Center for History Education
Continuity or Change? African Americans in World War II
While World War II was a pivotal moment in history, historians debate its importance to the civil rights movement. Class members consider the implications of segregation and the war using a series of documents and a jigsaw activity....
Smithsonian Institution
World War II
December 7th is remembered as a tragic time in American history, but some scholars may not know why. The resource explains the significance of the bombing of Pearl Harbor as well as how World War II relates to American history. The...
Curated OER
World War II - The Holocaust
The Holocaust is the focus of this world history PowerPoint. Viewers are presented with important facts regarding the Holocaust, and the rise of Nazi Germany. They must answer questions such as: "Describe Nazi anti-Semitism in the...
Curated OER
Leaders, Laborers, and Other Perspectives of World War II
How did the women in France feel about their country’s involvement in World War II? Class groups are assigned a country involved in WWII, and individuals within the group adopt the point of view of leaders, laborers, businessmen, women,...
Facing History and Ourselves
The Weimar Republic: Historical Context and Decision Making
Did you know that way before Hitler became a dictator, he actually spent nine months in a German jail? Provide the background for the escalating point before the Nazi party took over in World War II through the exercises in the resource....
Student Handouts
The Players and Their Games
Explore the countries involved in World War II. Pupils find information about what these countries were like before the war. Who was the leader of each country? What issues, concerns, and goals were important in 1938? They fill in their...
Curated OER
World War II: Tracing
In this World War II tracing worksheet, students trace sentences about the leaders during World War II. Students trace 2 sentences total that take up 1 whole page.
MacArthur Memorial
In Their Shoes: WWI Through the Eyes of Early Participants
Several social activities provide showcase the perspective of many prominent figures in World War I history. Students read an assigned case study about a memorable person and complete several activities to further understand this...
National WWII Museum
The War in Europe: Evaluating Historic Decisions
War brings a whole new set of ethical dilemmas. From deciding whether to enlist in a segregated and racist Army to whether to sacrifice civilian lives to prepare for a critical D-Day invasion, leaders during World War II faced many...
Curated OER
Iwo Jima
Here is a crossword puzzle on some of the more important aspects of the Iwo Jima conflict during World War II. There are four words to compose going across, and eight words going down. An answer key is on page two of the worksheet. Good...
Curated OER
Remembering World War II
Students read about America's participation in World War II. They study images, timelines, and other primary source documents.
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
Lesson 3: Japan's "Southern Advance" and the March toward War, 1940-1941
High school historians interpret historical evidence presented in primary resources to decide if the southern advance was a reckless step toward war, or if it was reasonable. They research the Japanese southern advance tactics during the...
Curated OER
World War I
Using maps, diagrams, and lists, this resource is a wonderful way to review the main concepts involving WWI. There are charts with a comparison of imperialism and nationalism, and other key ideas that explain how Europe plunged into this...
Curated OER
World War II
Fifth graders examine primary sources to explore the events leading to World War II. In this World War II lesson plan, 5th graders develop questions and research answers from information found in primary documents. Students view a video...
Curated OER
Italian Enemy Aliens During World War II: Evacuation from Prohibited Zones
Young scholars read and discuss the Enemy Alien Evacuation Order. They perform research by reading newspaper articles from February 1942 as well as investigating available information on the Internet. Students work in groups to create a...
Curated OER
World War Two Facts
In this World War II facts worksheet, students investigate statistics regarding the Holocaust and the World War II death toll. Students also learn about the nation and leaders that fought the war.
National WWII Museum
Race and War in the Pacific: A Propaganda Gallery Walk
Race played a key role in the war in the Pacific during World War II. Using images from both American and Japanese sources, learners consider racial propaganda and how leaders used it to rally popular support during the conflict. After...
Curated OER
World War II Erupts Chapter Review
In this World War II worksheet, students review a chapter as they write 10 vocabulary words that match 10 descriptions, eliminate 4 false sentences, and identify 2 themes from the history of the World War II era.
Curated OER
Chapter 26 – World War II
In this World War II learning exercise, students read assigned textbook pages regarding the war and respond to 104 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Beginning of World War II
Ninth graders explore how the rise of dictators led to the start of World War II. They identify and explain the main causes for World War II and they explain the causes for the rise of dictators during the 1920's.
Curated OER
Causes of World War II
In this World War II activity, students view a PowerPoint presentation on the war and then respond to 82 short answer questions about the content of the presentation. The PowerPoint presentation is not included with this activity.
Curated OER
Japanese-Americans of World War II
High schoolers research the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II and Roosevelt's Executive Order. They listen to an audio file of the Fifth Amendment before holding a mock trial about the policy of internment of...
Curated OER
My Secret War: The WWII Diary of Madeline Beck: Lesson 11
Fifth graders explore world history by participating in a class game. In this propaganda instructional activity, 5th graders identify Madeline Beck and the role women played during World War II. Students create fictitious propaganda...