US National Archives
Eastern Europe 1939-45 — Camps
Britain's decision not to bomb German death camps in World War II has provided many questions for historians, but with a primary source analysis lesson, high school students may be a step closer to finding out the truth. Learners read...
US National Archives
Eastern Europe 1939-45 — Stalingrad
Acts of civilian courage in Great Britain—and in one case, the island of Malta—often receive the George Cross, instituted by King George VI at the beginning of World War II. After the valiant defense of Stalingrad by its inhabitants,...
US National Archives
Eastern Europe 1939-45 — Ukraine
Was Joseph Stalin desperate or exaggerating the USSR's need for assistance on the Eastern Front in 1942? History students examine two differing opinions on Stalin's position and the reality of the Eastern Front just three years before...
US National Archives
WWII: Asia 1939-45 – Burma
Because World War II encompassed most of the globe in one way or another, many pivotal battles and events are not as visible in the history books, leaving veterans of these conflicts feeling overlooked by more famous skirmishes. High...
US National Archives
WWII: Asia 1939-45 – Singapore
The fall of Singapore in World War II was shocking news for the Allied forces—but why? High schoolers explore primary source documents and videos to determine why February 15, 1942 was a wake-up call to the British Empire and its allies...
US National Archives
WWII: The Pacific 1939-45 – Iwo Jima
Of the images that have permeated history to define American courage, perseverance, and patriotism, the 1945 photograph of United States Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima is one of the most well known. After researching the pivotal...
US National Archives
WWII: The Atlantic 1939-45 – Battle of the Atlantic
The most dangerous line of attack during World War II wasn't the German planes soaring above Britain, but the U-Boats cutting off their supplies of food and equipment. Learners research the Battle of the Atlantic, the German campaign to...
US National Archives
WWII: The Pacific 1939-45 – Pearl Harbor
Though December 7th, 1941 was a day "which would live in infamy," World War II had provided many infamous days, events, battles, and atrocities in the years before. So why were American forces so surprised when Japan attacked Pearl...
US National Archives
WWII: The Pacific 1939-45 – Japan and the Atom Bomb
Though the scientists who developed the atom bomb did not believe it should be used to end World War II, American President Harry S. Truman and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill were of like mind in their decision to drop the bomb...
Echoes & Reflections
Perpetrators, Collaborators, and Bystanders
After the Holocaust, the world grappled with how to bring justice to the Nazis. But what to do with the thousands—if not millions—who allowed it to happen? Young historians consider the issues of guilt, collaboration, and responsibility...
Echoes & Reflections
Antisemitism
Propaganda and anti-semitism were linked to evil ends during the Holocaust. Using video testimony of Holocaust survivors, examples of Nazi propaganda, and discussion questions, learners explore the roots of anti-semitism in Europe and...
Curated OER
Governing National Socialist Germany
Students spend a month discovering the role of the Nazi Dictatorship during the Holocaust. Using the internet, they research the history of the Nazi party and the decline of the Weimar Republic. They examine how Hitler rose to power...
Curated OER
Genocide: Past & Present
Students visit the Holocaust Musuem through an interactive program. They examine Hitler's Final Solution and where concentration camps were located. They analyze how the situations in Auschwitz are similiar to Darfur.
Curated OER
World War II
For this World War II study guide worksheet, learners respond to 19 short answer questions. The questions correlate to assigned readings in a textbook.
Curated OER
AGGRESSION Comprehension Worksheet
For this World War II worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer questions regarding aggression of countries that feature the letters of the word "aggression" as mnemonic hooks.
Curated OER
Write a Letter to Jesse Owens
Students examine the accomplishments of Jesse Owens and the views of the Nazi Party in 1936. They read and discuss two handouts, conduct research on the Nazi Party's views and the Civil Rights Movement in American in 1936, and write a...
Curated OER
The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939
In this online interactive world history worksheet, students answer 20 fill in the blank questions regarding the years between World Wars I and II. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
Curated OER
The Holocaust
Eleventh graders identify new vocabulary related to the Holocaust. In this Holocaust lesson, 11th graders complete a vocabulary self awareness chart and answer questions while viewing a video about the Holocaust.
Curated OER
The Jewish Holocaust
Ninth graders research the causes and events of the Jewish holocaust during World War II. They view a video and PowerPoint presentation and take notes, participate in a class discussion about the term "genocide," and take a quiz.
Curated OER
Master Race Video Worksheet
Students watch a video "Master Race" and complete a instructional activity.
Curated OER
Nazis Flying Saucers – Film Sparks UFO Debate
Students explore the aircraft used in World War II. In this World History lesson, students read an article that describes a "flying saucer" created by the Nazi's. Upon completion of the reading, students answer questions on the article,...
Curated OER
Jeopardy Review for WWII
Students participate in a Jeopardy-style review game for a quiz on WWII. They divide into teams, choose team captains and answer a variety of questions pertaining to the study of WWII.
Curated OER
Nazism
Tenth graders explore the acts of the Nazi party and discuss how people can commit atrocities against humanity. They discuss the aspects of the Aryan race that the Nazis identified with and how they led them to think they should purify...
Anne Frank House
Who Was Anne Frank?
Set the stage for a study of The Diary of a Young Girl with a resource that includes background information about Anne Frank's early years, the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands, her Secret Annex hiding place, and her capture and...