students learn about the Native American code talkers of World War II who used their native languages as the basis of codes for secret communications.
Issues of World War II: Internment and Discrimination
Students learn about three types of discrimination that occurred in the United States during World War II: the internment of Japanese Americans, Italian Americans, and German Americans; discrimination against African American troops; and the inferior status of female service members. Next, they analyze and evaluate the bias of primary source media from that era. Finally, they explore the constitutional issues raised by discriminatory practices in wartime, especially the internment of Japanese Americans.
Economic Effects of World War II
Students delve deeply into aspects of World War II’s economic effects on the United States, including changes in employment, fiscal matters, and population distribution. Next, they look closely at rationing from the policy perspective and from the point of view of those experiencing rationing. Finally, they learn more about wartime population redistribution, especially the impact on African Americans.
The Aftermath of World War II
Students begin by brainstorming possible solutions to postwar devastation, based on the aftermath of World War II. Then, they explore sources of information on the postwar situation. Next, they analyze efforts led by the United States to rebuild Europe, especially through the Marshall Plan. Finally, they evaluate the role of the United Nations.