Lesson Plan National Security, Isolationism, and the Coming of World War II Government and Civics 11, 12, 13+ Unit Overview The two decades following the end of "The Great War" witnessed significant changes in American economic, social, and cultural life. The affluence and optimism of the 1920s were tempered by memories of the war and an...
Lesson Plan The Soldier's Experience: Letters from Four American Wars 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Click to download this four-lesson unit.
Essay The Great Depression and World War II, 1929-1945 David M. Kennedy Economics, Government and Civics 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+ Across the long arc of American history, three moments in particular have disproportionately determined the course of the Republic’s development. Each respectively distilled the experience and defined the historical legacy of a...
Essay The Great Depression, the New Deal, and World War II in the American West Elliott West Economics, Government and Civics, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math The Great Depression and World War II, far and away the worst economic calamity and the costliest foreign war in American history, profoundly affected every part of the United States. Changes in the West were especially obvious. From...
Essay The Human Toll of the Great Depression Steven Mintz Economics 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+ After more than half a century, images of the Great Depression remain firmly etched in the American psyche—breadlines, soup kitchens, tin-can shanties and tar paper shacks known as "Hoovervilles," penniless men and women selling...
Essay The Great Depression David M. Kennedy Economics, Government and Civics, World History Herbert Hoover got many things wrong about the great economic calamity that destroyed his presidency and his historical reputation, but he got one fundamental thing right. Much legend to the contrary, the Great Depression was not...
Lesson Plan Beyond Rosie the Riveter: Women's Contributions During World War II Art, Economics, Government and Civics, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math 9, 10, 11, 12 Overview Although often understated, the social, economic, and political contributions of American women have all had profound effects on the course of this nation. For evidence of this, one needs to look no further than the many...
Lesson Plan Children on the Home Front World History 2, 3, 4, 5 Overview While American soldiers were fighting abroad, those left at home, including children, contributed to the war effort in many ways. Background Although World War II wasn’t fought on US soil, its effects were deeply felt by all...
Lesson Plan Banking Basics Economics 1, 2, 3, 4 Introduction Many elementary school students are unaware of how banks make money and what causes them to fail. This lesson will provide students with a basic understanding of those two issues, linking them to the Great Depression and...