A lot has been told and retold about the second great war titled World War 2. History represents the story of the whole war in a clearly defined order. World War 2 was a vital turning point for the world, but it was particularly significant for the United States. Many men and women endured hardships to make it possible for the United States to survive the war and come out of it as a world power. Many of those who participated paid the ultimate price. By the end of the war, it was a clear victory for the allies.
A well-known general history of the war
Although, the situation was much different at the beginning. In 1942, the Axis powers had the upper hand. Germany was already occupying major parts of Western Europe and was on its way to capturing Eastern Europe. While Japan had free reigns in the Pacific Ocean and beyond. So many people paid with their lives to turn the situation around, both civilians and soldiers.
The lesser-known fact about the contribution of Native Americans
But what generally is lesser known about how the war was won is the Native Americans’ role. Their role was nowhere more prominent than in the most vital of the military’s functions, i.e., communications. Secure communications can decide the fate of not just a battle but most probably the entire outcome of a war. Before Native Americans lent their help, communication getting captured by the enemy was common. The Japanese military had concrete knowledge about the United State military’s plans even before the battle. But with the involvement of the Native Americans, specifically the Navajo people, the whole scenario turned on its head. The Native American ‘Code Talkers’ created an indecipherable code against the Japanese military. This code was so secure that it is said to have won many major campaigns and engagements for the United States.
This lesser-known fact should be well known, but unfortunately, this is not the case. Informing children about the contribution of the Native American braves during the war is especially impactful today. Following are a couple of reasons why it is so.
Opens their eyes to the significant support provided by Native Americans
Children’s minds are sponges when it comes to learning. Their capacity to absorb information is amazing. When they learn about a previously unknown fact, it deeply impacts their personality. The significance of any new revelation can not be denied, and when they learn a relevant historically significant fact, the impact is more personal. When indigenous children learn about what Native Americans contributed to the war effort, they learn some important lessons that have long-lasting significance on their future.
Imparts the importance of working together with others for a common cause
Children are continuously learning from stories, but what gets their attention is learning through real-life examples. People’s contribution to identifying a deeper connection can teach children more than any other story. When children learn how different people came together to work on a massive problem to overcome it, the lesson learned has a huge impact on their young minds. They realize the significance of teamwork and how working together can help people solve problems is a very smart idea.
In conclusion
Children love stories. They learn impactful life lessons by listening to stories. And if children get to know stories that have a historical significance for them, the message is far easier to digest for them, and the impact from these stories is far more significant for them.
