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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why did most media outlets adopts their reaction to the requirements placed on them?

2. Creepback is a phenomenon occurring in what?

3. Who controlled access to war zones for public media staff?

4. Media outlets were concerned with the esprit de corps in what areas?

5. What practice became popular at home during the war?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why were front line soldiers confused by media presentations of the war?

2. What does RADAR stand for?

3. What is one way that a person could become considered to be subversive?

4. How did advertisers think of and take advantage of the war?

5. Simply stated, what is the policy of "accentuating the positive"?

6. What difficulties did the publishing industry face during the war?

7. What types of stories would be most likely to be reported on?

8. What were American soldiers told they were fighting for?

9. How and why did the media fail to report the entire story of the war?

10. How did soldiers react to the media's presentation of the war?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The use of stereotypes to describe both allied and enemy soldiers was extremely common among American soldiers during World War II. Military leaders did little to dispel these beliefs.

1) Describe some of the stereotypes held by American troops regarding the soldiers of other nations during World War II.

2) Explain how these stereotypes emerged and spread.

3) Discuss the ways that stereotypes about other soldiers can be helpful or harmful. Discuss some harmful stereotypes in particular.

4) Explain why military leaders of the time were willing to tolerate stereotypes about enemy soldiers.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the second World War, soldiers faced constant hazing from their officers. Although largely successful in helping to establish and maintain discipline, these measures were always demeaning, and sometimes dangerous.

1) Explain the unofficial policy of hazing in the US military during World War II.

2) Discuss why this policy was used, and what the army expected to gain through it.

3) Describe some of the unintended side-effects of hazing on the enlisted men.

Essay Topic 3

High-mindedness dominated thought and writing about the war during its later years. Although not unique to World War II, the author asserts that it reaching its peak during this conflict. American citizens and soldiers had markedly different reactions to this approach.

1) Explain what the author means by "high mindedness."

2) Discuss why high-minded thinking about the war came to dominate in the media. What purpose did this serve?

3) Explain how the American public reacted to the increasing high-mindedness presented to them.

4) Describe the reaction of American soldiers to this increasingly abstract explanation for the war. Why couldn't they relate to these concepts, and what affect did this high-mindedness have on them?

5) Assess overall whether or not an emphasis on high-minded ideal was good or bad for the nation during the war.

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