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...
Curated OER
A Look at Exclusion Through Improvisation
Building a realistic understanding of the trials Jews suffered during WWII isn't always easy. This plan employs student constructed dramatic freeze frame scenes to help build a deeper understanding of Jewish Ghettos, concentration camps,...
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Die Weisse Rose: German History
Young scholars conduct research on a German anti-Nazi group named "Die Weisse Rose", the White Rose, that eventually lost their lives for their resistance to Nazi rule. They view films, access the Internet, prepare responsive narratives...
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Propaganda and World War II
What was the true meaning behind WWII propaganda posters? Historians analyze images from the U.S., Great Britain, Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union, sharing findings in small groups. A poster analysis worksheet and all posters are...
Curated OER
World War II - The Allied Response
Your class will benefit from this excellent presentation on World War II, and the Allied Response to Hitler's threat. The PowerPoint is packed with important information about battles, key figures in the war, and has an excellent...
Curated OER
Adolph Hitler
A collage of stark images from World War II compose the background of this presentation about Adolph Hitler. The infamous leader's childhood, rise to power, and eventual defeat are detailed in these slides, filling in many gaps that...
Curated OER
Hitler's Lightning War
When you line them up, you can knock them down. Hitler had a plan, carried it out, and started WWII. This presentation focuses on Hitler's military and political tactics, who he fought, and how his opponents fell. Key players and events...
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Children and World War II
Intended for a younger audience, this presentation provides a very simplistic overview of the people and events key to World War II. They will be introduces to Hitler, Chamberlain, and Churchill, hear an audio piece, and see images from...
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How Did WWII Start?
How did the second world war begin? A presentation first looks at the political climate that led to WWI and the effects of that war. Then, it describes the reason Hitler was able to take hold of Germany after WWI and prior to WWII. The...
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Holocaust and Resistance
High schoolers complete a unit of lessons that examine the Holocaust from the point of view of those who actively resisted the Nazis. They analyze a timeline, participate in a class debate, explore various websites, and write a letter.
US National Archives
The Home Front: How Did People Prepare for the War at Home?
Wars have a profound effect not only on a country's soldiers, but also on the everyday lives of its citizens. Invite young historians to discover how Britain prepared for the second World War by analyzing a series of government posters...
Carolina K-12
Introduction to the Holocaust
Young historians gain a well-rounded insight into the tragedy of the Holocaust by exploring pre-war Jewish life, reading and discussing survivor testimonies, and illustrating their understanding by using their own words and those of a...
American Battle Monuments Commission
The Strategic Bombing Campaign
An extensive look at World War II details the strategic bombing campaign of the Allied forces. Beginning in September 1939 and ending in May 1945, the interactive map follows British and American forces throughout the bombing campaigns...
US Holocaust Museum
Nazi Olympics: Berlin 1936
The Olympics are about more than sports—at times, the games are also a place of racism and prejudice! Pupils investigate the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. They analyze the meaning behind the materials included in the United States...
US National Archives
WWII: Western Europe 1939-45 – Occupation
Warsaw, Poland, suffered much of the blunt of World War II—but according to Polish letters from the early days of Nazi occupation, other parts of the country were much worse off. High schoolers use the letters and contemporaneous...
US National Archives
WWII: Western Europe 1939-45 – Resistance and SOE
Germany seemed to be unstoppable in the early years of World War II, but the tireless and sacrificial work of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) helped to steer the war in another direction. After exploring primary source documents,...
US National Archives
WWII: Western Europe 1939-45 – Deception and Bluff
World War II left the British desperate for help in any form—including in the form of a magician! High schooler conduct research on Jasper Maskelyne, a stage magician who used his talents to deceive the Germans on the war front, before...
Curated OER
Escaping the Holocaust: Incorporating the Voyage of the St. Louis
Students research passengers aboard the St. Louis to explore the difficulties Jewish refugees faced when fleeing Nazi Germany. They research print and online resources, construct histories of individual passengers on the St. Louis.
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Europe in the 1920s
Delicately poised after the dramatic end of WWI and the startling beginning of WWII, this presentation encompassing the positions and roles of Germany, Italy, England, France, and the League of Nations in the 1920's. The first half of...
Curated OER
Julius Caesar
Famous Dictators and their main traits are listed on each slide in this Julius Caesar presentation. Important facts and events from each leaders' life accompany a picture which will keep your students' attention. There are some facts out...
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Master Race
Students view a short film on the rise of Nazism and its main principles. They read first hand accounts of Kristallnacht and identify turning points in Hilter's foreign policy. They write a newspaper article describing what happened...
Curated OER
World War II
In this World War II study guide worksheet, students respond to 19 short answer questions. The questions correlate to assigned readings in a textbook.
Curated OER
The Holocaust
In this Holocaust history study guide worksheet, students read a brief overview pertaining to the Holocaust and then respond to a reflection question.
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Adolf Hitler Fascist Totalitarian Dictator
For this Adolf Hitler study guide worksheet, students read a brief overview pertaining the Fascist totalitarian dictator and then respond to 3 reflection questions.