Thursday/Friday February 23rd-24th

Advanced American History

Thursday -- Our discussion of WWII's impact on the homefront continued today with an analysis of "The War Effort,"  from propaganda to bond drives to the "arsenal of democracy."  Despite the sense of unity and the level of commitment displayed by the citizenry, the era was not without problems, as demonstrated by things like Japanese American Relocation or issues related to fair employment, like the zoot suit riots.

Assignment:  Read text pages 473-78 in preparation for a quiz on Friday.

Japanese-American internment camp map courtesy wikipedia.org

Friday -- Quiz/Read text 466-472.  Be able to meet the following objectives:

1.  Analyze the reasons for and the impact of the Allies' "Europe First" strategy.
2.  Explain why the battles of Stalingrad and Midway were major turning points in the war.
3.  Discuss how the allies put pressure on the Axis in North Africa and Europe.

courtesy navy.mil

American Studies

Thursday - Review for WWII Exam (see study guide)
Friday -- WWII Exam

Wednesday, February 22nd

Advanced American History

NHD Projects due today!  I will collect your project, process paper, and annotated bibliography.

After taking a look at some of the work you have done for NHD in the past few months, we returned to our discussion of WWII.  Particularly, the impact of the war on the homefront.  The war united Americans in a way never seen before or since, opened new opportunities for women and people of color, and saw nearly all Americans participate in the war effort in some way.  We introduced this concept today by examining some school yearbooks from Seymour and Northeast Wisconsin which proves to be great primary source evidence to show how people from this area contributed to the war effort.

launching of the SS Peto on the Manitowoc River courtesy Wisconsin Maritime Museum

American Studies

As we culminate our study of WWII, today we examined the story of the Navajo Code Talkers in the pacific theater in WWII.  One of the ironies of the second World War was the fact that the United States sent its sons both east and west to liberate millions from the tyranny of senseless racist philosophies, while at the same time struggling with our own legacy of racism and discrimination.  

To illuminate this fact, we discussed the history of the Navajo people, how the Navajo code worked, and the patriotism of the Navajo despite facing discrimination and a legacy of racist policies.  For further information, check out the following links:

History of the Navajo Codetalkers

Navajo Codetalkers Dictionary

Codetalker photo courtesy bingaman.senate.gov

Tuesday, February 21st

Hope you had an enjoyable and relaxing weekend!

Advanced American History

NHD Projects due tomorrow!


American Studies

One of the unfortunate realities of the Second World War is the fact that all major participants, including the United States, targeted civilians in the name of winning the war.  This, of course, should raise some moral and ethical questions.  There is no doubt that the atrocities committed by the Germans and the Japanese in WWII are some of the most disgusting actions in human history, but, in response, how much evil must a nation do in order to do good?  Should a nation kill 100,000 people in one night?  Was the use of firebombs and atomic weapons justified to end the most brutal war in history?

Take a look at the following documentary clip from A Fog of War related to the firebombing of Japan for further analysis:

Wednesday/Thursday February 15th-16th

Advanced American History

NHD Work -- Process Paper, Annotated Bibliography, & research project are all due February 22nd!


American Studies

As we move toward a conclusion of WWII, be aware of the significance of the following events:

Europe:  Stalingrad, N. Africa, Italy, D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, VE Day
Pacific:  Midway, Island Hopping, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Firebombing of Japan, A-bombs, VJ Day.

invasion of Okinawa courtesy historyofwar.com

Tuesday, February 14th

Advanced American History

By late 1941, the Japanese concluded that the only nation that could pose a threat to its dominance in the pacific was the United States.  This, combined with a crippling trade embargo, drove imperial Japan to plan a surprise attack on the US at Pearl Harbor.  More than 2000 Americans perished in the attack, one that sunk half or the US Pacific Fleet but also fortified the resolve of Americans to enter the war and strike back.

USS Arizona Memorial image courtesy honolulupublishing.com

To further understand the events of December 7, 1941, take a look at the following resources:

Pearl Harbor Attack Timeline
USS Arizona Historic Site

USS Arizona burns on Dec. 7, 1941 image courtesy ww2incolor.com

Monday February 13th

Advanced American History

courtesy allposters.com

After analyzing the rise of Hitler and the onset of war in Europe, we now transition to analyzing the early course of WWII and why the US ultimately gets involved.  Be sure to understand the following questions:

1.      Describe the course of the War in 1939 and 40 immediately after Great Britain and France declare war.

2.      How were the British able to hold the line against the Germans in the Battle of Britain in 1940?

3.      Describe the relations between the Russians and the Germans in the late 1930’s.  How do those relations change?

4.  In what ways did America prepare for war in 39-40?

5.  What problems were the Japanese creating in the 1930’s?

6.  Why did the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor?

Thursday / Friday February 9-10

Advanced American History

The due date for NHD projects is rapidly approaching!  Be sure to utilize these two class days for completing your entry, compiling your annotated bibliography, and writing your process paper!

Iwo Jima flag raising by Joe Rosenthal courtesy wikepedia.org

American Studies

To further understand the fighting in the Pacific during WWII, we will be viewing the film Flags of our Fathers.  For more information on the individuals in the book/film, check out the following links:

John Bradley
Ira Hayes
Rene Gagnon
Ralph Ignatowski
James Bradley

Other Links:
Bradley Funeral Home -- Antigo WI
Iwo Jima

Memorial on Mt. Suribachi in Wisconsin Granite courtesy jamesbradley.com

Wednesday February 8th

Advanced American History

Our study of WWII continues today with an analysis of how Hitler was able to mobilize the German population to embrace his vision and the steps he took to spread that vision beyond the borders of Germany.  The failure of the Weimar Republic led to the demise of freedom of speech, press, assembly and the denial of due process of law.  This, combined with Hitler's economic successes, led to popularity of the Nazi party within Germany and all those opposed were silenced. 

After making this vision a reality, Hitler sought to expand this vision beyond Germany's borders.  You should know the following steps to war in Europe:

1.  1936 -- Hitler Rearms the Rhineland
2.  1938 -- Annexation of Austria
3.  1938 --  Sudetenland, Appeasement and the Munich Pact
4.  1938 -- Czechoslovakia
5.  1939 -- Invasion of Poland

German invasion of Poland courtesy ushmm.org

Tuesday, February 7th

Advanced American History

After finishing a discussion of the rise of Hitler, we transitioned to a discussion of the steps Hitler takes that leads Europe down the path to a second destructive global war.  We discussed the abandonment of the Treaty of Versailles, the rearming of the Rhineland, the annexation of Austria, Sudetenland and appeasement, and the invasions of Czechoslovakia and Poland.

Assignment:  Read text 444-450.  Be prepared for WWII Quiz #1 Tomorrow!


American Studies

Our discussion of the homefront during WWII continues with an analysis of primary documents related to the era.  We examined various propaganda posters, school yearbooks from local schools, and other forms of wartime entertainment aimed at motivating the American populace (see below):

Monday, February 6th

Advanced American History

Today's focus was an introduction to the Second World War, specifically the rise of Hitler in Germany.  Coming of age in an era of German ascendancy, Hitler's world view was shaped by the defeat of Germany in WWI and the subsequent problems in Weimar Germany.  His rise after the failed Munich Beer Hall Putsch exacerbated the problems of the fledgeling German Democracy until the early 1930's, when the actions of Chancellor Hitler and the Nazis will ultimately destroy German democracy and endanger it elsewhere in the world.

Assignment:  Read text 434-442.

USS Arizona photo courtesy navy.mil

American History

The attack on Pearl Harbor mobilized Americans in a way never seen before or since.  An army of 300,000 in 1940 will ultimately swell to 15 million.  35% of the industrial workforce will, in subsequent years, be made up of women, many who never held such jobs before.

To understand the events on the morning of December 7th, check out the following website:

National Geographic Pearl Harbor Timeline

Thursday, February 2nd

Advanced American History

NHD work day today -- projects are due February 22nd!


American Studies

Today is the last day of class time devoted to the WWII scrapbook project.  Completed projects are due Friday morning!

Wednesday, February 1st

Advanced American History

Great Depression Exam -- Be sure to understand the facets of the Depression Era (1929-41) we discussed in class:

1.  Causes of the Great Depression
2.  Hoover's Response
3.  The Election of 1932
4.  FDR and the New Deal
5.  Legacy of Roosevelt and the New Deal era


American Studies

Work on the scrapbook project continues.  Be sure to compare your project with the given rubric to ensure you have all the necessary components.  This project is due Friday!