World War II Homework Assignment
(Lecture 1)
1. Write an essay that explains the causes of World War II, America’s initial
response to the war in Europe, and the circumstances under which the U.S finally
began to participate.
2. Outline the domestic response to World War II, including preparation for and
participation in the war effort. Include in your answer the following key points:
European Jews looking for asylum
Japanese-Americans
German-Americans
Hispanics
women
African-Americans
unionization efforts
rationing
3. How did the United State seek to counter the Japanese in the Pacific and the
Germans in Europe? What technological, strategic and economic factors best
account for the U.S. victory of World War II?
4. Write an essay that outlines the Manhattan Project and the dropping of the bomb
on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Discuss Truman’s decision to drop the bomb. What
information did he have in order to make the decision? What were the
alternatives? Why did he drop the bomb? What were the consequences of this
act, both in the short term and in the long term?