Honors American History WWII Unit Syllabus:
T 1/17: We will begin our unit on World War II by reviewing the causes and outbreak of war. We will also begin to
explore the reasons for U.S. isolationism as the war begins.
HW: Close read handout Merchants of Death. Close read means to highlight and jot down notes, questions,
and/or ideas as you read the selection. Also, write a paragraph summary of the document’s key points and
ideas. In this case, focus on the impact of the reading on isolationism in the United States as the likelihood of
war increases around the world. Also WWII Movie Project—Due 2/3
W 1/18: We will continue to look at isolationism in the U.S. through discussion of Merchants of Death. We will also look
at political cartoons of the time and discuss the public response to President Roosevelt’s Quarantine Speech. Due
today: Close Reading of Merchants of Death
HW: Read p. 550-557 (16.4) and answer the following questions. As you read, also complete the terms on the
back of your learning targets sheet.
1. Describe the changes made to the Neutrality Acts by the “Cash and Carry” policy and the Lend Lease
Act.
2. What was the significance of the Atlantic Charter with regards to U.S. isolationism?
3. What two events (one Japanese action and one U.S. action) led to the breakdown of the relationship
between the U.S. and Japan?
R 1/19: We will discuss the changes in U.S. policies as the U.S. gradually moves away from isolationism. We will also
look at the Pearl Harbor attack and the impact of the attack on the U.S. Due today: 16.4
HW: Close read Presidential Proclamation 2525 and Executive Order 9066. Write a paragraph summary for each
document. Be prepared to discuss these documents tomorrow.
F 1/20: We will discuss Presidential Proclamation 2525 and Executive Order 9066 as they relate to the internment of the
Japanese. We will also begin work on the Internment of Japanese editorial assignment. Due today: Close Reading of PP
2525 and EO 9066
HW: Read p. 562-568 (17.1) and answer the following questions for Tuesday. As you read, also complete the
terms on the back of your learning targets sheet.
1.
2.
3.
4.
In what ways did women contribute to the mobilization effort?
What dilemmas were created for minorities who were recruited to join the military?
How did scientists contribute to the war effort?
In what ways did the government exert control over the economy during WWII?
M 1/23: Computer Lab to work on Internment of the Japanese assignment
HW: 17.1 due tomorrow (see above). Also have intro and thesis completed for peer review tomorrow.
T 1/24: We will be peer editing the intro and thesis statement for the Interment of the Japanese assignment. We will
also discuss U.S. mobilization for WWII. We will also begin to look at steps to liberate Europe. Due today: 17.1
T 1/24: HW: Read p. 569-577 (17.2) and complete the following questions. As you read, also complete the terms on the
back of your learning targets sheet.
1. Based on the map, what do you think would be the best strategy for liberating Europe?
2. Why was the Battle of the Atlantic so important to the Allied success in Europe?
3. After reading about the Allied strategy in North Africa and Europe, what would you have done
differently? Explain. If you would have followed the same strategy, explain why.
W 1/25: We will be discussing the war in North Africa and Europe and begin to look at the dilemma facing the U.S. in the
Pacific theater. Due today: 17.2
HW: Internment of the Japanese assignment due tomorrow. Read p. 578-587 and complete the following
questions. As you read, also complete the terms on the back of your learning targets sheet.
1. Based on the map, what do you think would be the best strategy for defeating the Japanese?
2. Beginning in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and continuing into Iwo Jima and Okinawa, what tactics and
strategies did the Japanese exhibit that caused extremely high casualties?
3. How did these tactics and strategies impact the decision to use the atomic bombs that were
developed by the United States?
R 1/26: We will be looking at the Pacific Theater during WWII and how the U.S. was able to recover from the disaster at
Pearl Harbor to put the U.S. on the doorstep of the main Japanese islands. Due today: Japanese Internment and 17.3
F 1/27: We will be investigating the development of the atomic bomb and the decision President Truman was faced with
in order to attempt to end the war. We will be looking at reasons for and against the use of the atomic bomb in order to
prepare a mini-debate on the issue.
HW: Find three arguments for and against the use of the atomic bomb.
M 1/30: Computer lab to work on atomic bomb decision debate.
HW: Have your three arguments for and against the use of the bomb prepared.
T 1/31: Debate prep for decision to drop the bomb.
HW: Have all debate work ready for tomorrow.
W 2/1: Debate on decision to use the atomic bomb. We will conduct the debate and discuss the decision that was made
by President Truman. Due today: Debate Work
HW: Read p. 590-595 (17.4) and complete the following. As you read, also complete the terms on the back of
your learning targets sheet.
1. How did the war impact the U.S. economy?
2. What opportunities were provided to returning vets through the GI Bill of Rights?
3. How did the war era impact minorities in the U.S.?
R 2/2: We will discuss impacts of WWII on the United States both economically and socially, as well as review for the
WWII test tomorrow. Due today: 17.4
F 2/3: WWII test today. Due today: Key Terms etc. and WWII Movie Project