EPISODE 10: WWII
INTRODUCTION
It is 1939 and while war breaks out in Europe, America remains mired
in the Great Depression. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in
December of 1941 thrusts the U.S. into the war, changing the nation
from an isolationist continent to a global player.
The nation taps into the vast manufacturing reserves that have
been idle for ten years: factories, electrical plants, railroads. The war
gives jobs to seven million unemployed – many of them women,
nicknamed “Rosie the Riveters.” By 1944, the U.S. is producing 40%
of the world’s armaments. The might of America’s strategy and
supplies turns the tide of war. The U.S. Air Force launches pioneering
daylight bombing raids over occupied Europe in B-17 bombers.
Under the command of General Dwight Eisenhower, D-Day is an
astonishing success.
In 1945, war in the Pacific is brought to a close by the atomic bomb.
The enormous consequences of the atomic bomb would be debated
for decades. Much of Europe is in tatters, and millions of Jews lost
their lives in the Holocaust. As the war ends in 1945, a new world
order has been created – and America has changed forever.
TERMS TO KNOW:
Before or after watching this episode,
encourage students to define and
review the terms below. Students
may also want to make their own
lists of new vocabulary words and
identification terms as they watch.
Barrage
Catalyst
Infinite
Infrastructure
Mobilize
Munitions
Oscilloscope
Prosthetic
America The Story of Us is useful for American
History, Social Studies, and Media courses. It is
appropriate for 7th grade students and above,
and is an excellent resource for professional
development.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Why did the U.S. avoid involvement in WWII until December 1941? Why was the
Pearl Harbor attack such a shock to the U.S.?
2. Why was the invention of penicillin so important in the context of WWII? What
were some other advances in medicine that were important during the war?
3. How were women aected by WWII? Do you think the war advanced the rights
of women?
4. During WWII, the American armed forces were still segregated by race. Why do
you think this issue became increasingly important during this era, leading to the
desegregation of the Armed Forces a few years after the war?
5. What were some of the arguments for and against using the atomic bomb?
6. Overall, what were the consequences of WWII for the United States? How
was the U.S. changed by the war?
AMERICA THE STORY OF US Episode 10: WWII
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1. What do you think were some of the reasons Ichiuji wanted to
serve in the Army despite the prejudice he might have faced?
2. Why do you think Japanese Americans were interned in
camps during WWII? The U.S. government later apologized to
Japanese Americans for these actions. Do you think a similar
situation could happen in our world today? Discuss.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
FURTHER EXPLORATIONS:
What else was going on during this time period?
Explore the sites below to learn more about the era
of U.S. history covered in this episode.
An overview of World War II, with video clips
www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii
Extensive information and links about the
Holocaust
www.ushmm.org/
Learn about Mexican American immigration and
the Bracero Program
http://americanhistory.si.edu/ONTHEMOVE/
themes/story_51_5.html
Background on the role of African Americans
during WWII
www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/
ww2-pictures/
Learn about Japanese American soldiers in World
War II and Japanese American internment camps
www.javadc.org and
www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_
plans/japanese_internment/index.html
PLACES TO VISIT:
Interested in what you saw in this episode? Visiting
historic sites is a great way for teachers, students,
and families to learn more about the past. Explore
these historic sites, or look for local historic sites in
your town or city to visit.
National World War II Museum
www.ddaymuseum.org
The Japanese American National
www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam
U.S.S. Arizona Memorial
www.nps.gov/valr/index.htm
AMERICA THE STORY OF US Episode 10: WWII
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©2010 A&E Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved. 01601.
Before the United States entered the war, Joe Ichiuji, an American
citizen of Japanese descent, was a corporal in the U.S. Army. Within
two months of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Army discharged him
and placed his family in an internment camp. When government
recruiters came to this camp seeking recruits for an all Japanese-
American combat unit in 1943, Ichiuji was one of the first to
volunteer. Below are Ichiuji’s recollections of this turbulent period,
which proved to be the ultimate test of allegiance.
Primary Source:
Recollections of a Japanese-American World War II Veteran
On loyalty:
“Japanese-Americans had to prove that they were loyal Americans
because they had two battles to ght. One against the enemy in
Europe and the Pacic, and the other against racial prejudice in the
United States…”
On Pearl Harbor:
“I felt very badly because the country of my parents would attack
the United States. Here I’m an American citizen. I’m in uniform and
I just wondered why would they do a thing like that and how would
I face my friends, my comrades in the Army, that was my concern…”
On the interment camp:
“The morale of the relocation camp was low after being uprooted
from their home and friends and placed in the middle of the desert.
On top of that the camp was surrounded by barbed wire and it was
guarded by armed soldiers. The camp life was regimented like the
Army – you were assigned a number, you had to line up for mess,
shower and toilet. And my family lost the control and as time went
by they adjusted to camp life and they made the best of it.”
On the possibility of rejoining the Army:
“I just didn’t want to give up this chance to show my loyalties as an
American citizen and serve my country. Even though I was discharged
and evacuated and placed in a camp and treated as an enemy alien. I
thought that by proving that I was a loyal American, the people
outside, you know, they would have condence in us and remove us
from the camp – that was my aim.” (from Save Our History: The
National World War II Memorial, an original documentary by The
History Channel, 1999.)
