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Attu: North American Battleground of World War II. Teaching with Historic Places.

Attu: North American Battleground of World War II. Teaching with Historic Places.

Authors :
National Park Service (Dept. of Interior), Washington, DC.
National Trust for Historic Preservation, Washington, DC.
National Register of Historic Places, Washington, DC. Interagency Resources Div.
Metcalf, Fay
Publication Year :
1993

Abstract

This lesson from the "Teaching with Historic Places" series is based closely on the National Register of Historic Places nomination file on Attu Battlefield and U.S. Army and Navy Airfields on Attu, a National Historic landmark. Materials for students include: (1) a reading outlining the Japanese occupation and U.S. recapture of Attu; (2) maps indicating the location of the battle sites; and (3) a series of photographs depicting the battle and its aftermath. The lesson could be used in teaching a U.S. history unit on World War II. Students benefit from studying this battlefield because the Battle of Attu was fought on a comprehensible scale and provides an example of the indomitable spirit of soldiers on both sides of World War II fighting for what the believed to be a just cause. Students learn to explain how the Japanese occupation and U.S. recapture of Attu were significant in the history of the Second World War. They can describe the complexity of even a relatively small scale military campaign. In addition students learn to analyze different sources of information relating to a particular historic site. Students can discuss both the valor of the American soldiers, who fought under weather conditions considered among the worst in the world, and the loyalty of the Japanese troops to their emperor and their cause. Activities include researching the battle, examining the entire Pacific campaign, and trying to arrange for veterans who fought in the Aleutians to come to class and speak. Further readings are suggested. (DK)

Details

Language :
English
Database :
ERIC
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
ED364466
Document Type :
Guides - Classroom - Teacher