Unit 5-World War II: Patriotism, War, & Sacrifice (1936-1945) |
Big Ideas
Organizing Principle
- Despite initial reluctance, the eventual American participation and success in World War II demonstrated an intense patriotism and fundamentally altered the relationship between the United States government, corporations, the international community and the American public.
Essential Questions
Students will consider...
- Why did conditions of the Great Depression lead to the rise of New Deal liberalism in the United States, but totalitarianism in Europe and Asia?
- How did American efforts to mobilize and sacrifice for entry and participation in World War II compare to those efforts of World War I? How did this mobilization impact Americans?
- How did President Roosevelt and his administration prepare for war before a declaration of war?
- How did the United States entry into World War II both enhance and restrict the civil liberties of Americans?
- What military, political, and diplomatic turning points impacted American efforts in World War II? How?
- Should the United States have done more in response to the Holocaust?
- Was President Truman justified in using the atomic bomb to end World War II?
- Is this the “Greatest Generation”?
Understandings
Students will understand how, why and/or to what extent...
- When a nation’s economic, political or foreign policy interests are threatened it can lead to some degree of participation in war.
- Political and popular opinion for war can shift between government policies or thoughts of isolationism, neutrality and interventionism.
- The perception of wars and their purpose may help determine the degree of mobilization, participation and sacrifice of a democratic nation and its citizens.
- Leaders can modify the institutions of government in response to the challenges of their time.
- Wars abroad can create societal suspension, anxiety, fear and discrimination at home.
- National ideals often influence an individual or group’s perceptions of themselves, their country, and their place within society.
- Wars and their outcomes are often unsettling and have enduring international consequences for nations.
- Historical turning points are key moments from the past which typically occur for multiple reasons and ultimately produce a significant amount of change.
Knowledge
Students will know...
- Economic and political conditions in Europe created by World War I led to the rise of totalitarian rulers and the onset of World War II.
- The United States government withdrew from a policy of isolationism to initially aid Allied Powers and then directly intervene in World War II (e.g.. Neutrality Acts, “Lend-Lease” “Cash-Carry”)
- The federal government justified the restriction of the civil liberties of various groups of Americans during World War II. (e.g.., the Espionage and Sedition Acts, Schenck v. United States, Japanese-American internment camps).
- World War II consisted of various turning points that ultimately changed the historical narrative of the United States and its people. (e.g., The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, D-Day, Truman’s decision to use the atomic bomb)
- How Americans mobilized and sacrificed on behalf of allied efforts in World War II (e.g., rationing, war bonds, “Wheatless Wednesdays” and lend-lease).
- How and why the consumer based economy of the United States flourished in the decades following World War I and World War II.
- How communication technologies and mediums, such as newspapers, television, film and radio were used as propaganda to promote American patriotism during World War II.
- How the contributions of women during World War II impacted the perceptions and roles of women in American society. (e.g., , WAVES, “Rosie the Riveter”).
- How various ethnic groups within the United States contributed to American war efforts (e.g., Tuskegee Airmen, bracero program and American Indian “code talkers”) and the impacts of these efforts on the groups and the nation.
- How the American soldier successfully fought overseas for greater freedom and democracy within the United States and throughout the world.
- The political, scientific, technological and military process of constructing and using the atomic bomb (e.g.,Leo Szilard, Robert Oppenheimer, Einstein Letter, Manhattan Project, Los Alamos, Harry Truman)
- How the decision by Truman to use the atomic bomb affected United States foreign policy.
- How and why the American policy of isolationism ended with United States participation in post World War II alliances and how that involvement influenced the nation’s foreign policy after the war
Skills
Students will be able to...
- Use Historical Comprehension to determine how various Americans mobilized and sacrificed on behalf of Allied efforts during World War II.
- Use Historical Analysis and Interpretation to compare multiple perspectives of isolationism and interventionism leading up to United States entry into World War II.
- Use Historical Analysis and Interpretation to seminar the relevance of U.S. participation and sacrifice during World War II to that of contemporary wars and conflicts.
- Use Historical Analysis and Interpretation to debate whether President Truman was justified in his decision to use the atomic bomb to end World War II.
- Use Historical Analysis and Interpretation to debate whether this World War II generation of Americans should be considered “the greatest generation” of Americans.
- Use Historical Research to interpret historical data, construct reasoned arguments and draw conclusions about key World War II turning points using historical evidence collected from a variety of sources.
- Use Chronological Thinking to identify the historical narrative for Patriotism, War & Sacrifice (1936-1945).