Interwar America: 1920-1940

Interwar America: 1920-1940, the era between world wars, began with a decade of prosperity and modernization and ended with a decade of economic crisis that touched all levels of society. It was a time rich in personal triumphs and tragedies that reflect the issues of a changing society. Students can read a letter written by Albert Einstein that gives Franklin D. Roosevelt warnings and recommendations concerning the development of an atomic bomb. They can explore the issue of racism and the trial of the Scottsboro Boys through the writing of Langston Hughes. They can argue the issue of standards and censorship in the movies based on a letter from film producer David O. Selznick. By reviewing a variety of advertisements from the 1920s, students can identify interests and trends of society.

About the Series:

Social Studies curriculum units contain complete lesson plans with preliminary and follow-up work, teacher notes with background and rationale, ready-to-use worksheets, and suggested answers for student questions. These materials encourage the development of thinking, reading, speaking, research, and writing skills as well as critical thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.