Reconstruction to World War II – Tasks

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Image: The Granger Collection

1. What is meant by the expression “Reconstruction”?
2. What is meant by the expression “Jim Crow”?
3. What is the content of the “separate but equal” decision of 1898, and what were its consequences?

You might find these links useful:
The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow
Jim Crow
Jim Crow Museum

1. Define isolationism.
2. Everyone knows that the United States consists of fifty states. Not so many people know that the US also has territories and possessions other places in the world – both those they acquired in the Spanish-American War and some they acquired later.
   Look at the overview of American territories on this website. Look up one or more of them and tell the class how and when they became United States territories and possessions.

1. Look up the RMS Lusitania on the Internet and give a talk about it.
2. How did the US, the United Kingdom and France differ in their view on how the Germans should be treated after the war? These websites might prove useful:
   The Treaty of Versailles and World War One – Treaty of Versailles.

1. “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime”, lyrics by Yip Harburg, music by Jay Gorney (1931)

Read the lyrics to “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime” and listen to it here:

Write a paragraph explaining how the lyrics reflect what you have read in “Prosperity, Depression and New Deal”.

“Brother, Can You Spare a Dime”, lyrics by Yip Harburg, music by Jay Gorney (1931)

They used to tell me I was building a dream, and so I followed the mob,
When there was earth to plow, or guns to bear, I was always there right on the job.
They used to tell me I was building a dream, with peace and glory ahead,
Why should I be standing in line, just waiting for bread?

Once I built a railroad, I made it run, made it race against time.
Once I built a railroad; now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime?
Once I built a tower, up to the sun, brick, and rivet, and lime;
Once I built a tower, now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime?

Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell,
Full of that Yankee Doodly Dum,
Half a million boots went slogging through Hell,
And I was the kid with the drum!

Say, don't you remember, they called me Al; it was Al all the time.
Why don't you remember, I'm your pal? Buddy, can you spare a dime?

Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell,
Full of that Yankee Doodly Dum,
Half a million boots went slogging through Hell,
And I was the kid with the drum!

Say, don't you remember, they called me Al; it was Al all the time.
Say, don't you remember, I'm your pal? Buddy, can you spare a dime?

Source: Songs of the Great DepressionSongs of the Great DepressionSongs of the Great Depression

2. “We’re in the Money”, lyrics by Al Dubin, music by Harry Warren (1933)

Read the lyrics to “We’re in the Money”, and listen to it here:

Write a paragraph explaining how this song differs from the previous one and, from what you have read, try to explain why this song is different.

“We’re in the Money”, lyrics by Al Dubin, music by Harry Warren, 1933)

We're in the money, we're in the money;
We've got a lot of what it takes to get along!
We're in the money, that sky is sunny,
Old Man Depression you are through, you done us wrong.

We never see a headline about breadlines today.
And when we see the landlord we can look that guy right in the eye
We're in the money, come on, my honey,
Let's lend it, spend it, send it rolling along!

Oh, yes we're in the money, you bet we're in the money,
We've got a lot of what it takes to get along!
Let's go we're in the money, Look up the skies are sunny,
Old Man Depression you are through, you done us wrong.

We never see a headline about breadlines today.
And when we see the landlord we can look that guy right in the eye
We're in the money, come on, my honey,
Let's lend it, spend it, send it rolling along!

Source: Songs of the Great Depression

1. Give a talk/presentation on the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Normandy or the Hiroshima/Nagasaki bombings, focusing on the role of the United States and on the consequences of the events.
2. Watch this 14 minute film about the American relocation and internment of Japanese-Americans during WW2. Take notes as you watch the film. Afterwards, gather in groups of 3 – 4 and compare your notes. Each group can make a presentation about what they got out of the film. You may include the group’s opinions about both specific points in the film or on the internment in general.