American Centuries

Pocumtuck Valley
Memorial Association

American Centuries > Lessons > History Lessons By Teachers > World War II and the War on Terror

World War II and the War on Terror

Details

Author
Randy Gordon
Topic/Subject Area
Military, Wars, Battles; Media, Periodicals, Communication; Commerce, Business, Trade, Consumerism; Industry, Occupation, Work
Historical Era
Great Depression and World War II, 1929–1945
Grade Level
High School (9–12)
Creation Date
2009
Last Revision Date
2024

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About This Lesson

Summary and Objective

After first studying World War II and events of post-9/11 in the United States, students will examine documents from World War II. Comparisons will be made in the use of propaganda, fear, and patriotism during both of these time periods. This lessons will focus on documents and images created during World War II. Students will continue with this process during the next class by examining documents and images of the post-9/11 world in the United Students. Students will understand that patriotism and fear are prevalent in times of war. Students will also understand that propaganda was used as a means of government control during both of these periods, and they will assess the legitimacy of using patriotism and fear to draw support for war.

Materials & Resources

Collection Items

Teaching Plan

  1. This lesson is meant to be taught to students following a completed analysis of World War II. It is important that students understand the role of the United States in ending World War II. Students should also be aware of draft resistance and isolationism in the United States. As a class, students will review the meaning of propaganda as it applies in general, and specifically during times of war.
  2. Students will break into small groups for all of the following activities. Each group will have a recorder to take notes for the group, a facilitator to manage the group discussion, a task master to keep the group on time, and a reporter to share findings with the rest of the class.
  3. Students will examine three examples of patriotic industry propaganda used during World War II:
    1. Dyno-Mite WWII newsletter cover from Millers Falls (Tool) Company
    2. “Making High Grade Tools for Industry Since 1868” Millers Falls Company ad from Greenfield Recorder-Gazette newspaper
    3. “America’s Entire Strength Is Now Concentrated on Our War Effort” ad for GTD from Greenfield Recorder-Gazette newspaper
  4. Students will identify the patriotic symbols used in each image and write a summary paragraph of the message of the advertisement, including its potential effectiveness. Student reporters will share their view with the class, and findings will be posted on a board.
  5. Students will be provided with four documents to discuss in their groups:
    1. WWII Air Raid Warning Instructions
    2. WWII Air Raid Warning Instructions Card
    3. WWII CD Warden’s Report Form
    4. WWII Blackout Memo Deerfield Residents
  6. Each group will examine the line between preparedness and over-preparedness, mixed with fear. What does the group think might have been the effects of these drills on citizens? Might these documents have created a sense of comfort or fear? Can any comparisons be made to the Homeland Security Color Warnings? Students will answer the previous questions as well as assess the overall effects of these warnings. Groups will jigsaw into other groups, and discuss their findings.
  7. Students will use their understanding of fear and patriotism as effective methods of persuasion to create a pro-war piece of propaganda. Each student will be provided with an 11 by 17 or larger piece of paper to create a WW II style piece of propaganda that utilizes either patriotism, fear, or both as motivators to support the United States’ role in World War II. Students will finish this for homework.
  8. Next class will examine post-9/11 America, making comparisons between now and World War II.