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Teach PA History
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Double V Campaign: Victory at Home and Victory Abroad
What to Know
Teaching Time
2 - 50 minute sessions
Grade Level
Middle School
Disciplines
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Economics
  • Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening
  • History
Historical Period
  • The Great Depression and World War II - 1929-1945
The Pittsburgh Courier was an African-American newspaper in Pennsylvania dating back to 1907. With the help of Daisy Lampkin, this newspaper mobilized the African-American community in Pittsburgh to contribute money to fight World War II. In the largest selling initiative in the United States, one that totaled $185.7 billion dollars of securities by the war's end, Lampkin galvanized the Pittsburgh community and raised over $2 million in the sale of Liberty Bonds. How was she able to accomplish such a task? She used the same tactic employed across the United States at the time ~ propaganda. Lampkin added her own special brand of salesmanship to raise the largest amount of money in one community. Let's take a look at Daisy Lampkin's achievement by first looking at the situation of African Americans in the United States prior and during World War II. Then your students will decide for themselves if they would contribute to war bonds if they were African-Americans living during World War II and write a letter to the editor of the Pittsburgh Courier persuasively defending their position.

Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Understand the basic concept of how World War II started. 2. Explore the importance of unity during a war. 3. Realize that America was a segregated society before and during World War II. 4. Define and interpret examples of wartime propaganda posters. 5. Create an emblem for a successful African American newspaper campaign that combines civil rights efforts with winning the war abroad. 6. Study and honor the different actions of African Americans when asked to support the war effort. 7. Assume the perspective of an African American during the war, decide if they would contribute to war bonds, and write persuasively about their decision.

Standards Alignment

  • Arts and Humanities

    9.1.8. A. Know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in the arts and humanities.
    9.2.8. D. Analyze a work of art from its historical and cultural perspective.
    9.3.8. A. Know and use the critical process of the examination of works in the arts and humanitarians. (Compare and contrast, analyze, interpret, form and test hypotheses, and evaluate/form judgments)

  • Economics

    6.5.6. G. Identify the cost and benefits of saving (i.e. U.S. savings bonds)

  • History

    8.1.6. B. Explain and analyze historical sources.
    8.2.6. B. Identify and explain primary documents, material artifacts and historic sites important in Pennsylvania history from Beginnings to 1824
    8.3.6. A. Identify and explain the political and cultural contributions of individuals and groups to United States history from Beginnings to 1824
    8.3.6. D. Identify conflict and cooperation among groups.

  • Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening

    1.2.8.A. Read and understand essential content of informational texts and documents in all academic areas.
    1.4.8. C. Write persuasive pieces.

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