There is plenty of information out there today that are retrospective looks at the Holocaust. But I was pleasantly surprised to see that there is also a variety of sources discussing the shortcomings of America during the Holocaust and WWII in general. Here are 4+ sources focusing on just that, and how I would use them in my classroom!
National Archives article on American propaganda (specifically posters)
https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/powers-of-persuasion
This article from the national archives not only has dozens of different posters organized by message, but provides specific cultural context for each of them. I often remember my time in school looking at these posters and other things like political cartoons, and I always wanted to know more. Having all these posters together, organized with the scope of the campaigns laid out really highlights the large trend we’re seeing during the home front of WWII. I could analyze any one of these posters or campaigns, but I think way I would use this resource is assigning small groups to tackle different sections from the article and find out more information on this propaganda effort. For example the “This is a Woman’s War Too” category group could do even further research into the material action these posters brought about and provide more examples, perhaps multimedia examples such as videos and writings. I could also see this bleeding into a conversation on propaganda from other countries, such as Germany.
Bonus from the National Archives is this video of Bugs Bunny dancing and handing out war bonds:
This would be an excellent video to analyze as a whole class, maybe to introduce this topic on how we go about analyzing these propaganda pieces.
President Roosevelts Four Freedoms speech to Congress from January 1941.
This is another primary source that is as important in this narrative as it is interesting and illuminating. This speech was made just shortly before the United States officially joined the war in December after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This source is an excellent way to introduce some historical thinking. What is FDR saying? More importantly, what is he not saying? What is he alluding to? This is also just a really rich text to practice our reading of primary sources, offering opportunities for close and critical reading. I think the best way to use this source would be to read it as a class and engage in a sort of mini discussion, not unlike the ones we are doing in our own class.
Investigating the Holocaust: Nuremberg and Its Lesson for Today
This documentary, compiled of footage from the Nuremberg Trials, is a great primary source, and an excellent glimpse into how we discussed “blame” surrounding events for the Holocaust. It was notably a landmark case where “just following orders” didn’t cut it as a solid excuse anymore. How can we extend this justice to FDR? I could see this documentary being used as a jigsaw assignment, or something to watch and discuss in class. The great thing about it is that it is already broken up into 14 segments!
Washington Post FDR’s moral failing + An Examination from several Holocaust Scholars
This op-ed is a great accessible introduction to what this study goes into further detail on. It would be interesting to also attain a passage from “Saving the Jews” to contrast its rebuttal in the study. Even if this isn’t used in class, I would find it a great resource for myself, as the study’s thesis and critiques of FDR and American attitudes mirror my own.
