Study Guide

Understanding Documents:  Everett Dirksen to “Honey Kids,” May 8, 1945

Context:  Everett Dirksen was nearing the end of his trip as he left Italy mid-day on May 7.  At 3:30 p.m., the pilot of Dirksen’s flight from Rome to Paris brought the message that in two or three hours the war in Europe would be over.  Dirksen’s log entry at 4:00 read “flash—Germans have unconditionally surrendered, (Thank God).”  On Tuesday, May 8, Dirksen penned this letter.

STUDY QUESTIONS:

1.  What was the significance of May 8, 1945?

2.  To whom was the letter addressed—who were the “Honey Kids”?

3.  What were the crowds celebrating?

4.  On page 2, Dirksen referred to the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles and to Wilson, Orland, Clemenceau, and Lloyd George.  Who were these gentlemen and what did they do at Versailles?

5.  Is Dirksen optimistic that the war has produced a lasting peace? How do you know?

6.  What evidence does the document contain that Dirksen possessed a sense of history?

7.  Did the letter suggest that Dirksen was once a soldier himself? If so, how do you know?

8.  What passage in the letter best expressed the challenge Dirksen saw for the postwar world?