This lesson consists of film and videotapes taken from events in Mr. Byrnes' career. We are fortunate in this program that we can actually see and hear Mr. Byrnes himself. The news films were originally shown in movie theaters between features, primarily in the days before television. The videotapes are from television newscasts and documentaries previously done on Mr. Byrnes. These segments are tied together by the host who is at various locations, including Mr. Byrnes' statue on the State House grounds and at the Byrnes' home on Heathwood Circle in Columbia. The Byrnes home was left to the University of South Carolina upon Mrs. Byrnes' death.
The lesson opens with a portion of Billy Graham's eulogy to Mr. Byrnes at the memorial service at the State House in April 1972. Following, is a portion of the CBS-TV program Person-to-Person, hosted by the late newscaster Edward R. Murrow. In this program, telecast in April 1959, Mr. Murrow, in New York, interviews the Byrnes in their Columbia home. Next is a news clip documenting Mr Byrnes' early life. Following this is another news clip on Byrnes' appointment to the United States Supreme Court, then his appointment as Economic Stabilizer, and as Director of War Mobilization.
From there we go back to a Person-to-Person interview where Mr. Byrnes discusses his political philosophy Then there is a news clip showing Byrnes taking the oath of office as Secretary of State, the Potsdam Conference and portions of his speech in Stuttgart, Germany where he reveals the United States' plan for rehabilitating war-torn Germany. This is followed by portions of a speech delivered by then West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt in Columbia in 1979. Schmidt's prime purpose for coming to Columbia was to honor the memory of Byrnes who he said had done so much for the Germans in the post-war days.
Jimmy Byrnes had little trust in the Soviet government and the next three clips relay these feelings. We then see Byrnes at his inauguration as governor in January 1951. The program ends with his funeral procession entering Trinity Churchyard.
Standards
- Along with the rest of the world, the United States and South Carolina experienced economic instability during this period. As a result, political instability and worldwide conflict consumed the world in the 1940s. Following World War II, the United States emerged as a world leader through political policies and economic growth.
- This indicator was developed to promote inquiry into how America’s international leadership evolved before, during, and after World War II. This indicator was also designed to promote inquiry into the different alliances that were formed by the ...
- This indicator was developed to promote inquiry into how the U.S. government viewed its position in world affairs. Further, inquiry is encouraged through a focus on governmental policies such as Lend Lease, the Neutrality Acts of the 1930s, and the pe...
- This indicator was developed to promote inquiry into how the lifestyles of those living in capitalist countries differed from those living in communist countries. This indicator was also designed to promote inquiry into how the rights of citizens differed in capitalist and communist countries.
- The modern era has seen an increase in global interdependence culturally, economically, and politically since 1920. The advent of technology has fueled the interconnectedness of the world. Civil rights and independence have been at the forefront of this era; however, tensions remain in how to achieve these goals.
- 6.5.CE Explain the impact of nationalism on global conflicts and genocides in the 20th and 21st centuries.
- This indicator was developed to promote inquiry into the global impact of the Great Depression, using the Stock Market Crash of 1929 as a major turning point. This indicator was also developed to promote inquiry into the formation and expansion of sta...
- 7-5 The student will demonstrate an understanding of international developments during the Cold War era.
- Events during the Cold War affected the world politically, socially, and economically. To understand the significance of the Cold War, the student will utilize the knowledge and skills set forth in the following indicators:
- 7-5.1 Compare the political and economic ideologies of the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
- 7-5.2 Summarize the impact of the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the United Nations, and the Warsaw Pact on the course of the Cold War.
- Events during the Cold War affected the world politically, socially, and economically. To understand the significance of the Cold War, the student will utilize the knowledge and skills set forth in the following indicators:
- 8-6 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the role of South Carolina in the nation in the early twentieth century.
- This indicator was designed to promote inquiry into military and economic policies during World War II, to include the significance of military bases in South Carolina. This indicator was also developed to foster inquiry into postwar economic developments and demographic changes, to include the immigration of Jewish refugees following the Holocaust.
