World War II Part II - The Homefront/Crash Course US History

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

11

Overview

In this video from PBSLearningMedia, John Green teaches students about World War II, as it was lived on the homefront. You'll learn about how the war changed the country as a whole and changed how Americans thought about their country. John talks about the government control of war production and how the war probably helped to end the Great Depression. Broader implementation of the income tax, the growth of large corporations, and the development of the West Coast as a manufacturing center were also results of the war. The war positively changed the roles of women and African Americans, but it was pretty terrible for the Japanese Americans who were interned in camps. In short, World War II changed America's role in the world, changed American life at home, and eventually spawned the History Channel. 

Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 11 - United States History II

SS10.US2.10

Describe the impact of World War II on the lives of American citizens, including wartime economic measures, population shifts, growth in the middle class, growth of industrialization, advancements in science and technology, increased wealth in the African-American community, racial and ethnic tensions, Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 (G. I. Bill of Rights), and desegregation of the military. (A.1.b., A.1.c., A.1.d., A.1.e., A.1.g., A.1.i., A.1.k.)

UP:SS10.US2.10

Vocabulary

  • wartime economic measures
  • G.I. Bill of Rights
  • desegregation
  • Tuskegee Airmen
  • Aliceville POW camp

Knowledge

Students know:
  • The impact of WWII on national economic issues.
  • Population shifts that occurred as a result of WWII.
  • Social changes in the nation, including the growth of the middle class.
  • The growth of industrialization in the nation and the impact of this growth.
  • Advancements in science and technology and the lasting impact of these advancements.
  • Changes in racial dynamics, including increased wealth in the African-American community, desegregation of the military, and changes in the racial and ethnic tensions in the nation.
  • Political actions that impacted the effects of the war, including the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944.
  • Alabama's participation in WWII, including the role of Tuskegee Airmen, Aliceville Prisoner of War camp, the growth of the Port of Mobile, production of Birmingham steel, and the establishment of military bases.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media.
  • Evaluate an author's premises, claims, and evidence by corroborating or challenging them with other information related to historical events.
  • Read and comprehend historical texts independently and proficiently on various topics related to events that led to WWII and the effect of those events on American foreign policy today.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There was a significant domestic impact from WWII with lasting effects on the political, social, and economic environment of the United States.

CR Resource Type

Audio/Video

Resource Provider

PBS

License Type

CUSTOM

Accessibility

Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
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