Should the United States Enter World War II Against Germany, Italy, and Japan or Remain Neutral?

Submitted by admin on

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.

Inquiry Design Model (IDM) Blueprint™
Compelling Question
Should the United States enter World War II against Germany, Italy, and Japan or remain neutral?
Standards and Practices
ND.6_12.4.5 Evaluate the growth and struggles of the modernization of North Dakota and the role the state has played in modern America.
Staging the Question
Watch a video from the WWII museum.
Supporting Question 1
Supporting Question 2
Supporting Question 3
What were the contrasting views surrounding America’s foreign policy regarding neutrality as war in Europe was heating up?
How did the war impact Americans abroad?
How did the war impact Americans at home?
Formative Performance Task
Formative Performance Task
Formative Performance Task
Organize a debate among students over the issues surrounding neutrality and isolationism.
Write a summary of what life was like for soldiers and other American citizens living abroad.
Write a summary describing what the home front experience was like.
Featured Sources
Featured Sources
Featured Sources
  • 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
Summative Performance Task
Argument
Should the United States enter World War II against Germany, Italy, and Japan or remain neutral? Construct an argument that addresses the compelling question using specific claims and relevant evidence from historical sources while acknowledging competing views. Create a poster and present your argument to your class with evidence to support your claims.
Extension
Select a soldier from your community or the state that died during the Normandy Invasion. Locate primary sources such as war records, draft cards, or interviews with descendants and conduct in-depth research on the soldier’s life.
Taking Informed Action

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.