Series: Pittsburgh, PA, WWII Heritage City Lessons

This is a series of lesson plans about the WWII home front, focused on Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a World War II Heritage City. The lesson contains primary and secondary sources readings, photographs, statistics and other resources, as well as questions for students to consider. The lessons highlight specific contributions of the people of Pittsburgh, and they connect to the larger themes and understanding of the US home front during wartime.

• Article 1: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Introduction: A series of lessons from the WWII Heritage Cities Lesson Collection

  

  Overview of three lessons, and culminating fourth lesson, develop the significance of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as an American World War II Heritage City: its impacts to home front efforts with its contributions to war manufacturing and industry, with accompanying economic, social, geographical, and environmental changes. The lessons highlight specific contributions but connect to larger themes and understandings of the U.S. home front during wartime. Read more

• Article 2: (H)our History Lesson: The Development and Contributions of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, WWII Heritage City

  

  This lesson is part of a series teaching about the World War II home front, with Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a designated American World War II Heritage City. The lesson has photographs, secondary source readings, and a newspaper excerpt to show the contributions of Pittsburgh and its people to the War effort, and the change and development of the area. The lesson also has analysis of propaganda posters. There is an optional environmental history reading and activity. Read more

• Article 3: (H)our History Lesson: Women’s Contributions to the Home Front in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, WWII Heritage City

  

  This lesson is part of a series teaching about the World War II home front, with Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, an American World War II Heritage City. The lesson contains photographs, two newspaper articles, and an interview to contribute to learners’ understandings about the home front contributions of women in Pittsburgh. The lesson does not cover all roles women played but does cover women in industry and women volunteerism. Read more

• Article 4: (H)our History Lesson: African American Contributions on the Home Front in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, WWII Heritage City

  

  This lesson is part of a series teaching about the World War II home front, with Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania an American World War II Heritage City. The lesson contains photographs, a background reading, and newspaper excerpts to contribute to learners’ understandings about the experiences and contributions of African Americans on the home front in Pittsburgh. It examines discrimination faced and the impacts of the Double V campaign. Extensions offer documentaries and readings. Read more

• Article 5: (H)our History Lesson: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Comparing and Connecting WWII Home Front Cities

  

  This lesson is part of a series teaching about the World War II home front, with Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania an American World War II Heritage City. The lesson contains photographs, 2 readings, a documentary extension, and a culminating mastery project. The first reading shares Pittsburgh voices, and the second connects Pittsburgh to the Heritage City designation. The culminating project explores the city as a WWII Heritage City, especially in combination with the other lessons. Read more