The Meaning of Lindbergh's Flight

Different Perspectives on the Historical Significance of the first Transatlantic Flight

An Interactive Internet Lesson

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In 1959, John Ward published an article titled "The Meaning of Lindbergh's Flight".  In this essay, the author stated that Lindbergh's flight was so popular because he acted as a bridge between modernity and tradition.  In other words, both young and old found something in Lindbergh to celebrate.  When I first taught this analysis to my students they balked.  Wasn't this reading too much into the event?  Can't we find out how people really felt about Lindbergh's flight at the time (not as surmised by a historian in 1959)?

During the summer of 1999 I participated in a summer institute put on by the Area 3 History and Cultures Project.  The institute's focus was "History and Memory".  I thought this was the perfect opportunity to study the true meaning of Lindbergh's flight by studying the newspapers immediately following his historic flight.  I found different responses from different groups.  I've divided the responses into different categories.  Your assignment is as follows:

1. Click on the each perspective that you see below

2. For EACH perspective discuss its meaning.  Why was Lindbergh's flight significant from that particular perspective?  Write up a short analysis for each perspective

3. Finally, write a short paragraph in which YOU discuss why you think Charles Lindbergh and his flight were so significant. Choose which perspectives were instrumental in the formation of your opinion. 

Different Perspectives on the Meaning of Lindbergh's Flight
(Click on the perspective assigned to your group)

1.  French perspective of Lindbergh's Flight

2.  American People's View of Lindbergh (Editorial view)

3.  American People's View of Lindbergh #2 (Editorial view)

4.  Lindbergh's Flight in American Advertisements

5.  Lindbergh's Flight and Will Rogers

6.  Aviation Leaders Praise Lindbergh