While World War II changed the international order, it also led to a fundamental shift in the concept of civil rights within the United States. Using a video and discussion questions, class members consider the effects the war had to the Supreme Court and how the court interpreted individual liberties during and after the war. Pupils then consider whether they agree with historians' assessment of the time and their own concepts of liberty.

Concepts

supreme court justices, the supreme court, world war ii, post world war ii, civil rights, the civil rights movement, liberty

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

social studies

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Discuss the meaning of civil rights and civil liberties
• Use the video and accompanying resources to show learners the effect World War II had on American concepts of civil liberties

Classroom Considerations

• Part of a series from PBS on civil rights and the Supreme Court

Pros

• Resource is ready to use within the classroom, complete with discussion questions
• Lesson adeptly connects two ideas normally covered separately in most classrooms

Cons

• None

Common Core

RH.6-8.9 RH.9-10.2 RH.9-10.3 RH.9-10.4 RH.9-10.8 RH.9-10.10 RH.11-12.2 RH.11-12.3 RH.11-12.4 RH.11-12.8 RH.11-12.9 RH.11-12.10