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Soldiers in military gear march on a muddy path through a forested area.
A group of individuals seated in a courtroom, wearing identification numbers on their chests.
A row of international flags lined along a pathway leading to a building under a blue sky.
Black and white portrait of a man in a judge's robe, with wavy hair and a serious expression.

World War II Playlist

21 items

Soldiers in military gear march on a muddy path through a forested area.
They Were Superb: The 442nd Japanese-American Unit in World War II and Self-Sacrifice
Lesson - 1 Activities

Lesson

1 Activities

45 Min

In this lesson, students will learn about the self-sacrifice of the Japanese-American 442nd Regimental Combat Team who fought in World War II. They will also determine ways in which they can sacrifice to help others.
45 Min
A group of individuals seated in a courtroom, wearing identification numbers on their chests.
Irma Grese and Self-Deception
Lesson - 3 Activities

Lesson

3 Activities

90 Min

How did self-deception play a role in the World War II Holocaust? How can ordinary men and women be indoctrinated to commit inhuman evil, and how can we guard against ideologies that lead to these behaviors?
90 Min
A row of international flags lined along a pathway leading to a building under a blue sky.
United Nations
Lesson - 6 Activities

Lesson

6 Activities

105 Min

As World War II raged, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt met with Stalin and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill at the Tehran Conference in 1943. At this war strategy meeting, Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill decided—among many other things—that a new body should be formed to replace the League of Nations and that the United States would be a part of the new body. In 1945, representatives from fifty nations met in San Francisco to write a charter for the new organization, the United Nations (UN).
105 Min
Black and white portrait of a man in a judge's robe, with wavy hair and a serious expression.
Justice Frank Murphy and Racial Prejudice: No Justifiable Part
Lesson - 1 Activities

Lesson

1 Activities

45 Min

In this lesson, students will learn about Supreme Court Justice Frank Murphy and his stand for justice in three World War II cases related to restrictions on Japanese Americans.
45 Min
Black and white portrait of a man in a military uniform, looking directly at the camera.
Courage Under Fire: The Selfless Decision of John Robert Fox
Lesson - 1 Activities

Lesson

1 Activities

45 Min

In this lesson, students will learn about the actions of John Robert Fox during the Italian campaign during World War II. Through his example, students will understand how they can act more selflessly in their own lives.
45 Min
A man gestures toward a map during a political hearing, while others observe seated at a table.
Civil Liberties and McCarthyism
Lesson - 10 Activities

Lesson

10 Activities

180 Min

How did anti-communist behaviors characterized American public life following World War II?
180 Min
Close-up of marble columns with fluted design and solid bases, highlighting architectural details.
Korematsu v. U.S. (1944)
Lesson - 4 Activities

Lesson

4 Activities

Case background and primary source documents concerning the Supreme Court case of Korematsu v. United States. Dealing with President Franklin Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066 and the relocation of Japanese Americans during World War II, this lesson asks students to assess the Supreme Court's decision in Korematsu v. United States.
Portrait of a soldier in uniform, wearing a military cap and medals, set against a blurred background.
John Basilone’s Sacrifice
Lesson - 1 Activities

Lesson

1 Activities

45 Min

In this lesson, students will learn about the actions of John Basilone during World War II. They will explore how his actions helped advanced the allied cause. They will also understand his motivations for returning to combat. Through his example, they will learn how they can act selflessly in their own lives.
45 Min
Rosie the Riveter, Women Working during WWII
Photographs: Women at Work on the Homefront during World War II, 1941–1945
Activity

Activity

40 Min

Use this primary source imagery to analyze major events in history.
Two men working together on an aircraft with an American flag in the background, featuring the text "UNITED WE WIN."
World War II Propaganda Posters, 1941–1945
Activity

Activity

40 Min

Use this primary source imagery to analyze major events in history.
Franklin D. Roosevelt seated at a desk with multiple microphones during a radio broadcast.
Franklin Roosevelt, Second Bill of Rights, 1944
Activity

Activity

40 Min

Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.
Document titled "Franklin D. Roosevelt 'State of the Union Message to Congress,' Annotated, January 11, 1944."
Primary Source: President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Second Bill of Rights Annotated
Activity

Activity

Graphic summarizing educational objectives and essential vocabulary related to Eisenhower's statements.
Dwight Eisenhower Two Statements Primary Source Analysis
Activity

Activity

A black and white photo of military personnel listening to a commanding officer in a camp setting.
Dwight Eisenhower, D-Day Statement, 1944
Activity

Activity

40 Min

Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.
Text document titled "Address to D-Day Forces (1944)" by Dwight D. Eisenhower, outlining the mission and challenges ahead.
Handout H: Address to D-Day Forces (1944), by Dwight D. Eisenhower (Versions 1 and 2)
Activity

Activity

Text document titled "General Dwight D. Eisenhower: D-Day and Responsibility" with a narrative background on WWII events.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower: D-Day and Responsibility – Handout A: Narrative
Activity

Activity

A military leader addresses soldiers, who are wearing combat uniforms and appear tired, in a wartime setting.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower: D-Day and Responsibility
Lesson - 1 Activities

Lesson

1 Activities

45 Min

How did General Eisenhower act with responsibility on D-Day? Explore this question through readings, discussions, and a presentation project.
45 Min
Document titled "Handout B: Excerpts from the State of the Union Address by Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1944)".
Primary Source: Excerpts from the State of the Union Address by FDR (1944)
Activity

Activity

Portrait of Dwight Eisenhower in military uniform, set against a blue background with text about responsibility.
Dwight Eisenhower and Responsibility: Heroes & Villains
Video

Video

3 Min

How can a leader build trust with the people they lead by taking responsibility for their decisions and actions? Explore the story of Dwight D. Eisenhower and the D-Day invasion. In this video determine how he exhibited the virtue of responsibility specifically during the Eisenhower D-Day speech.
3 Min
Black and white photo of crowds during Japanese-American internment with text about grappling with injustice in history.
Japanese-American Internment During World War II | BRIdge from the Past
Video

Video

11 Min

Why is a truthful telling of Japanese-American treatment during WWII important for all Americans? In this episode of BRIdge from the Past, Mary looks at images depicting the Japanese-American internment resulting from President Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066 in 1942. Why was Japanese-American internment a betrayal of the founding principles and civil liberties of the United States? What does viewing these images teach us about the importance of upholding these civil liberties today?
11 Min
Exhibition graphic titled "Women at War: Life on the Homefront in World War II" featuring historical illustrations and images.
Women at War: Life on the Homefront in World War II | BRIdge from the Past
Video

Video

12 Min

You’ve seen it everywhere, the famous “Rosie the Riveter” saying “We can do it!” While this poster is iconic today, it was relatively unknown during its time. In this BRIdge from the Past video, Mary dissects some of the most important posters showcasing women and their impact on the war effort. How did women support the war during WWII? Why is this an essential piece of the story?
12 Min