349: Perspectives—The U.S. Home Front During WWII and the Lessons of History
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Guest
Allan M. Winkler is the University Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Miami University of Ohio. He has also taught at Yale University and the University of Oregon and, for one year each, at the University of Helsinki in Finland, the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and the University of Nairobi in Kenya. In addition to his own books, he co-authored a college textbook and a high school textbook on American History.
Summary
In this episode, Jeff speaks with historian and author Alan Winkler about the importance of critical thinking in history education. They discuss how history textbooks have evolved to include social history, the challenges of teaching an “unsanitized” version of history, and the role of thematic learning in understanding patterns over time.
The conversation also explores the Home Front during World War II, highlighting the propaganda efforts, labor movements, and the contributions of women and minorities to the war effort.
Three Takeaways
Thematic Learning Enhances Historical Understanding – Teaching history through themes like civil rights, immigration, and labor movements helps students recognize patterns and connections over time.
The Home Front Was Complex and Contradictory – WWII propaganda united Americans, but racial discrimination, labor strikes, and shifting gender roles revealed deeper societal tensions.
Critical Thinking is Essential in History Education – Encouraging students to analyze historical events beyond basic facts fosters deeper understanding and prevents the oversimplification of complex issues.
Social Media
email: winkleam@miamioh.edur
About Jeff
Jeff Ikler is the Director of Quetico Leadership and Career Coaching. “Quetico” (KWEH-teh-co). He works with leaders in all aspects of life to identify and overcome obstacles in their desired future. He came to the field of coaching after a 35-year career in educational publishing. Prior to his career in educational publishing, Jeff taught high school U.S. history and government.
Jeff has hosted the “Getting Unstuck—Cultivating Curiosity” podcast for 5 years. The guests and topics he explores are designed to help listeners think differently about the familiar and welcome the new as something to consider. He is also the co-host of the Cultivating Resilience – A Whole Community Approach to Alleviating Trauma in Schools, which promotes mental health and overall wellness.
Jeff co-authored Shifting: How School Leaders Can Create a Culture of Change. Shifting integrates leadership development and change mechanics in a three-part change framework to help guide school leaders and their teams toward productive change.
Show Credits
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