Resource
Why They Fight
Analyzing how the military motivates soldiers to go into combat
Posters, films, and newspapers are just a few examples of how the U.S. government motivated its soldiers during World War II. Hear Dr. Christopher Hamner, associate professor at George Mason University and part of ABMC's Understanding Sacrifice program, analyze some of these real-life examples that were used during the war.
Sources
Primary Sources
- "Dig!..or Die!" Newsmap. Monday, April 26, 1943 University of North Texas
- "Basic Training Counts" poster. Engineer Unit Training Center, 1944National Archives and Records Administration
- Automatic Weapons: American vs. German. US War Department, 1943National Archives and Records Administration (24562)
Learn More
- Japan Surrenders, 1945 American Battle Monuments Commission
- Baptism of Fire Internet Archive
Related Resources
Related Activities
Christopher Hamner
Dr. Christopher Hamner is the lead historian for the Understanding Sacrifice program. He teaches at George Mason University, and is the author of Enduring Battle: American Soldiers in Three Wars, 1776-1945. From 2014 to 2016 he was a Visiting Professor at the U.S. Army War College, and in 2012 received Mason's Teaching Excellence Award.