President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Farewell Address (1961)

http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?doc=90

Rating: 2, High!

Description: In a speech of less than 10 minutes, on January 17, 1961, President Dwight Eisenhower delivered his political farewell to the American people on national television from the Oval Office of the White House. Those who expected the military leader and hero of World War II to depart his Presidency with a nostalgic, "old soldier" speech like Gen. Douglas MacArthur's, were surprised at his strong warnings about the dangers of the "military-industrial complex." As President of the United States for two terms, Eisenhower had slowed the push for increased defense spending despite pressure to build more military equipment during the Cold War's arms race. Nonetheless, the American military services and the defense industry had expanded a great deal in the 1950s. Standards 11.9.3. 11.8.5, and 12.7.8

Comments: This Our Documents site has a facsimile of the original document, a transcription of it, and background information to help the reader put the document in context.

Resource Type: Primary Source Text.

Graphics content: High.

Resource ID: 2506

Remembering the GI Bill

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/military/july-dec00/gibill_7-4.html

Rating: 2, High!

Description: The education and housing benefits World War II veterans received from the GI Bill transformed society. After a background report, Jim Lehrer of the PBS Online News hour leads a discussion about the bill's legacy with a panel of historians. Standard 11.8.4 and 12.3.1 economics

Comments: This site will lead to thoughtful discussion.

Resource Type: Other.

Graphics content: High.

Resource ID: 2625

Servicemen's Readjustment Act (1944)

http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=76

Rating: 2, High!

Description: Signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 22, 1944, this act, also known as the GI Bill, provided veterans of World War II funds for college education, unemployment insurance, and housing. It offered Federal aid to help veterans adjust to civilian life in the areas of hospitalization, purchase of homes and businesses, and especially, education. This act provided tuition, subsistence, books and supplies, equipment, and counseling services for veterans to continue their education. Within the following 7 years, approximately 8 million veterans received educational benefits. In addition, veterans were responsible for buying 20 percent of all new homes built after the war. The results rippled through the rest of the economy; there would be no new depression--just unparalleled prosperity for a generation. Standard 11.8.4

Comments: This Our Documents site has a facsimile of the original document, a transcription of it, and background information to help the reader put the document in context.

Resource Type: Primary Source Text.

Graphics content: High.

Resource ID: 2753

Timeline of the 1950's-1970's

http://www.hyperhistory.com/online_n2/History_n2/a.html

Rating: 2, High!

Description: This chart on the HyperHistory website shows a timeline of the events of the 1950's conveniently classified by social, political, scienctific and popular topics. Standards 11.8.7 and 11.8.8

Resource Type: Secondary Text.

Graphics content: High.

Resource ID: 3170

Understanding Genetics - Points of View

http://www.thetech.org/exhibits/online/ugenetics/pov_atkins/player.html

Rating: 2, High!

Description: Here is an interview of Peter Atkins, author of Galileo's Finger, at the Museum of Technology and Innovation in San Jose. He discusses genetics, evolution, and creationism. He sees a knowledge of genetics as an important bridge between opposing views. Standards 11.8.7 and 11.8.8

Comments: This interview might be used to connect the 7th grade Age of Science unit to modern issues.

Resource Type: Sound or Music.

Graphics content: Low.

Resource ID: 963

Dwight D. Eisenhower: First Inaugural Address

http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres54.html

Rating: 3, Medium.

Description: This speech, given on January 20, 1953, shows Eisenhower's beliefs about America's unique role and responsibility in the post World War II era. Standard 11.11.2

Resource Type: Primary Source Text.

Graphics content: Low.

Resource ID: 998

Fighting Traffic

http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/journals/EH/

Rating: 3, Medium.

Description: This is a short research article by Peter Norton comparing the U.S. and British responses to traffic congestion in major cities. It helps explain the uniqueness of America's reliance on automobiles, especially in the 1950's and after. Standard 11.8.7

Comments: This text only doucment may be difficult reading for some students.

Resource Type: Secondary Text.

Graphics content: Low.

Resource ID: 1221

The Fifties: 1945-1960

http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica/prog23/index.html

Rating: 3, Medium.

Description: This Biography of America site focuses on the impact of World War II in America, especially the dropping of the atomic bomb. It discusses the changes after the war when soldiers returned home: the GI Bill, the move to the suburbs (Levittown), Rock 'n' Roll, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement. Standard 11.8.4, 11.8.7 and 11.8.8

Comments: This site has the transcript of an historical discussion from the video on which the site is based, a webography of resources, a timeline, a map showing the NATO and Warsaw Pact areas, and an interactive photo activity on the dropping of the bomb. and

Resource Type: Mix of Text and Graphics.

Graphics content: High.

Resource ID: 3002