Teachers can approach U.S. history since 1945 in two time periods. The first is "Postwar America" (1945-1973), the playing out of the economic, cultural, social, cultural/intellectual, and foreign policy thrusts and attitudes that grew out of the Great Depression and World War II. The second era, "Recent America"…

Theory on the patterns of generational cycles is examined as a context for looking at Generation X, born 1961-1981. General cultural and historical background characteristics of this group's members, their sociocultural traits and attitudes, and their relationship with their predecessors, the Baby Boomers, are discussed. (MSE)

Designed to accompany an audiovisual filmstrip series devoted to presenting a visual history of life in America, this guide helps secondary school teachers supplement social studies materials dealing with wars over the past 200 years. Using authentic visuals including paintings, drawings, engravings, posters, photographs, songsheets, and cartoons,…

Using primary source documents, this teaching unit focuses on the problems Chinese immigrants had in the United States during the late 19th century. Each of three lessons presents issues regarding the decision of Chinese immigrants to come to the United States and their subsequent exclusion from and struggles to assimilate into the U.S. society.…

Designed to accompany an audiovisual filmstrip series devoted to presenting a visual history of life in America, this guide contains an elementary school (grades 2-6) unit on American food over the last century. Using authentic visuals including paintings, advertising, label art, documentary photography, and a movie still, the guide offers…

Asserts that, after reviewing current literature on civic education and reading William J. Bennett's "The Book of Virtues," students should learn more about the values, virtues, and literature that has had a positive influence on society. Concludes that the diminished common core of knowledge and values has had a negative impact on…

Using primary source documents, this teaching unit focuses on changing women's roles, growing awareness of gender inequities, and activist responses to these conditions in the United States between 1820 and 1860. Teacher background materials include a unit overview, correlation to National Standards for United States History, unit objectives, a…

Asserts that peace activism should be integrated into U.S. history. Traces the history of the peace movement and peace activism from the American Revolution to the 1980s. Concludes that the peace movement, although diverse and constantly changing, has made an appreciable difference in national attitudes toward war and civil violence. (CFR)

Contends that peace history should be taught as a separate course or part of a larger survey course because of the wealth of scholarly materials. Discusses four historical movements that form the main currents of U.S. peace historiography and states that historian Merle Curti was the most influential peace historian. (CFR)

Examines the personal views, research methods, and writing strategies of an author who specializes in books on labor history aimed at the young adult market. Discusses some of the work that went into biographies of Mother Jones, Rosie the Riveter, and Frances Perkins. Recommends an increased focus on labor history. (MJP)

Provides an overview of Cold War years from President Kennedy's inauguration to end of Soviet Union on December 31, 1991. Recommends six questions to provide a structure for studying or teaching about the Cold War era. Concludes that the Cold War remains one of the premier forces in shaping the world during the second half of the 20th century.…

This interdisciplinary unit focuses upon the increasing number of refugees who flee their home countries out of fear of persecution. More than 20 million people are estimated to be refugees, with 80 percent women and children. The unit includes five parts. Part 1, "Introduction," includes: (1) "Background"; (2) "Fact or Fiction?"; (3) "What's the…

Provides a concise rationale for teaching labor history, placing the labor movement squarely in the 20th century move towards a more inclusive democracy and expanded definitions of citizens' rights and citizen participation. Briefly discusses current problems of downsizing and the proliferation of low-paying jobs. (MJP)

Profiles activities and exhibits at the Tsongas Industrial History Center and Lowell National Historical Park. Follows a group of students as they participate in a situation simulating 19th-century working conditions and subsequent union organizing. Includes two documents from a resource kit illustrating worker's lives. (MJP)

Presents a 22-item annotated bibliography on labor history, comprised mostly of book-length studies covering the subjects of colonial history, slavery and race, 19th century industrialism, gender, 20th century/ new labor history, and theoretical perspectives. The works include new perspectives along with established classics. (MJP)