Japan and The Pacific: WW2

These are independent research questions - there is no handout this week. Remember to upload to turnitin.com! Also, I would like for you to comment on two of your classmates blog responses this week. Analyze what they did differently, similar, their tone, etc. 

1. Describe in detail the air raids in Japan.
2. Compare and contrast the Battle of Okinawa and the Battle of Iwo Jima. 
3.  Analyze in detail the Battle of Tokyo Bay.
4. Why did World War II end with the surrender of Japan? 
5. Describe the fall of imperial Japan? 
6. Evaluate the importance of naval warfare in WWII. Three specific battles must be discussed in detail. 
7.  Compare and contrast the methods used to achieve victory during WWII on land and at sea. 

*PLEASE COMMENT ON TWO CLASSMATES BLOG RESPONSES!

Japan's Strategy in 1941-1942

You will receive two readings in class tomorrow - they will assist you with answering the following questions on Japan's strategy in 1941-1942. 1. Why did the Japanese believe that it was better to go to war with the United States sooner rather than later? 2. Why were Japanese military planners pessimistic about their country's chances in a long war against the United States? 3. What actions did the Japanese government take to prepare for a war in the Pacific? 4. According to Japanese military planners, how likely was war against the Soviet Union? 5. What were the three phases of Japan's strategy in the Pacific? 6. What was the overall Japanese strategy? 7. Why was it adopted? 8. Which strategic goals were met, and which were not? 9. What was the purpose of The Supreme War Council? Compare and contrast The Supreme War Council to The Imperial Headquarters. 10. Why is the Battle of Port Morseby and Midway important? Some refer to Midway as the turning point of the war - why would this stand true?

Dr. Mengele's Assistant

Please answer the following questions - there is no need to upload to turnitin since your responses will be coming directly from your findings in the book. I will allow you to submit up until Monday evening at 9:00 p.m. Have a great long weekend!

1. What were Miklos’ expectations when he volunteered to be Mengele’s assistant?
2. How would you describe the attitude of the executioners who delivered Zyklon B then lit up cigarettes and drove away?
3. Describe your reaction when you read about the recipe for concentration camp dysentery. How was the food worse than “pigs’ swill?”
4. Analyze the scene where the girl was found alive among the pile of corpses from the gas chamber. How did you feel with the outcome? Could the outcome have changed?
5. Describe the role of the Sonderkommando members in this book. How do you think other Jewish prisoners regarded these individuals?
6. What kind of people are capable of the actions that Oberschafuhrer Steinberg and his four colleagues executed? What was your reaction to this incredibly disturbing part of the book?
7. Why did Dr. Mengele allow Miklos to search the camp for his wife and daughter? Did you find Dr. Mengele’s behavior odd? For someone so horrid did you see a soft side with him?
8. “Like a pyromaniac it had wished to set the world ablaze, only to ultimately perish in its own fire.” Analyze this quote – whom is it referencing? Is it an appropriate quote used to describe this situation?
9. On more than one occasion Miklos and his colleagues thought they were going to be executed. How did their first experience differ from their last experience?
10. Dr. Mengele asked Miklos to perform many disturbing experiments and methods – describe in detail the one that left you in awe after reading this book.

Schindler's List

Remember to upload to turnitin.com

1. Throughout the film you will see children (in the ghettos, camps, etc.). Analyze the role children play in the film.
2. There is no doubt that Oscar Schindler portrays heroism. Describe this.
3. Compare and contrast Oskar Schindler and Amon Goeth.
4. How does the following inscription on the gold ring given to Schindler by his workers stand true: "Whoever saves one life saves the world entire."
5. Describe the liquidation of the ghetto – how did this make you feel?
6. The film is in black and white; however color does appear in the film. How does color play a role in the film? 
7. Examine the relationship between Oskar Schindler and Itzhak Stern.
8. Describe the concept of power in the film.
9. How would you interpret the following quote from Itzhak Stern: "The list is an absolute good. The list is life. All around its margins lies the gulf."
10. The following themes were significant throughout the film: Denial, The Power of One, Loyalty, Dehumanization, and Power. Write about two of these themes and how they played a major role in the film.