For many Americans, World War II is now best remembered as "the good war." And it was fought by (who else) The Greatest Generation. The country rallied together, made great collective sacrifice, and ultimately defeated history's most evil monster. At least, that's the way it's traditionally told. Your challenge will be to help your students see that this mythology includes a bit of oversimplification.

To wit: Back in the late 1930s when World War II was actually getting underway, Americans resisted involvement until the last possible moment—even after France had been overrun and Britain was under massive aerial attack. And we mustn't forget that the U.S. not only participated in the Eugenics Movement, but that 28 states had sterilization laws in place in 1935.