1. Casablanca and World War II A nation’s identity is
paralleled to a selfish,
disillusioned man.
Will he makes good
in the end?

2. To understand the
movie you must
understand Rick.
And to understand Rick,
you must understand
the U.S. prior to WWII.

3. America and World War I Brutal conflict European slaughter
America tips the balance
and proves the difference to
win the war

4. Isolationism of the 20s & 30s
Post-WWI America
Tired of saving Europe
Rejects League of Nations
Turns inward 4
One of Rick’s most famous quotes epitomizes U.S. attitude: “I stick my neck out for nobody.”

5. The Oxford Pledge Showing how dead against war many were in the US:
Nearly 40% of American
college students took this
pledge in 1933 stating that
they would refuse to fight
in any war.

6. Youthful Idealism Rick and America both live selfish lives
prior to the war
American attitude at
the time: “Send guns,
not sons” (meaning,
more or less, don’t
really get involved)

7. The Story of France June, 1940 - France falls to the Germans
in 8 weeks
Northern France
(Occupied France/German
control) “Vichy”
Southern France – Free
France (Resistance)

8. Transformation Casablanca is a story of Rick (on the surface)
but more so of America
(subtext)
The movie becomes a
defense of American
entry into the war
Empathize with Rick,
empathize with
America

9. Resolution
Eventually, America
backs Europe once again
More importantly, the
country turns away
from isolationism 4
“This could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.”