Turning the Tide in the Pacific, 1941-1943

Pivotal moments happened in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Some of these turning points were the result of quick decision making, while others were the result of long-term strategies. Scholars evaluate the decisions using...

The legacy of Japanese American internment impacted America for decades, including Congress. Class members consider the tenure of Asian American representatives in Congress and how the legacy of World War II affected their service. Other...

Students explore the overall strategies pursued by the Japanese and the Allies in the initial months of World War II. What each side hoped to accomplish what what actually happened forms the basis of a comparison made in this lesson.

Young scholars explore the overall strategies pursued by the Americans and their British allies in the initial months of World War II in Europe. By examining military documents, students examine the decision to invade North Africa...

On a Monday in August, 1945, the first atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima. Watch the allies gain control over the surrounding islands before deciding to drop the atomic bomb. Use this video to spark a debate: was dropping...

Students examine the military campaigns of the Pacific theater, tracing the path of the Allied offensives. The lesson presents what the Allies were trying to accomplish and why.

Young scholars explore the overall Allied strategy in the Pacific from 1943-1945 and assess its effectiveness. They explore the reasons why the atomic bomb was used and why use of that weapon was controversial.

Imagine sailing around the world, or even around the Pacific Ocean, in an outrigger canoe without the the aid of a GPS? Or a compass? Or even a sextant? The Polynesians did. Find out how with an engaging video that details how they used...

Learners identify the reasons why the U.S. government decided to focus on the defeat of Germany and Japan and assess the wisdom of this decision. They analyze the magnitude of the U-Boat threat in the Atlantic.

Though December 7th, 1941 was a day "which would live in infamy," World War II had provided many infamous days, events, battles, and atrocities in the years before. So why were American forces so surprised when Japan attacked Pearl...