Materials

• Internet access
• Copies of New York Times news article
• Textbook

Instructional Activities

1. Before beginning the session, stress that the United States was reluctant to become involved in World War II,  maintaining a policy of neutrality and isolationism. However, as the conflict escalated in Europe and Britain was increasingly threatened by Germany, the United States offered economic and material aid to her ally under the Lend-Lease Program. The Japanese directly involved the United States in the war when they attacked Pearl Harbor. With this provocation, the United States could no longer maintain a policy of isolationism. President Roosevelt declared war on Japan and its ally, Germany.
   
   
2. Have the students read a first-hand account of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The New York Times of the Web Learning Network offers a related lesson titled “Daily Lesson Plan: ‘I’ Witness to History,” together with a related article titled `“Pearl Harbor Diary: A Calm Sunday Abruptly Shattered,” at <http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/19981207monday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons>. The article includes excerpts from the diary of Henry Lachenmayer, who was aboard the USS Pennsylvania that day. Use or adapt the lesson plan, which offers questions related to the article and asks students to analyze the details of Lachenmayer’s diary entries.
   
   
3. After students have completed the work above, refer students to other personal accounts related to Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor: Remembered at <http://my.execpc.com/~dschaaf/mainmenu.html> offers general information about the attack, battle maps, and a number of personal accounts (click on “Survivors’ Remembrances”).
   
   
4. After students have read additional personal accounts, you may choose to have them create their own “You Are There” diary entries based on these personal accounts. The entries should include accurate historical information and depict the emotions and horror of the event as if the writer were there.