Lesson III: War Hysteria

A government study commission found "war hysteria" to be a significant factor in the incarceration episode. Much of that extreme anxiety was brought about by rumors. Rumors were rife that the Japanese were sending secret messages by way of mirrors, etc. to the enemy and that a fleet of submarines was lurking along the coast.

Objective: To show how rumors develop.

Method:

1. The teacher will whisper a few sentences into the ear of one student. That student will try to whisper the same message to the next student and so on. When 6 to 8 students have heard the message, have the last student tell the class what he/she thought he/she heard.

2. The message will quite likely be changed. Explain that this is how rumors spread. Also, in times of fear, people tend to exaggerate or purposely "bend" the facts. Political leaders sometimes indulge in it for their own political interests.

3. Have students write one page or more on one experience with rumor and the outcome.