2027 MIT Seminars & Application

June 20 - June 25, 2027

The Pacific War was a monumental clash between many nations and cultures, with significant repercussions and effects that reverberate to the present day.

Despite its extraordinary impact, the Pacific War is the lesser-understood side of World War II. It is commonly seen as the war between America and Japan. But it was so much more. Impacting many countries from 1937 – 1945, the war’s enduring effects played an extraordinary role in the subsequent history of all nations of the Pacific, including the United States, and this impact continued to markedly influence the current course of events within and outside the region today.

This seminar features top scholars from notable universities sharing their research and points of view on such topics as the strategic conduct of the Pacific War on several fronts, the concept and practice of total war in the Pacific, including China, Japan and other nations; and other key military and non-military events, including the use of the atom bombs and the domestic transformation of the U.S.

July 11 - July 16, 2027

Like Europe, the Cold War’s roots in East Asia originated in the aftermath of World War II, but issues there soon drew the U.S. into deadly conflicts that affected not only Asia but profoundly impacted American life as well. The USS Midway Institute for Teachers will explore how superpower rivalry in the Far East led to American engagement in regional independence struggles. Presentations will provide insight into multiple aspects of this era including cultural, political, diplomatic, and military perspectives, as well as tailored classroom applications that will enhance the educational content of this highly dynamic phase of American history.