In 1943, the tide of World War II started to turn in the US and its allies' favor. The push for peace in Europe was won at last in May, 1945, but the Japanese continued to fight a much stronger, more powerful US army until August. The last chapeters of World War II are dotted with many noteable events like the death of President Roosevelt, the dropping of the Atomic bomb on Japan, and Hitler's suicide. In this lesson you will learn about the dramatic end of World War II from the people who lived through it.
To learn about the end of World War II and it effects, you should do these things:
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Step A: Get the Facts
  1. Before you interview your veteran or spouse, you'll need to dig-up the facts on how World War II ended. Get the basic information about your interviewee from your teacher and do background research about their experiences. Check out these websties to get started:
  2. Review interview skills
  3. Consider some starting points for your interview. Make an outline of what you want to discuss and your focal point. Don't forget to ask about individual and community attitudes toward the war.
Step B: Collecting Oral History
  1. Check with your teacher to find out when you'll be conducting your interview.
  2. Get familiar with and test any equipment you will be using. Fill out a Tape Index before you get started.
  3. Let's get down to business. Interview your veteran or spouse about the major events of WWII. Find out about major events like President Roosevelt's death, the dropping of the atomic bomb, and homecoming.
  4. Listen to and think about everything your interviewee says. Ask enough secondary questions to get all the details of the events you dicuss.
  5. Ask questions if you aren't sure what your interviewee means or if they use a word you don't know. If you don't understand something, your audience may not either.
  6. Don't forget to thank your interviewee when you are finished.
Step C: Putting It All Together
  1. When you fiish your interview, review your videos or tapes to recall everything you discussed.
  2. Challenge yourself to summmarize the content of the interview in only a few (2-3) sentences.
  3. Write a paragraph summarizing your interviewee's life if you didn't interview the same person you did in Lesson 1.
  4. Describe the setting of your interview and how well it went in one paragraph. Was your interviewee cooperative or difficult? Were they easy or hard to understand? Did they seem knowledgable about the events and remember facts, dates and names?
  5. Combine all of this information and create an Introduction for your interview transcript. See Dr. Marchiafava's Sample Introduction for help.
Your teacher will watch your interview and grade your Introduction, so be sure that it is accurate and free of any grammar, spelling or punctuation problems. Also be sure that your Tape Index(es) are complete.
Understanding the events and consequences of World War II is important. Check your knowledge with these questions: