In the third year of American Crossroads we examined the remainder of the twentieth century, starting with the First World War and worked our way to the election of President Reagan in 1980. During the course of the year we were treated to several guest speakers including Dr. Edmund Potter who lectured on Doughboys in World War I and several Minnesota scholars examining every thing from the Duluth Lynchings to the Great Depression to Minnesotan's in World War II. Our spring seminar brought a trip to the outstanding offerings of the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul. Finally, after a shortened summer institute, we took a bus tour of the south from Memphis, Tennesee to New Orleans, Louisiana. Stops included the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Sumner and Money, Mississippi, site of the Emmet Till murder and trial, Stanton Hall, a plantation house in Natchez, and a quick stop at the Louisiana State Capital in Baton Rouge. In New Orleans we experienced life in the French Quarter as well as a visit to the Lower Ninth Ward and the Chalmette Battlefield where General Andrew Jackson defeated a larger British force at the end of the war of 1812. On our last full day in New Orleans we visited the National World War II Museum.
Below are some of the lesson plans our teachers created based on their experiences this past year. Please feel free to take a look and use or adapt them as you see fit.
Media Portrayal of the Vietnam War
Living in Minnesota during World War II