In honor of the Naval Academy's 150th anniversary, The History Channel is proud to present its thrilling complete story-from the agonizing days when graduates fought on opposite sides of the Civil War to the World Wars and regional conflicts of the 20th century. Starting with the legendary John Paul Jones, US Naval Academy features profiles of the Academy's most renowned heroes and includes extensive rare footage of the greatest naval battles. US Naval Academy would be useful for classes on American History, Military History, Maritime History and American Culture. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

150 Years in Annapolis

Vocabulary

• bulwark
• indispensable
• resource
• euphemism
• audacity
• ingenue
• Spartan
• quirks
• degradations
• mandate
• scintillating
• cadre
• curriculum
• advocate
• impetus
• precarious
• austere
• stagnation
• obsolete
• blasphemous
• repose
• prudent
• stalwart
• prodigious

Discussion Questions

1. The United States, as does any other country, defines many of its military needs by its geography. How has the geographic characteristics of the United States necessitated a strong navy?
2. The Naval Academy observes many traditional rituals. What has been the role of tradition in the development of the Naval Academy?
3. After the Revolutionary War, Congress abolished the Continental Navy. Why did Congress abolish the navy?
4. How were naval officers trained before the existence of the Naval Academy?
5. What is the role of technology in naval training and in combat?
6. The Naval Academy sent its share of men to war during the Civil War. Why was the Civil War particularly devastating to the young men at Annapolis?
7. The Naval Academy has a tradition of sponsoring balls and dances for its cadets. What was the function of these balls and dances? How do these activities exemplify the motto "an officer and a gentleman?"
8. Why were African-Americans absent from the Naval Academy well into the twentieth century?
9. Cadets toss their hats into the air at their commencement ceremony. How did this tradition of hat tossing begin?
10. Why are all new cadets known as "plebes?"
11. Women entered the Naval Academy in the late 1970s. How has the admission of women to the academy changed it?

Extended Activities

1. Design a campus for the Naval Academy at Annapolis for its opening in 1845.
2. Imagine that you are a cadet leaving to serve in the Civil War. Write a journal or diary entry that explains why this is so difficult to do.
3. Create a poster celebrating an Army-Navy football game.