Causes of WWII

This lesson introduces students to the principles of just war theory, the basis of international agreements such as the Geneva Conventions that regulate the conduct of nations in wartime. The lesson asks students to consider the six principles of jus ad bellum, or what makes a war just, as applied to World War II. Students read Roosevelt’s Joint Address to Congress Leading to a Declaration of War Against Japan (the "day that will live in infamy" speech) in order to assess whether or not Roosevelt spelled out the case for a just war. Students will: Examine the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and identify its effect on U.S. history. Review elements of just war theory, the basis of international law regarding warfare. Analyze a speech and its effect on the American people.

The attack on Pearl Harbor shocked and angered the American public, which quickly devolved into varying levels of anarchy. Attacks on Japanese immigrants and US citizens of Japanese descent increased. Following the attack, the American public began coming around to the idea of the United States getting involved in another "foreign entanglement." In the activities contained within this gallery, students will explore the reasons why the United States entered World War II.Learning Objectives: Students will:  Analyze how Pearl Harbor lead to the United States entering World War II.  Analyze how the government’s leveraged the Pearl Harbor attack to rally citizen support for the United States entering World War II.

The afternoon following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Americans gathered at their radios to hear President Franklin Delano Roosevelt ask a joint section of Congress for a declaration of war against Japan. Learning Objective: Students will understand the government’s response to the attack on Pearl Harbor.  Students will compare and contrast presidential responses to terror attacks.

Veterans Burnett Miller, Ray Leopold, and Sam Hynes describe why they fought in World War II and how important the war was. Learning Objective: Students will understand why so many young men and women signed up for the military after the United States declared war on Japan and the Axis powers.

Ken Burns and Lynn Novick's The War is the story of the Second World War, through the personal accounts of a handful of men and women from four American towns. The war touched the lives of every family on every street in every town in America and demonstrated that in extraordinary times there are no ordinary lives. Learning Objective: Students will understand how World War II defined the concept of "total war."