Americas Entry Into World War II

Introduction: In this exercise, students will look at various websites in order to assess
the American decision to enter World War II in 1941. By the end of this assignment,
students will be able to recognize and support this knowledge by answering a variety of
questions and creating an illustrated poster.
Standard: (11.7) Students analyze America's participation in World War II
(1) Examine the origins of American involvement in the war, with an
emphasis on the events that precipitated the attacks.
1. Step 1
a. Go to the U.S. Department of State website
b. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1921-1936/neutrality-acts
c. Who did critics blame for the U.S. involvement in World War 1?
d. Describe the ideological position of the Isolationist movement. Why did
they believe America should not be involved in the war?
e. Identify the key characteristics of the First Neutrality Act and the
Neutrality Act of 1937. Compare the two Acts and discuss how the
Neutrality Act of 1937 is different than the First Neutrality Act.
f. Assess the Neutrality act of 1939 and identify the key characteristics of the
document.
g. With a partner, discuss the American decision to remain in a neutral
position during the 1930s. Do you agree or disagree with this position?
After discussing with a partner, write a 1-2 paragraph summary of your
position.
h. Go to the Pearl Harbor Scholastic site
i. http://teacher.scholastic.com/pearl/timeline/
j. What is the Tripartite Act?
2. Step 2
a. Go to the National Geographic interactive website
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/pearlharbor/ax/frameset.html
b. Identify the time and date of the first United States sighting of foreign
forces.
c. Calculate how long the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was. (From first
sighting to the last Japanese wave).
d. Describe how the U.S.S. Monaghan was able to destroy a Japanese Midget
Submarine.
e. With a partner, discuss how the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was able
to take American forces by surprise.
3. Step 2
a. Go to the U.S. Navy Museum Website
b. http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/teach/pearl/aftermath/facts.htm
c. According to this website, calculate how many American servicemen lost
their lives in the attack. (Navy, Army, Marines).
d. Identify the only U.S. battleship that was unable to be raised or fixed as a
direct result of the attack.

e. This website contains several primary source images of the aftermath of

the attack. Choose one and describe what you see in the image and why
you selected it to write about.
4. Step 3
a. Pretend that you are an advisor to American President Franklin D.
Roosevelt in the hours following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Offer your
assessment of the attack and devise one or two recommendations to offer
the President.
b. Go to the National Archives website
c. http://www.archives.gov/historicaldocs/document.html?doc=15&title.raw=%26quot;Day+of+Infamy%26quo
t;+Speech:+Joint+Address+to+Congress+Leading+to+a+Declaration+of+
War+Against+Japan
d. Listen to or read President Roosevelts December 8th, 1941 speech to the
Joint Session of Congress.
e. With your partner, assess why the President gave this speech to Congress.
Why did he not declare war on Japan himself?
f. Analyze Roosevelts decision to change the first line of his speech from a
date which will live in world history to a date which will live in
infamy. Why do you think the President changed the last two words?
5. Step 4
a. Homework Assignment: Find 2-3 primary source images that represent the
attack on Pearl Harbor or Franklin Roosevelts speech to congress. Print
out these images and bring them to class.
b. With your partner, create a poster that demonstrates your knowledge of
Americas decision to enter World War II.