Homework: World War II
Length: 5 to 6 pages.
Overy, Why the Allies Won Ch. 9, "Evil Things, Excellent Things: The Moral Contest," pages 282-313
Parker, Second World War Ch. 11, "Morale," pages 173-176
Required Viewing
See the Homework before viewing this film.
Frank Capra, Why We Fight: Prelude to War (1942).
Task:
View Frank Capra's Why We Fight: Prelude to War. Before viewing, though, type up a list of images, ideas, themes, and events that you think would have served the purpose of an American propaganda film during World War II. Remember, good propaganda is supposed to generate a deeply visceral, emotional response. What common body of images, associations, myths, and beliefs would have been useful for such a film as the one Capra was asked to put together (this is the first and most well-known of a series) to explain the war, and U.S. involvement in it, to the American people? Capra made use of a wide variety of devices including faux documentary-type effects and a professional score that served the purpose of giving Americans something concrete for which they could fight. What devices did he use in particular? What was the message he conveyed? What specific things was the U.S. fighting for in World War II, according to this film? Be sure to cite specific scenes or sequences from the film and analyze their meaning while also comparing these to the list of stock propaganda tools that you prepared before watching the film.
Format your homework according to the give formatting requirements:
a. The answer must be double spaced, typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
b. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the course title, the student's name, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
c. Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.