This is a collection of three video lessons from MASTERPIECE: Historical Drama "World on Fire" based on events in England in the 1940's.

U.S. History is designed to meet the scope and sequence requirements of most introductory courses. The text provides a balanced approach to U.S. history, considering the people, events, and ideas that have shaped the United States from both the top down (politics, economics, diplomacy) and bottom up (eyewitness accounts, lived experience). U.S. History covers key forces that form the American experience, with particular attention to issues of race, class, and gender.Senior Contributing AuthorsP. Scott Corbett, Ventura CollegeVolker Janssen, California State University, FullertonJohn M. Lund, Keene State CollegeTodd Pfannestiel, Clarion UniversityPaul Vickery, Oral Roberts UniversitySylvie Waskiewicz

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Explain what is meant by the term “total war” and provide examples
Describe mobilization efforts in the North and the South
Explain why 1863 was a pivotal year in the war

Investigate the effect that World War II-"total war"-had on a generation of young people, in this excerpt [2:26] from World on Fire, Masterpiece. When two young people, who had fallen in love just as the war began, meet up unexpectedly a year later, their lives have been dramatically changed. Kasia, a young Polish Resistance fighter, is weary and pessimistic. Harry, an English soldier, holds out hope that their love will help them overcome the trauma of war. Teacher tips are included.