This documentary chronicles the story of the Titanic. The largest and most luxurious ship ever built, the Titanic was supposed to be unsinkable, but the ship sank on its maiden voyage from Southhampton, England to New York. The symbol of the gilded age, the Titanic was a floating tribute to the progress, optimism, and arrogance of the industrial era. Titanic captures not only the story of one of the world's greatest disasters, but also the essence of the industrial and Progressive age.

This documentary would be useful for classes on American History, History of Science and Technology, Cultural History and Immigration History. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Death of a Dream (Part 2)

• buoyed
• chaotic
• chastised
• evasive
• founder
• gala
• haphazard
• heartwrenching
• hysterical
• indication
• instilled
• linger
• mortally
• navigation
• negligence
• peril
• precaution
• promenade
• prudently
• radius
• rebuke
• syndrome
• urgency
• virtually

1. Several warnings from other ships regarding icebergs were sent to the Titanic. Why were these warnings taken so lightly? Was the captain and the crew negligent?

2. When the Titanic approaches the iceberg, First Officer Murdoch orders his crew to turn ship hard to starboard. How did Murdoch's order contribute to the ships destruction?

3. No expense or luxury was spared in the construction of the Titanic, yet there were not enough lifeboats. Why did the ship contain only enough lifeboats to save less than half the ship's passengers and crew?

4. Although the captain and the senior officers of the crew tried to express the gravity of the situation, most passengers, and even some crew members, did not believe they were in danger. Why was there such disbelief of the impending peril?

5. Why were women and children put into the lifeboats first, before the men?

6. Third class passengers were prevented from going on deck until the first and second class passengers were attended. One commentator states that third class passengers were neglected to death. Why would the class of the passengers play a role in their chances for survival? Does this imply that the value of life was class-based on the Titanic?

7. The sinking of the Titanic, while a story of disaster and terror, is also a story of heroes. What heroic deeds occurred on the night of April 14, 1912?

1. Imagine that you are a survivor of the Titanic disaster. Write an account of your experience the night of April 14, 1912.

2. Write an essay discussing the role of the newly invented Marconi wireless system in the saga of the Titanic. Did the wireless play a role in the amount of people who did survive the disaster?

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Air Dates

• January 04, 2005