Introduction

IntroductionIntroduction

This activity would be done with my special education This activity would be done with my special education U.S. history students when talking about World War II from U.S. history students when talking about World War II from the homefront. Students will have already studied Pearl the homefront. Students will have already studied Pearl Harbor and viewed some examples of propaganda that Harbor and viewed some examples of propaganda that were used to encourage Americans to support the war were used to encourage Americans to support the war effort. For this activity, students would use computers witheffort. For this activity, students would use computers withthe slideshow loaded onto the desktop for easy access.the slideshow loaded onto the desktop for easy access.They would work in pre-assigned groups of four withThey would work in pre-assigned groups of four withrandom levels of ability. Some of the questions may seem random levels of ability. Some of the questions may seem very easy, but would be challenging for some of myvery easy, but would be challenging for some of mystudents with very low abilities. students with very low abilities.

BASEBALLBASEBALLAmerica’s PastimeAmerica’s Pastime

Baseball during World War IIBaseball during World War II With your group, view the following slide show about baseball, With your group, view the following slide show about baseball,

sometimes referred to as “our nation’s pastime.” sometimes referred to as “our nation’s pastime.” Choose a Choose a team nameteam name. Use one of your favorite baseball teams . Use one of your favorite baseball teams

or make one up. or make one up. Choose a Choose a managermanager to be the group leader. This person is to be the group leader. This person is

responsible for making sure everyone on the team is doing what responsible for making sure everyone on the team is doing what they are supposed to. they are supposed to.

Next, choose your Next, choose your pitcherpitcher. This person will control the pace, as . This person will control the pace, as they are the ONLY person that should be touching the computer. they are the ONLY person that should be touching the computer. They will click forward or go back as needed. They will click forward or go back as needed.

Next, choose your Next, choose your team captainteam captain. This person will do any and . This person will do any and all communicating with the teacher. (this way the teacher does all communicating with the teacher. (this way the teacher does not have to talk to 30 different students)not have to talk to 30 different students)

Finally, choose the Finally, choose the team reporterteam reporter to record the groups to record the groups answers. All group members should contribute to answers, but answers. All group members should contribute to answers, but the reporter should be someone with good handwriting to write the reporter should be someone with good handwriting to write down answers that will be turned in for a group grade. Be sure down answers that will be turned in for a group grade. Be sure to write the names of all your group members and their role in to write the names of all your group members and their role in the group. the group.

Baseball in AmericaBaseball in America Major league baseball enjoyed widespread popularity Major league baseball enjoyed widespread popularity

during the early 1900s.during the early 1900s. Attendance at games grew, and the World Series became Attendance at games grew, and the World Series became

one of the leading annual events in sports. one of the leading annual events in sports. Outstanding players such as Outstanding players such as Cy YoungCy Young, , Christy Christy

MathewsonMathewson, and , and Ty CobbTy Cobb emerged as national stars. emerged as national stars. Owners responded to the prosperity by building larger, Owners responded to the prosperity by building larger,

more modern ballparks.more modern ballparks.

Ty Cobb

Cy Young

Baseball in the 1920sBaseball in the 1920s Babe Ruth, initially a star pitcher for the Boston Babe Ruth, initially a star pitcher for the Boston

Red Sox, joined the New York Yankees in 1920 Red Sox, joined the New York Yankees in 1920 and became one of the greatest home-run hitters and became one of the greatest home-run hitters of all time. of all time.

Many hitters imitated Ruth’s style, and baseball Many hitters imitated Ruth’s style, and baseball developed into a higher scoring and—to many developed into a higher scoring and—to many

fans—more exciting gamefans—more exciting game. .

Baseball in the 1930sBaseball in the 1930s The growth of baseball continued into the 1930s, The growth of baseball continued into the 1930s,

when radio broadcasts of games became when radio broadcasts of games became common. common.

The first major league night games were also held The first major league night games were also held during the 1930s, enabling fans to attend games during the 1930s, enabling fans to attend games after work. after work.

In 1939 the National Baseball Hall of Fame and In 1939 the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum was opened in Cooperstown, New York, Museum was opened in Cooperstown, New York, to display baseball memorabilia and honor the to display baseball memorabilia and honor the game’s greatest players.game’s greatest players.

A trip to the mound…A trip to the mound…

Record your answers to the following questionsRecord your answers to the following questions

What change allowed more fans to What change allowed more fans to attend games in the 1930s? attend games in the 1930s?

How did most fans in the 1930s enjoy How did most fans in the 1930s enjoy baseball games if they could not baseball games if they could not attend them in person? attend them in person?

Pearl Harbor-World War IIPearl Harbor-World War II

Japan attacks the Japan attacks the U.S. at Pearl HarborU.S. at Pearl Harbor

President Roosevelt President Roosevelt immediately asks immediately asks Congress for a Congress for a declaration of wardeclaration of war

The United States is The United States is at war with Germany, at war with Germany, Italy and JapanItaly and Japan

America Stunned…America Stunned…

Baseball commissioner, Kenesaw Baseball commissioner, Kenesaw Landis writes President Roosevelt a Landis writes President Roosevelt a letter regarding the state of major letter regarding the state of major league baseballleague baseball

Your team will examine the letters Your team will examine the letters Landis and Roosevelt wrote each Landis and Roosevelt wrote each other and answer the questions that other and answer the questions that follow.follow.

Examining the Source…Examining the Source…(Go back to the letter if you (Go back to the letter if you

need)need) What is Landis asking Roosevelt What is Landis asking Roosevelt

about? about? Approximately how many teams are Approximately how many teams are

involved with major league baseball? involved with major league baseball? (counting minor league teams as (counting minor league teams as well)well)

Does Landis support the war effort? Does Landis support the war effort? What in the letter tells you this? What in the letter tells you this?

Green LetterGreen Letter

Examining the Source…Examining the Source…

Did President Roosevelt think Did President Roosevelt think baseball should continue to be baseball should continue to be played during the war? played during the war?

President Roosevelt said that fewer President Roosevelt said that fewer people would be ________ if baseball people would be ________ if baseball continued. continued.

What purpose did Roosevelt say What purpose did Roosevelt say baseball could serve during the war? baseball could serve during the war?

Americans to WarAmericans to War Millions of Americans signed up or were drafted Millions of Americans signed up or were drafted

into military serviceinto military service Many professional athletes served in the military, Many professional athletes served in the military,

including baseball playersincluding baseball players Although baseball would continue during the war, Although baseball would continue during the war,

without many of its players, things would be without many of its players, things would be different…different…

Star Athletes Become Star Athletes Become SoldiersSoldiersTed Williams, Boston Red Sox

Joe DiMaggio, New York Yankees

Pee Wee Reese, Brooklyn Dodgers

Joe Louis, heavyweight boxer

Trip to the mound…Trip to the mound…

Do you know of any Do you know of any

professional athletes today who professional athletes today who

have served in the military? have served in the military?

Do you think athletes today would risk Do you think athletes today would risk theirtheir

careers to serve in their country’s military?careers to serve in their country’s military?

Why or why not? Why or why not?

Pat TillmanPat Tillman NFL player, Pat Tillman, walked away NFL player, Pat Tillman, walked away

from a $3.6 million contract offer to from a $3.6 million contract offer to enlist in the U.S. army after the enlist in the U.S. army after the attacks on September 11, 2001. attacks on September 11, 2001.

He was killed in combat in He was killed in combat in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004. Afghanistan on April 22, 2004.

Replacement PlayersReplacement Players Many Major League Many Major League

baseball players were baseball players were either drafted or either drafted or volunteered for volunteered for military servicemilitary service

Teams roster spots Teams roster spots were often filled with were often filled with players who were players who were among the 30% of among the 30% of American men labeled American men labeled as ‘4 F’ or physically as ‘4 F’ or physically unfit to serveunfit to serve Pete Gray, outfielder, St. Louis

Browns

Women During the WarWomen During the War Many women moved Many women moved

into jobs that were into jobs that were left behind by left behind by American men American men serving in the serving in the military. military.

In addition to their In addition to their roles at home, many roles at home, many women worked women worked factory jobs they factory jobs they had previously been had previously been denied. denied.

Examining the source…Examining the source…

Examine the following picture. Examine the following picture. Describe everything you see in the Describe everything you see in the picture. Where do you think this picture. Where do you think this picture was taken? What does this picture was taken? What does this picture tell you about the time picture tell you about the time period? What was happening? period? What was happening?

All-American Girls Professional All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Baseball League

By the fall of 1942, many minor league baseball teams By the fall of 1942, many minor league baseball teams were folding because of a lack of players. were folding because of a lack of players.

Phillip K. Wrigley, owner of Wrigley chewing gum and the Phillip K. Wrigley, owner of Wrigley chewing gum and the Chicago Cubs, created a professional women’s baseball Chicago Cubs, created a professional women’s baseball

league in the Midwest, the AAGPBL.league in the Midwest, the AAGPBL.

Rockford PeachesRockford Peaches One team was located right here in One team was located right here in

Rockford, ILRockford, IL The Rockford Peaches played the The Rockford Peaches played the

entire existence of the league, 1945-entire existence of the league, 1945-1953. 1953.

During that time, the Peaches won During that time, the Peaches won four league championshipsfour league championships

The movie The movie A League of Their Own A League of Their Own is is based on the team, although all the based on the team, although all the characters were fictionalcharacters were fictional

Extra CreditExtra Credit For extra credit, visit the former home of the Rockford For extra credit, visit the former home of the Rockford

Peaches, Beyer Stadium on 15Peaches, Beyer Stadium on 15thth Avenue in Rockford. Avenue in Rockford. Describe what has changed about the ball park since it was Describe what has changed about the ball park since it was

last used for women’s baseball.last used for women’s baseball.

Compare and contrast the uniforms of the players Compare and contrast the uniforms of the players

from the 1940s and today.from the 1940s and today.

Expectations for WomenExpectations for Women Although women were filling roles that were Although women were filling roles that were

traditionally limited to men only, they were still traditionally limited to men only, they were still expected to maintain a feminine appearanceexpected to maintain a feminine appearance

Players were given specific guidelines to follow Players were given specific guidelines to follow regarding their “beauty” regarding their “beauty”

On the following slides, you will see actual On the following slides, you will see actual excerpts from a excerpts from a Charm School Guide Charm School Guide that was that was distributed to all players. As a group, scan the distributed to all players. As a group, scan the guidelines listed. Write down four things that you guidelines listed. Write down four things that you thought were interesting or surprised you. Why thought were interesting or surprised you. Why did you find them interesting and/or why did they did you find them interesting and/or why did they surprise you? surprise you?

BEAUTY ROUTINESBEAUTY ROUTINESYour ALL-AMERICAN GIRLS BASEBALL LEAGUE BEAUTY KIT Should always Your ALL-AMERICAN GIRLS BASEBALL LEAGUE BEAUTY KIT Should always contain the following:contain the following:

Cleansing Cream Cleansing Cream Lipstick Lipstick Rouge Medium Rouge Medium Cream Deodorant Cream Deodorant Mild Astringent Mild Astringent Face powder for Brunette Face powder for Brunette Hand Lotion Hand Lotion Hair Remover Hair Remover

You should be the best judge of your own beauty requirements. Keep your own kitYou should be the best judge of your own beauty requirements. Keep your own kitreplenished with the things you need for your own toilette and your beauty culture and replenished with the things you need for your own toilette and your beauty culture and care. Remember the skin, the hair, the teeth and the eyes. It is most desirable in your care. Remember the skin, the hair, the teeth and the eyes. It is most desirable in your own interests, that of your teammates and fellow players, as well as from the standpoint own interests, that of your teammates and fellow players, as well as from the standpoint of the public relations of the league, that each girl be at all times presentable and of the public relations of the league, that each girl be at all times presentable and attractive, whether on the playing field or at leisure. Study your own beauty culture attractive, whether on the playing field or at leisure. Study your own beauty culture possibilities and without overdoing your beauty treatment at the risk of attaining possibilities and without overdoing your beauty treatment at the risk of attaining gaudiness, practice the little measure that will reflect well on your appearance andgaudiness, practice the little measure that will reflect well on your appearance andpersonality as a real All American girl.personality as a real All American girl.

SUGGESTED BEAUTY SUGGESTED BEAUTY ROUTINEROUTINE

"After the Game""After the Game"Remember, the All American girl is subjected to greater exposure through her activities on Remember, the All American girl is subjected to greater exposure through her activities on

the the diamond, through exertion in greater body warmth and perspiration, through exposure to diamond, through exertion in greater body warmth and perspiration, through exposure to

dirt, grime dirt, grime and dust and through vigorous play to scratches, cuts, abrasions and sprains. This means and dust and through vigorous play to scratches, cuts, abrasions and sprains. This means

extraextraprecaution to assure all the niceties of toilette and personality. Especially "after the precaution to assure all the niceties of toilette and personality. Especially "after the

game,"the Allgame,"the AllAmerican girl should take time to observe the necessary beauty ritual, to protect both her American girl should take time to observe the necessary beauty ritual, to protect both her

health and health and appearance. Here are a few simple rules that should prove helpful and healthful "after the appearance. Here are a few simple rules that should prove helpful and healthful "after the

game.“game.“

Shower well and soap the skin. Shower well and soap the skin. Dry thoroughly to avoid chapping or chafing. Dry thoroughly to avoid chapping or chafing. Apply cleansing cream to face and remove with tissue. Apply cleansing cream to face and remove with tissue. Wash face with soap and water. Wash face with soap and water. Apply skin astringent. Apply skin astringent. Apply rouge moderately but carefully. Apply rouge moderately but carefully. Apply lipstick with moderate taste. Apply lipstick with moderate taste. Apply eye makeup if considered desirable. Apply eye makeup if considered desirable. Apply powder. Apply powder. Check all cuts, abrasions or minor injuries. Check all cuts, abrasions or minor injuries.

Trip to the mound…Trip to the mound…Do you think major league Do you think major league baseball players were givenbaseball players were givenguidelines about what to do after games? guidelines about what to do after games?

What do you think these guidelines sayWhat do you think these guidelines sayabout the ways women were viewed during about the ways women were viewed during this era? this era?

Do you think these views have changed? If so, how? Do you think these views have changed? If so, how?

Video ClipsVideo ClipsWatch the following video clips. As a group, Watch the following video clips. As a group,

describe what you saw in the clip. What did each describe what you saw in the clip. What did each clip clip

have to do with the war?have to do with the war?

http://www.collectorsweekly.com/bashttp://www.collectorsweekly.com/baseball/overview/videoseball/overview/videos

http://www.britannica.com/EBcheckehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic-video/15840/19456/Newsreel-d/topic-video/15840/19456/Newsreel-footage-highlighting-womens-professfootage-highlighting-womens-professional-baseballional-baseball

Bottom of the ninth…Bottom of the ninth… Each group member needs to rate the other members Each group member needs to rate the other members

of their group based on their effort throughout this of their group based on their effort throughout this activity.activity.

Assign your partners one of the following rankings:Assign your partners one of the following rankings:

All star-All star- Paid attention to what the group was doing and contributed Paid attention to what the group was doing and contributedideas on a regular basis.ideas on a regular basis.StarterStarter- Contributed ideas but was sometimes distracted. - Contributed ideas but was sometimes distracted. Minor Leaguer-Minor Leaguer- Sometimes contributed ideas, but was often distracted. Sometimes contributed ideas, but was often distracted.Rookie Baller-Rookie Baller- Contributed minimally and was mostly distracted. Contributed minimally and was mostly distracted.

That’s the game!That’s the game!

Turn your papers into the teacher. Turn your papers into the teacher.

ConclusionConclusionMy goal is for students to take pride in My goal is for students to take pride in the fact that a really neat part of history the fact that a really neat part of history took place so close to home. I also took place so close to home. I also would like them to think critically about would like them to think critically about the roles of women in the 1940s and the roles of women in the 1940s and 1950s and how they began to change 1950s and how they began to change during the war. By pointing out some of during the war. By pointing out some of the differences in the baseball leagues, I the differences in the baseball leagues, I hope my students would recognize the hope my students would recognize the inequalities between men and women inequalities between men and women during the time period. during the time period.