World War II
Essay Assignment
Mr. Fleischman’s Classes
This question is based on the accompanying documents (1-6). This question is
designed to test your ability to work with historical documents. Some of the
documents have been edited for the purposes of the question. As you analyze the
documents, take into account both the source of each document and any point of
view that may be presented in it.
Historical Context:
When World War II began in 1939, the world entered one of its darkest periods. In
1942, American troops officially entered the conflict. Although the war was
fought abroad, it had a great impact on the American home front. Women
experienced permanent changes in their lives. People across the country felt a
greater sense of nationalism, as well as a fear of foreigners. World War II had
lasting effects on many aspects of American life.
Task:
Using information from the documents and your knowledge of social studies, to:

Discuss how World War II affected American life at home.
TURN THE PAGE ►
Documents
Directions: Analyze the documents and read the information.
Document 1
Rosie the Riveter
Rosie the Riveter was the star of a campaign aimed at recruiting female workers
for defense industries during World War II, and she became perhaps the most
iconic image of working women. Rosie was a character that represented the
women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II, many of
whom produced munitions and war supplies. These women sometimes took
entirely new jobs replacing the male workers who joined the military. American
women entered the workforce in unprecedented numbers during the war, as
widespread male enlistment left gaping holes in the industrial labor force. Between
1940 and 1945, the female percentage of the U.S. workforce increased from 27
percent to nearly 37 percent, and by 1945 nearly one out of every four married
women worked outside the home.
Document 2
During World War II every American was issued a series of ration books. The
ration books contained removable stamps good for certain rationed items, like
sugar, meat, cooking oil, and canned goods. A person could not buy a rationed
item without also giving the grocer the right ration stamp.
Document 3
During World War II scrap drives were a popular way for everyone to contribute
to the war effort. By recycling unused or unwanted metal for example, the
government could build ships, airplanes and other equipment needed to fight the
war.
Document 4
During World War II, Victory Gardens were planted by families in the United
States (the Home Front) to help prevent a food shortage. This meant food for
everyone! Planting Victory Gardens helped make sure that there was enough food
for our soldiers fighting around the world.
Document 5
Internment Camp
The internment of Japanese Americans in the United States during World War II
was the forced relocation and incarceration of about 120,000 people of Japanese
ancestry in the western interior of the country. These Japanese-Americans mostly
lived on the Pacific Coast. Internment camps were by President Franklin
Roosevelt through his Executive Order 9066. From 1942 to 1945, it was the policy
of the U.S. government that people of Japanese descent would be interred in these
isolated camps.
Document 6
World War II Deaths
Country
Military Deaths
Civilian Deaths
Total Deaths
Germany
3,250,000
2,350,000
5,600,000
Italy
226,900
60,000
286,900
Japan
1,740,000
393,400
2,133,400
France
122,000
470,000
592,000
Great Britain
305,800
60,600
366,400
United States
405,400
-
405,400
Soviet Union
11,000,000
8,700,000
19,700,000
Axis
Allies
Source: World War II: A Statistical Survey, John Ellis
World War II was mainly fought in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific so the
number of US civilian deaths is significantly lower than other nations civilian
deaths.
Essay Question
Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several
supporting paragraphs (2 or 3), and a conclusion. Use information and evidence from all
six documents in the body of the essay. Support your response with relevant facts,
examples, and details. Include additional related outside information not included in the
documents.
Historical Context:
When World War II began in 1939, the world entered one of its darkest periods. In
1942, American troops officially entered the conflict. Although the war was
fought abroad, it had a great impact on the American home front. Women
experienced permanent changes in their lives. People across the country felt a
greater sense of nationalism, as well as a fear of foreigners. World War II had
lasting effects on many aspects of American life.
Task:
Using information from the documents and your knowledge of social studies,
write an essay in which you:
 Discuss how World War II affected American life at home.
Guidelines
In your essay, be sure to:






Address all aspects of the Task by accurately analyzing and interpreting all six
documents.
Incorporate information from the documents in the body of the essay.
Incorporate relevant outside information.
Support the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details.
Use a logical and clear plan of organization.
Introduce the theme by establishing a framework that is beyond simple
restatement of the Task or Historical Context and conclude with a summation
of the theme.