Minnesotan’s fought in two World Wars. Invite a soldier to your school to teach your students, first-hand, as to what these wars were all about and what it was like to be a soldier in these conflicts.
Nationalism, military alliances, economic rivalry, and political pride had thrust Europe into war in 1914. America declared war on Germany in April 1917 when efforts to stay neutral failed. Amid patriotic fervor, Minnesotans enlisted by the thousands and were soon joined by draftees. The Minnesota National Guard embarked for Camp Cody, New Mexico, to become part of a new Thirty-fourth Division, although its artillery regiment, re-designated as the 151st Field Artillery went to the Forty-second “Rainbow” Division. A Minnesota Home Guard was organized to temporarily replace its National Guard. Most Minnesota draftees were sent to Camp Dodge, Iowa, where they were assigned to different units. Fort Snelling trained officers and became a processing center for inductees.
The Great War (WWI) was to be the war to end all wars, but it left many issues unresolved and led directly to the Second World War.
World War II was immense—the largest, most destructive war ever fought. Fifty-seven nations entered into a global struggle that began when Japan invaded China in 1937, grew when Nazi Germany seized most of Europe and North Africa between 1939 and 1941, and exploded world-wide with entry by the US in December 1941.
In response, America mobilized as never before. Minnesota’s reservists and National Guard had already been on active duty for nearly a year and were among the first to engage the enemy. A St. Paul Naval Reserve unit aboard the USS Ward fired the first shot against the Japanese when it sank a Japanese mini-sub at the entrance to Pearl Harbor at dawn on December 7. The attack on Pearl Harbor plunged Americans, including Minnesotans in the bloodiest war in the history of the world.
Historical Experiences brings history to life for your students. Pick a war and invite us to come to your school in the inform of the Minnesota soldier of that war to tell your students all about the causes of the war, how it was fought and what it was like to be soldier in that war.
We make history come alive and we will get your students excited about history. Schedule your history field trip today.