| Additional Class Topics
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Additional Class Topics

For Further Interest: Additional Class Topics
Chapter 34: Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Shadow of War, 1933 - 1941

  • Focus on the merchants of death Nye hearings. Discuss how 1930s isolationism was strongly aimed at the factors that had supposedly led the United States into World War I.

  • Examine the rise of Mussolini, Hitler, and the Japanese militarists. Consider why Americans were appalled by their doctrines, even if they did not want to fight them.

  • Analyze the isolationist-internationalist debate, especially over lend-lease. Point out the isolationists argument that such aid would inevitably lead to war and the internationalists argument that helping Britain was the way to stay out of war. Consider whether FDR acted wisely in moving the United States closer to involvement.

  • Discuss the causes of the Pacific war from the Japanese point of view. Consider whether the war was inevitable.

  • Conduct a class debate over the following topic: e.g., The U.S. Should Give Lend-Lease Aid to Great Britain; primary source readings will come from the following book: Opposing Viewpoints in American History Volume II: From Reconstruction to the Present, San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Another good source of debate topics is Larry Madaras and James M. SoRelle, Taking Sides Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in American History, Volume II: Reconstruction to the Present, Connecticut: McGraw-Hill, 2000.

  • Show students the following video: The Century Americas Time (ABC Video in association with The History Channel), Volume II: 1936-1941: Over The Edge. As Adolph Hitlers feared Third Reich cuts a deadly path through Europe, Americans must weigh the option of becoming involved in another bloody, global conflict.

  • Show the students Charlie Chaplins The Great Dictator (1940). Discuss the imagery and symbolism in the movie what was Chaplins purpose of satirizing Adolph Hitler? Was it effective? Why do you think the movie was so controversial?



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