This inquiry explores some of the changes occurring both in North Dakota and around the world during the mid-twentieth century through the investigation of the compelling question “should the United States enter World War II against Germany, Italy, and Japan or remain neutral?” The importance of understanding the impact of the war is twofold: (1) students should be able to understand some of the changes that directly impacted North Dakota and (2) students will benefit from understanding how North Dakotans had a role on a national and global scale. While progressing through the inquiry, students will analyze the changes that occurred during this time that continue to be reflected in American culture today.
This inquiry is expected to take three or four class periods; however, teachers are encouraged to adapt the inquiry to meet the needs and interests of their students and the amount of time they have available.
- Soldiers of World War II Document Set
- French Gratitude Train Document Set
- Internment Diary of Toyojiro Suzuki Document Set
- Herman Stern Material on ND Studies Teacher Resources page
Understand: Research how World War II affected students’ communities.
Assess: Determine the most impactful ways in which students’ communities contributed to the war effort.
Act: Using the research done on a soldier from your community, develop a documentary or a script for a short performance that can be presented to your school or community during a history fair.