Class Year
2016
Document Type
Student Research Paper
Date of Creation
Fall 2016
Department 1
History
Abstract
Secondary schools during World War II were viewed as a vital component of the war effort on the home front. The nation’s youth were seen as important potential contributors to the war effort, and were educated as such. The atmosphere of total war especially affected social studies classes at this level. An analysis of contemporary educational journals and supplementary teaching materials reveals that secondary school students were virtually indoctrinated with democratic and patriotic values in their social studies classes in wartime schools. Social studies classes thus functioned as a route through which students could be encouraged to participate in the war effort. They were also a far-reaching system that attempted to unify the nation’s youth in support of the war.
Copyright Note
This is the author's version of the work. This publication appears in Gettysburg College's institutional repository by permission of the copyright owner for personal use, not for redistribution.
Recommended Citation
O'Dell, Rachael E., "Education for Victory: An Analysis of Social Studies Education in American Secondary Schools during World War II" (2016). Student Publications. 469.
https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/student_scholarship/469
Included in
Education Commons, Military History Commons, Social History Commons, United States History Commons
Comments
Written for HIST 421: Seminar: The U.S. and World War II.