Lesson Plan for A Brief History of Camp Shelby

Read the Article:

Author:

Kari Baker

Introduction

When the United States entered World War I in 1917, it was poorly prepared for the challenges ahead. Training a large army required military camps with adequate housing and supplies. To address this, President Woodrow Wilson commissioned Army General John J. Pershing, Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), to construct thirty training camps and cantonments across the country, including Camp Shelby.

Camp Shelby primarily consisted of tents but was equipped with essential facilities such as an electric light plant, bakery, bathhouse, post office, jail, community house, and ammunition house. Designed to accommodate up to 36,000 soldiers at a time, it played a crucial role in preparing troops for battle.

When America entered World War II, Camp Shelby was transformed into a comprehensive training facility, further solidifying its reputation. Many distinguished regiments trained there, contributing to its legacy of excellence. However, by the end of the war, even its impressive track record could not justify the funds needed to maintain the facility.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Camp Shelby became a key training site for National Guard units from across the South. On weekends, the Marine Corps and other reserve components rented the facility for additional training. In 1984, a small museum showcasing historical memorabilia collected by U.S. soldiers during combat opened to the public. With support from across the nation, plans were made to construct a larger museum.

Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, a renewed emphasis on military readiness swept across the United States. Today, Camp Shelby spans 134,000 acres and continues to serve as a vital training ground for troops.

Students Will

Analyze the article’s terminology through discussion and individual research.
Synthesize information to answer questions from the text in the article.
Explore events and information around the creation and use of Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Create a layout drawing of a military training facility.

Curricular Connections

USH 4 | Imperialism and WWI
Assess the domestic and foreign developments that contributed to the emergence of the United States as a world power in the twentieth century. 7. Evaluate the domestic impact of World War I (including the war mobilization effort, changes in the workforce, the origins of the Great Migration, and Schenck vs. United States (1919)).

USH 7 | World War II
Examine the nation’s role in World War II and the impact on domestic and international affairs.
6. Describe the mobilization of various industries to meet war needs.
7. Explain the expansion of the U.S. military through the selective service and the contributions of minority populations (including Native Americans, African Americans, Japanese Americans, and women).

USH 12 | 1992 to the Present
Explain key domestic issues and America’s role in the changing world from 1992 to the present. 2. Describe the reactions to domestic and global terrorism (including the Oklahoma City bombing, the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, Operation Iraqi Freedom, the War in Afghanistan, the U.S.A. P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Homeland Security).

Teaching Levels

Grades 9-12

Vocabulary

American Expeditionary Forces: The American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), commanded by General John Pershing, were the armed forces that the United States sent to Europe during World War I.
Cantonments: Temporary quarters for troops
Rough Riders: A cavalry regiment of volunteers who fought in the Spanish-American War. They were led by Theodore Roosevelt and were the most famous unit of the war.
Infantry divisions: A military unit made up of soldiers that specialize in land-based combat.
Artillery brigades: A military unit that provides support with weapons that shoot large projectiles over long distances.
Tank destroyer unit: A type of military unit used by the United States Army during World War II. The unit was organized in two different forms—a towed battalion equipped with anti-tank guns, or a mechanized battalion equipped with armored self-propelled guns.
Internment camps: A facility that detains people outside of the rule of law. The term is often used to describe the camps that held Japanese Americans during World War II.
Vaunted: To boast of (something),
Armor Brigade: A military unit that consists of several battalions and thousands of soldiers. Brigades are major tactical formations that can be used to execute battles and engagements.
Guerilla warfare: A type of unconventional warfare where small groups of fighters use irregular tactics to harass and disrupt enemy operations

Comprehension Questions

1. What did the United States do to prepare itself for its role in World War I?

2. Why was the name Camp Shelby chosen for the Mississippi training camp?

3. How did Camp Shelby help Mississippi recover from the Great Depression?

4. What future Mississippi leader had to endure racism and segregation when training at Camp Shelby in 1945?

5. What is the name of the museum located on the grounds of Camp Shelby?

Answers

1. The United States created thirty training camps to train and prepare soldiers.

2. Camp Shelby was chosen after Isaac Shelby, a Revolutionary War leader and the first governor of Kentucky.

3. The reconstruction of Camp Shelby brought jobs and money into the state, helping to stimulate the economy.

4. John Peoples

5. Mississippi Armed Forces Museum

Activity

Creating the Perfect Military Camp

Students will read the article A Brief History of Camp Shelby and answer the comprehension questions
Students will make a list of all the things they would put into the perfect military training camp.
Students will draw out their perfect camp on a large piece of paper and name the camp.
Hang camp drawings on the wall and allow the class to have a gallery walk.
Ask students to present their findings.

A Brief History of Camp Shelby