Native Americans in World War I
April 15, 2020
Video Discussion Questions What was happening to the Native American community at the turn of the 20th century?Why did Native Americans, thousands of whom were not granted citizenship by the U.S., fight in the war?What unique role did various Native Americans take during the role? How did that impact the effort? What happens in 1924? Why?
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Native Americans in World War I
April 15, 2020
[0:00:11] Announcer: Welcome to the How World War I Changed America podcast series, sponsored by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation with host Dr. Libby O'Connell. [0:00:26] Libby O'Connell: My name is Libby O'Connell. Today our topic is Native Americans in World War I and our guest expert is Dr. Herman J Viola. He's a curator emeritus at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and author of such a long list of books that I can't even begin to to give just one title. So we're just thrilled and honored to have you with us today, Herman. Thank you…
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American Indians’ Service in World War I, 1920
April 15, 2020
More than 11,000 American Indians served with the American forces during World War I. Nearly 5,000 Native men enlisted and approximately 6,500 were drafted—despite the fact that most American Indians were not citizens and therefore not eligible for conscription. In all, approximately 25 percent of Native men served in the military. They often volunteered to serve in dangerous roles, including snipers and scouts. Unlike African American soldiers, Native Americans were not restricted to segregated regiments.
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Native Americans in WWI
April 15, 2020
When World War I commenced, Americans of every color and creed answered the call. Among these, Native Americans served in great proportion, with an estimated 12,000 serving in the United States Army. Many Native American soldiers joined the 36th Division, where they were tasked with sending encrypted messages between Allied Forces, which the Central Powers were never able to decode. Despite the fact that many aided the U.S. war effort, not all of them were recognized as citizens and it took until 1924 to for all Native Americans to receive citizenship rights in the United States.
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The Influenza Pandemic
April 14, 2020
Video Discussion Questions During WWI, what was the role of media in encouraging or discouraging the spread of influenza? In your opinion, should this be known as the “Spanish Flu?”How did WWI encourage the spread of the virus?According to the video, how many lives are lost to the flu? Who were most likely to succumb to the disease? After watching this video, and citing three sources of reliable information, compare and contrast the Great Influenza Epidemic of 1918-19 and the COVID-19 pandemic in either a) a Venn Diagram, or b) a short essay.
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The Influenza Epidemic
April 14, 2020
[0:00:11] Speaker 1: Welcome to the How World War One changed America podcast series, sponsored by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation with host Dr. Libby O'Connell. [0:00:26] Libby O'Connell: My name is Libby O'Connell, and today our guest is Dr. Jennifer Keene, Dean of Wilkinson College, professor of history at Chapman University, and World War One expert. Jennifer, welcome. [0:00:40] Jennifer Keene: Thank you for having me. It's a pleasure to be here. [0:00:42] Libby O'Connell: Very interested to be talking with you about the flu epidemic that broke out during World War One as a matter of fact. Americans…
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Reporting on the Spanish Influenza, 1918
April 14, 2020
The Spanish Influenza (H1N1) first appeared in the United States in March 1918. There were periodic, minor outbreaks for six months, but in September a highly fatal second wave of influenza broke out across the country and lasted through January 1919. Within days of being exposed, patients became gravely ill and many died. Influenza is usually dangerous for the very young and the elderly. During this outbreak the disease was deadly for people aged twenty to forty as well. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 195,000 Americans died in October 1918 alone. In less than two years, an estimated…
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The Influenza Epidemic of 1918 and Its Effect on Modern Medicine
April 14, 2020
Influenza killed more people than those killed as a direct result of World War I, but the influenza epidemic of 1918 (referred to in the 1918 and 1919 as the “Spanish Flu”) is largely overlooked in many history courses. Spread in part by thousands of soldiers who traveled abroad while fighting in the war, the disease infected people indiscriminately, spread rapidly, and had a shockingly high mortality rate. It is estimated that between 20 million to 50 million people died worldwide as a result of contracting this strain of influenza.
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Immigrants and World War I
April 14, 2020
Video Discussion Questions Both in declaration of neutrality and in war, President Woodrow Wilson recognized a need for American unity. What was the definition of “100% Americanism”? How do you think that idea plays out today?What realities challenged immigrant stereotypes in WWI?Describe the impact on the German immigrant communities in the United States during WWI.How were immigrant cultures championed during WWI?One out of every five soldiers serving in the U.S. Armed Forces was an immigrant; list three effects.
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Immigrants and Immigration in World War I
April 14, 2020
[0:00:11] Announcer: Welcome to the How WWI Changed America podcast series, sponsored by the Andrew W Mellon foundation with host Dr. Libby O'Connell. [0:00:26] Libby O'Connell: Hello and welcome to this morning's podcast from the WWI Centennial Commission. I'm Libby O'Connell. I am delighted to welcome Prof. Chris Capozzola from MIT. This morning we're going to be talking about immigrants and immigration in WWI. So welcome Chris. Thanks for joining us today. [0:00:48] Chris Capazzola: Thank you for having me with you. [0:00:50] Libby O'Connell: So Chris America has always been a nation of immigrants. What makes the early part…
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