American History

Unit
High School (10th grade) - The Attack on Pearl Harbor

Aim
What infamous event brought the United States into World War II

Goalsobjectives
(These include social and academic skills as well as conceptual goals)
Read a primary source document with understanding
Recognize the continuing importance of ideas and documents
Place the Attack on Pearl Harbor within philosophical and political contexts
Recognize connections between ideas in different historical eras
Draw conclusions based on historical decisions and evidence
Understand the benefits and problems of international conflict and war
Examine the meaning of concepts of conflict, human rights, war, violence and equality

Main ideasunderstandings
(These are from the main ideasunderstandings for the entire unit. They will be developed and reinforced in other lessons as well)
1. The aftermath of World War I caused aggressive and expansionist governments in Europe and Asia
2. Economic chaos after the Stock Market crash of 1929 caused nationalism to prosper throughout the governments of the world
3. Public opinion forced President Roosevelt to abandon any ideas of taking action against aggressive governments
4. Roosevelt proclaimed neutrality during the first years of World War II, however supported the Allied war effort through providing loans and military supplies. The American economy was already improving dramatically
5. President Roosevelt also tried to stop war from happening in the Far East, by sending military aid to China as well as applying economic pressure on Japan

Materials
Audio and video footage of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, as well as audio footage of President Roosevelt declaring war on Japan and appropriate equipment
Attack on Pearl Harbor httpwww.youtube.comwatchvHAnOtWm5OrM
Declaration of war speech httpwww.presidency.ucsb.edumediaplay.phpid16053admin32
Do now
Read the passages from Chapter 24 A World in Flames, 19341941

Motivation
Watch the footage of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and identify how it changed the American publics opinion of the war. Look at President Roosevelts declaration of war speech.
Activitiesquestionstransitions
Make a timeline of the key dates and events that influenced the United States entry into World War II

Summary
Based on the examination of the passages and the other data, what do you think was the major factor in the United States entering World War II

Application
If you were President Roosevelt, how would you have declared war on Japan

Homework assignment
Think of what might have happened to the world we live in now, if the United States had not joined the Allied side in World War II. Write a paragraph outlining how the world might have been different today