Student Activities for Introduction to World War II
Essential Questions
- What were the causes that lead to World War II?
- Who were the major leaders of World War II?
- What new technology or innovations were used during the war?
- What were the theaters of World War II?
World War II
On November 11th, 1918 World War I or “the war to end all wars” came to an end. Many believed that World War I would be the most catastrophic combat the world would ever see. But in 1939, the world watched Germany invade Poland and once again, humanity witnessed the world spiral into an even more deadly and destructive war. World War II lasted from 1939 to 1945 and over thirty countries took part in a global conflict that resulted between 50,000,000 to 80,000,000 deaths. The most destructive war in human history spanned throughout the globe and forever shaped the geopolitical landscape of the world as we know it.
Before a student of history can understand the magnitude of this global conflict, it is imperative to first answer the question, “How did this war happen?” and hopefully discuss how we can prevent this from ever happening again. Through the examination of the origins of World War II, students will understand the horrific impacts that can occur when the power of leaders go unchecked and hate, along with fear, can quickly spread throughout a planet.
Check out other lesson plans on history and literature during World War II and Holocaust
- The History of the Holocaust
- Introduction to World War II
- World War II: 1939-1941
- World War II: 1942-1945
- Night by Elie Wiesel
- The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
- Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
- The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal
- "First They Came" by Martin Niemoller
- Lily's Crossing By Patricia Reilly Giff
- White Bird by RJ Palacio
- Once by Morris Gleitzman
- Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson
- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
- 2000-158-65 Uniform Patch,Olympics, 1912 • Naval History & Heritage Command • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- 2252-George Patton y Erwin Rommel en Coruña • jl.cernadas • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Battle of Midway remembrance poster #7 • Official U.S. Navy Imagery • License United States Government Work (http://www.usa.gov/copyright.shtml)
- Château de Versailles • Victoriano Rivero • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Château de Versailles - Galería de los Espejos • Victoriano Rivero • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Conference Table at Versailles • Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library Archives • License No known copyright restrictions (http://flickr.com/commons/usage/)
- Edward and Julius Koester at Camp Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina • State Library and Archives of Florida • License No known copyright restrictions (http://flickr.com/commons/usage/)
- General Patton & his dog Willie • mbtrama • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Gresham Encyclopedia - Europe after WW1 • Jon Ingram • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Ike and Patton reviewing Troops Bodmin England • Chris Tingom • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Iwo Jima 7 • ~Ealasaid~ • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Nakajima Aircraft, Ota, Japan 1945 19 of 37 • rich701 • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Olympic Logo 2008 • digibard • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Sherman Tank • Thomas's Pics • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Surrender of Japan, 2 September 1945 Navy carrier planes fly in formation over the U.S. and British fleets in Tokyo Bay during surrender ceremonies. • San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives • License No known copyright restrictions (http://flickr.com/commons/usage/)
- Tank • mrsdkrebs • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- The Committee on Public Information during WW1 • dbking • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Valentine Tanks on the Assembly Line • Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums • License No known copyright restrictions (http://flickr.com/commons/usage/)
- Wood • palacy • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Wood • palacy • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
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