Background

Coming just two decades after the last great global conflict, the Second World War was the most widespread and deadliest war in history, involving more than 30 countries on two fronts (Europe and Pacific) and resulting in more than 50 million military and civilian deaths (with some estimates as high as 85 million dead). Sparked by Adolf Hitler’s invasion of Poland in 1939, the war would drag on for six deadly years until the final Allied defeat of both Nazi Germany and Japan in 1945.

Make a comment addressing the following information:

• What is a war?
• Why do wars occur?
• What impacts (positive and/or negative) do wars have on society?
• Why should we study wars in history?

Causes of World War II 

Even though the 1920s began with a favorable outlook for peace, toward the end of the decade and throughout the 1930s the clouds of war were forming. Dictators arose in countries that were dissatisfied with the results of World War I. Germany, Italy and Japan took aggressive actions, and neither the League of Nations nor the democratic countries were able or willing to stop them. British Prime Minister Chamberlain suggested the best way to deal with Hitler was a policy of appeasement. Actions were taken that moved Europe toward war. The debate over the causes of World War II provides different perspectives.

Watch this video that explains different theories about what caused World War II:

Causes of WWII Document Based Questioning (DBQ) Activity:

To understand the various perspectives on the causes of WWII, read through these DBQs. Be sure to:

1. Carefully read the document-based analyzing question. Consider what you already know about this topic. How would you answer the question if you had no documents to examine?
2.  Now, read each document carefully, underlining/highlighting key phrases and words that address the document-based question. You may also wish to add in brief notes.
3. Answer the document-based analyzing questions for each document after completing steps 1-2 (remember... you may have to complete step 2 multiple times). 

After reading and analyzing each document, make an update on the following conclusion:

Why was the world plunged into World War II in 1939?

Make sure to cite specific textual evidence from the documents to support and prove your answer.  Your update should be logically presented and should include information both from the documents and from your own knowledge outside of the documents. 

Once finished with all required lesson activities, complete the WWII Causes Survey

Background

In late August 1939, Hitler and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin signed the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact, which incited a frenzy of worry in London and Paris. Hitler had long planned an invasion of Poland, a nation to which Great Britain and France had guaranteed military support if it was attacked by Germany. The pact with Stalin meant that Hitler would not face a war on two fronts once he invaded Poland, and would have Soviet assistance in conquering and dividing the nation itself. On September 1, 1939, Hitler invaded Poland from the west; two days later, France and Britain declared war on Germany, beginning World War II.

Watch this video about the beginning events leading up to World War II:

On September 17, Soviet troops invaded Poland from the east. Under attack from both sides, Poland fell quickly, and by early 1940 Germany and the Soviet Union had divided control over the nation, according to a secret protocol appended to the Nonaggression Pact. Stalin’s forces then moved to occupy the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) and defeated a resistant Finland in the Russo-Finish War. During the six months following the invasion of Poland, the lack of action on the part of Germany and the Allies in the west led to talk in the news media of a “phony war.” At sea, however, the British and German navies faced off in heated battle, and lethal German U-boat submarines struck at merchant ships bound for Britain, sinking more than 100 vessels in the first four months of World War II.

To understand the term "phony war" and the events that occured during this 8 month period, please watch the video below:

Make a comment:

• What does the term "phony" mean?
• Why would Allies publicly deem the war as a "phony"?  
• Provide a modern day example from today's world as something that could be publicly deemed "phony" and explain why.

Background

As Hitler and Mussolini began to take over land in the 1930s, the United States deemed it "a European problem". Due to the scars still fresh from World War I, as well as the suffering from the Great Depression, the United States chose to directly stay out of the conflict.

While tensions mounted in Europe, there was also a growing problem in Asia. Tensions between the Japanese and the western nations of the world began after World War I. The Japanese were unhappy that their needs were ignored during the peace talks, even though they had fought on the side of the Allies from the beginning of the war in 1914. Tensions increased, primarily between the Japanese and the United States, as Japan began their invasion of China in the 1930s.

As Japan continued to take parts of China, as well as island colonies of the US's European alliances in the South Pacific, the United States responded by passing an embargo on oil and iron resources to Japan. The Japanese, desperate for both of these resources for their continually industrialization and military strength, became extremely frustrated with the United States, who had claimed to be neutral in the conflict. Japan then began planning a coordinated and well-organized military attack on the United States. This attack commenced on December 7, 1941, at the US military base of Pearl Harbor located in the US territory of Hawaii. 

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke to Congress and urged them to declare war on Japan. His address to Congress has become one of the most famous in the history of the presidency. Please listen to his address. 

On December 8, 1941, Congress passed a motion declaring war on Japan. Three days later, the Japanese allies of Germany and Italy then declared war on the United States. The United States was now part of World War II. 

Watch the following crash course video on the impacts that entering World War II had on the United States:

Make a comment addressing the following information:

• Overall, do you believe that America was better or worse off for entering World War II?
• Why do you believe this?
• Make sure to cite at least FOUR specific reasons for your choice.

Background

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, propaganda is described as "ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause." Similar to World War I, agencies on both sides of the war during WWII were set up to produce propaganda that would be released to the general public. 

Look at the following propaganda posters from World War II. Make mental notes of not only their message(s), but also what characterisitics they all have in common.

Message: Propaganda either focuses on positively portarying a country or showing some type of exaggerated negative aspect of their enemy

Common characteristics of propaganda:

• Short slogan
• Small amount of words
• Large pictures
• Try to be persuasive

WORLD WAR II PROPAGANDA POSTER ACTIVITY

Step 1 - Make an update by creating your own WWII propaganda poster - either computer generated or hand drawn. Attach your poster into Scholar as an image file. Follow the guidelines below:

• Catchy slogan
• Some sort of illustration(s) related to the slogan & appropriate for the time period
• Is persuasive to the audience with a clear message (make sure it is school-appropriate!!!)
• Be neat, colored, and easy to read
• Use your creativity

Step 2 - Comment on THREE other student's updates by determining their poster's message.

Before you begin your poster, you may want to view the following video on propaganda techniques with examples.

Background

World War II ended up being the deadliest war in history. Battles during this conflict occurred on or near every continent on Earth. 

To review the events and battles of World War II, go to the interactive maps at the History Channel, American Battle Monuments Commission, and the National Archives. You will need Adobe Flash to view these maps. 

WORLD WAR II BATTLE PROJECT

Step One:

In Creator, you will be creating a work addressing one of the major battles of World War II. Make sure to follow the assignment rubric:

Below is the list of battles that you may choose from. Send me a message through Scholar on your top THREE choices - keeping in mind that you may not get those! I will message you back within 24 hours with your assigned battle. List of battles:

• Battle of Anzio
• Battle of the Atlantic
• Battle of Britain
• Battle of the Bulge
• Battle of Coral Sea
• Battle of Dunkirk
• Battle of El Alamein
• Battle of Guadacanal
• Battle of Iwo Jima
• Battle of Java Sea
• Battle of Leyte Gulf
• Battle of Midway
• Battle of Monte Cassino
• Battle of Normandy
• Battle of Okinawa
• Battle of the Philippine Sea
• Battle of Saipan
• Battle of Sicily
• Battle of Singapore
• Battle of Stalingrad

Address the following topics about your battle:

• Name of the battle
• Location of the battle
• Participating countries
• Types of weaponry used
• Events that led upto the battle
• Reasons explaining why the battle occured
• Major generals involved
• Kinds of battle strategies used
• Abridged rundown of how the battle played out
• Winner and how they won
• Why this battle was important

Additional Requirements:

• At least one map of the battle location
• Minimum of five pictures (not including map and school appropriate)
• Works cited included at the end

Step Two:

Once your battle work is submitted, you will be required to peer-review at least TWO other student's works. You will need to make sure to utilize the rubric (attached above) when giving your comments and give specific constructive comments to help your peers enhance their work. You will have two days to complete this process from the 1st submission date.

Step Three:

Once you have received your peer-reviewed comments, you will be allowed to make any adjustments on your battle work before you submit it for publication. This will be due one week from the first submission date.

Background

The Holocaust refers to the genocide of Europe's Jews (as well as Romas, some Slavic peoples, and the disabled) by Adolf Hitler and the Nazis during World War II.  The Nazis, who came to power in Germany in January 1933, believed that Germans were "racially superior" and that the Jews, deemed "inferior," were a threat to creating a strong German Empire (later known as the Third Reich).  Hitler began the Holocaust with the implementation of this Final Solution plan.  During this time period, Europe's Jews had their basic rights taken away, were moved into ghettos and later concentration camps, and were mass-murdered.  

Read this article from the History Channel.

Please watch Discovery Education's The Holocaust: In Memory of Millions:

At the end of the lesson:

Make a comment describe what life was like for a Jewish person living during the time of the Holocaust. Make sure to use information from the article and video to support your answer.  

Create an update discussing ONE of the following questions.  Then, comment on at least three of your peers updates that answered a different discussion question than the one you chose.  

• What factors led to Hitler and the Nazi Party taking power in Germany? Why do you think the German people supported their actions?
• The Holocaust was a human tragedy on a global scale. Millions of lives were exterminated by Hitler and the Nazis, and many more people died trying to stop them. Do you believe it’s possible that a similar tragedy could still happen in the world today, even though the human race has already experienced it before? Why or why not? Are similar, smaller events going on right now (and in the recent past)? If so, why do you think they are happening?
• Imagine what it would have been like to be a German person your age during World War II. Do you think you would have been able to resist the propaganda and not join one of the many Hitler youth programs? Explain your response.
• Anne Frank is famous for her statement that, despite her experiences during World War II, she still believed in the goodness of people. Knowing what you know about the events that transpired in Nazi concentration camps, do you have the same belief? Discuss the argument that the Nazi soldiers “were following orders” when they committed these war crimes. Discuss other factors that might also have contributed to their behaviors, such as propaganda and mob psychology.
• Which do you think is a more effective way to learn about the Holocaust—through a careful analysis of historical facts or through listening to a wide selection of stories told by survivors? Does one of these methods offer a more realistic portrait of history? Explain your response.
• It is said that we must learn about the past in order not to relive it. At the same time, however, we are told not to dwell in the past. How do you think these adages should or should not be applied to the Holocaust? Is one of them more applicable than the other? Can they both be true? Explain and defend your answers.

Background

Throughout the 1930s, scientists in the United States experimented with uranium and plutonium trying to discover the secrets of their atomic structure. In 1938, two scientists in Germany successfully split the nucleus of an atom. This became known as nuclear fission. President Franklin D. Roosevelt feared that Adolf Hitler would try to build a nuclear fission bomb. As a result, he secretly gave approval for a team of United States scientists to try to create the first atomic bomb. The code name for this top secret project for unleashing the power of the atom was The Manhattan Project, due to much of the early work being completed in New York City. 

Read this article describing the timeline of events of the Manhattan Project. Then, watch the following video.

Make a comment: Is it ever justified to use a weapon of mass destruction? Do you think it is a deterrent for nuclear war or an accelerator to nuclear war? Explain in detail.

Manhattan Project Scientist R.A.F.T. WRITING ACTIVITY

Step 1 - Research ONE person that was involved in some aspect of creating the atomic bomb. Use this website (as well as outside research). Create an update of 300 words or more using the following information to create a R.A.F.T. writing piece.

Role: Manhattan Project employee
Audience: Family/Friend at home
Format: Letter
Topic: Describe your daily life of working on the project, including your specific role in the process of creating the atomic weapon. 

Step 2 - Respond to at least THREE updates following the guidelines below:

Letter format
Contain at least 100 words
Address specifics that were described in the employee's letter

Use this rubric to help you!

Background

Between 1942-1943, the tide of the war began to shift towards the Allied Powers.

European Front:

During Operation Torch (1942), American and British troops began to drive the Fascist Italians (and some Nazi Germans) out of the northern part of Africa. This was later followed by the Allies continuing their pursuit of the Italians across the Mediterranean Sea, where they later liberated Sicily (Summer 1943) and Italy (September 1943).

Meanwhile, the Soviet Union began their assault on the Nazi Germans from the eastern region of Europe. After the failed attempt of the Germans to overtake the Soviet Union, the Soviets began to push the Germans out of the European Baltic nations located in the east region of Europe with the hope of pushing them back into their own country's borders. 

In 1944, the Allied nations instituted Operation Overload with the intent of invading northwest France. This operation commenced with the Battle of D-Day in June 1944 when Allied and Axis Powers fought on the French beaches of Normandy. This later led to the Allies liberating Paris in August 1944 and by December 1944, the Germans turned back to their own border after the Battle of the Bulge. 

By the spring of 1945, the Germans were surrounded by the Allied nations. On April 30, 1945, Hitler committed suicide, and on May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered unconditionally. World War II in Europe officially ended. (V-E Day). 

Pacific Front:

With the Allied success at the Battles of Coral Sea and Midway in 1942 and followed by the successful Battle of Guadalcanal in 1943, the Allies began their assault of the Japanese through an island hopping campaign. For this strategy, the Allied troops would strategically choose to attack certain islands in the Pacific that were not heavily defended by the Japanese. The hope was that taking these islands first would allow the Allied powers to eventually drive the Japanese back into their own nation. 

By late 1944 and early 1945, the Allied nations were able to liberate many of the regions that were occupied by the Japanese. With the Japanese refusing to surrender after major bombings, the Allied nations began to develop a plan to invade the nation of Japan. This would be an extremely costly plan - both in money and materials, as well as in the lives of the troops. In July 1945, Harry S Truman (the current US president, who had taken over the presidency after FDR's death in April 1945) was notified of the successful test of the first atomic bomb. With this new technology finally a reality, Truman began to rethink the plan of invading Japan. In the end, the US decided to drop its first atomic weapon on Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 1945. With still no surrender response from the Japanese, Truman then authorized the dropping of a second atomic bomb on Nagaski, Japan three days later. On August 14, 1945, it was announced that the Japanese would surrender. The war finally ended in the Pacific on September 2, 1945 (V-J Day) when the Japanese formally surrendered to the United States. 

Please watch the following video that summarizes the end of World War II in both Europe and the Pacific:

Dropping of the Atomic Bomb Document Based Questioning Activity

One of the most controversial turning points in history was the decision made by U.S. President Harry S Truman to use atomic weapons on Japan, the lone remaining Axis Power at the conclusion of World War II. Read through these DBQs related to the eventual dropping of the atomic bombs. Be sure to:

1. Carefully read the document-based analyzing question. Consider what you already know about this topic. How would you answer the question if you had no documents to examine?
2. Now, read each document carefully, underlining/highlighting key phrases and words that address the document-based question. You may also wish to add in brief notes.
3. Answer the document-based analyzing questions for each document after completing steps 1-2 (remember... you may have to complete step 2 multiple times).

After reading and analyzing each document, make an update on the following conclusion:

In your opinion, was the decision to drop atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki a military necessity? If so, why was this needed to end World War II? If not, was it justifiable for a reason other than military necessity?

Costs of World War II

World War II has caused more destruction and loss of life than any other war in history. About 70 million people served in either the Allied or Axis armed forces with nearly 17 million of these losing their lives. There is no accurate record of how many civilians lost their lives due to the bombing raids that destroyed many of the records that were needed to account for these deaths. In addition, it is estimated that in today's money that World War II would have cost over 3.5 trillion US dollars. 

Watch this video about the aftermath of World War II:

Make a comment:

Overall, do you believe that World War II had a positive or negative effect on the world? Why or why? Make sure your opinion is supported with historical facts learned throughout this module.