Web Activity Lesson Plans

Chapter 12: America and World War II

"The Tuskegee Airmen"

Introduction
In this chapter students learned about America 's involvement in World War II. They learned that many Americans made contributions to the war effort, with new opportunities for involvement for women and African Americans. This web activity reinforces the knowledge that the Tuskegee Airmen were one of those groups of African Americans that made tremendous contributions to the war effort.

Lesson Description
Students will learn about the Tuskegee Airmen and their role in World War II. After reading the articles and answering questions associated with the articles, they will use the knowledge to explain the contributions that the Tuskegee Airmen made in the American success in World War II.

Instructional Objectives

The student will be able to explain the Tuskegee Airmen and their role in World War II.

The student will be able to use the information they learn to explain the Tuskegee Airmen and their contributions to World War II.

Student Web Activity Answers

Most of the African Americans who enlisted came from cities like New York City, Washington, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Detroit.

The actions enlisted members were trained to perform included: aircraft and engine mechanics, armament specialists, radio repairmen, parachute riggers, control tower operators, policemen, and administrative clerks.

About thirteen started, but only five successfully completed the training.

Nine hundred and ninety-four pilots received their wings from 1942 to 1946. Four hundred and fifty served overseas.

White units were understaffed and were unable to get African American personnel to help because of the segregation policy. The Air Force started plans to integrate the units, and in 1948 President Truman signed a directive that called for equal treatment and opportunity for all members of the Armed Forces. This directive led to the end of racial segregation in the Armed Forces.