WOH 4244 * ESSAY QUESTIONS

WORLD WAR II (AND THE UNITED STATES)

MWF, 11:00-11:50, SO 170

Write an essay that addresses one of the questions below. Your essay must develop a strong thesis statement, supported by evidence. The essay should be approximately seven pages (i.e 6½-8 pages) long. You must turn in both a paper copy and an electronic copy (preferably an email attachment) of your essay. Follow the guidelines listed on the separate handout.

ESSAY #1:

What did the United States know about the Holocaust? Write an essay that explores the historical controversy surrounding American knowledge of the Holocaust, based on the readings and primary documents in Robert H. Abzug’s America Views the Holocaust. You may focus your essay however you like.

ESSAY #2:

Watch all of the WWII-era cartoons posted on the web site below. (You need to use a computer that has Real Media Player installed). Write a paper that analyzes these cartoons in light of Hollywood Goes to War and War Without Mercy. You should refer to these books in your essay. When discussing the cartoons, be specific as possible.

http://www.earthstation1.com/American_WWII_Cartoons.html

ESSAY #3:

Write an essay that analyzes U.S. popular periodicals from the WWII era. You may choose to focus your essay on any theme you choose. You can do any of the following:

a. Pick one periodical and analyze its war coverage over the course of the war.

b. Pick one periodical and analyze its coverage of a particular issue or incident.

c. Pick several periodicals and analyze their coverage of a particular issue or incident. (for example, Pearl Harbor, atomic bombings)

d. Pick one or more periodicals and analyze the advertisements or cartoons.

Possible periodicals include any magazine from the era (such as Time, Life, U.S. News & World Report, Woman’s Day, etc.), or any newspaper (such as the New York Times, Palm Beach Post, etc.)

Possible themes include: depiction of women, race-related issues, depiction of the enemy, depiction of American soldiers, presentation of major battles, etc.

ESSAY #4:

Write an essay on WWII propaganda. In your essay, be sure to discuss the films we watch in class (Casablanca, The Purple Heart, and Know Your Enemy Japan). These films are available at the media center and you should watch them more than once (you will need quotes!).

Your essay should do the following:

a. Explain and analyze the propaganda messages of each film.

b. Assess the effectiveness of the films as propaganda. In other words, which films make “good propaganda” and which do not?

c. Utilize and refer to the War Without Mercy and Hollywood Goes to War.

ESSAY #5:

Choose a topic relating to the “homefront” and write a short research paper on this topic. Your paper should address any relevant historical controversy surrounding the issue. Consult Winkler’s Home Front U.S.A. for ideas. In many places, Winkler refers to certain books—use his book as a bibliographic guide. If you choose this topic, you should consult with me.

ESSAY #6:

Devise a topic of your own choosing (for example, the decision to drop the atomic bomb). You must get my approval for this topic by Monday, September 17. Send me an email that explains: (1) the nature of your topic; (2) working bibliography of sources.

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