US.78 Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats of the fears of Americans about nuclear holocaust and debates over the stockpiling and use of nuclear weapons, including atomic testing, civil defense, bomb shelters, mutually assured destruction, impact of Sputnik, and President Eisenhower’s warning about the military-industrial complex.
The United States spends an enormous amount of money on national defense. This enables the U.S. to react quickly in times of crisis. Answer the following questions about national defense spending based on the chart below.
1. From 1910 to 1941 national defense spending was at a minimum, with the exception of a brief spike from 1917-1920. What would explain this spike? 2. National defense spending saw its largest spike starting in 1941. What event from prior learning would correspond with this spike? 3. After WWII, the U.S. has maintained a state of military readiness. What would explain the need for such readiness and need for such large amounts of money attributed to national defense? |
Watch and take notes on the short biography video on President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Use Actively Learn to analyze excerpts from Eisenhower's farewell address, which includes a warning about the military industrial complex. Complete the reading as instructed and answer the guided reading questions to the best of your ability.
Teachers, you may access a Google version of the text here.
Teachers, you may access a Google version of the text here.
Attributions:
Image: "Defense Spending" retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_defense_spending_1910_to_2007.png, Public Domain.
Image: "Defense Spending" retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_defense_spending_1910_to_2007.png, Public Domain.