eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: World War Ii 1941 1945: Origins of War: Europe, Asia and United States

For Students 11th - 12th
Examines the conditions that fostered the rise of Fascism and Nazism, the events during the lead-up to the outbreak of war, and what Roosevelt did to help affected nations yet still keep the United States neutral.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Great Depression in Global Perspective

For Students 9th - 10th
This article gives a great overview of the effects of the Great Depression all over the world. Find the four main responses of various countries to the depression, and see how some of these responses brought about World War II.
Lesson Plan
Discovery Education

Discovery Education: Comparing Athens and Sparta

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Introduce the ideas of limited and unlimited government with a lesson on the government styles in Ancient Greece. Students will compare and contrast Athens and Sparta to understand the two very different governments that each employed....
Handout
Other

Are We a Democracy or a Republic?

For Students 9th - 10th
An essay on the present political state in America contending the country is leaning further towards a republican form of government instead of a democracy. Defines and explains the major differences between democracy and republicanism...
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Postwar Challenges

For Students 5th - 8th
A brief survey of the beginning of the Cold War and the challenges that faced the United States in confronting communist totalitarianism.
Primary
Yale University

The Avalon Project: Manifesto of the Communist Party

For Students 9th - 10th
Complete text of the Communist Manifesto.
Website
British Library

British Library: 20th Century Works: Nineteen Eighty Four

For Students 9th - 10th
"Nineteen-Eighty-Four" is a novel published by George Orwell in 1949. Read an overview and view additional resources such as articles, collection items, and teacher resources.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: The Hannah Arendt Papers

For Students 9th - 10th
Collection of papers of the author, educator, and political philosopher Hannah Arendt.
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: How to Recognize a Dystopia

For Students 9th - 10th
Alex Gendler explains how dystopias act as cautionary tales- not about some particular government or technology, but the very idea that humanity can be molded into an ideal shape. [5:56]
Handout
PBS

Pbs: Commanding Heights Brazil Overview

For Students 9th - 10th
This PBS site features a timeline of important political events in Brazil.
Primary
Marxists Internet Archive

Marxists Internet Archive: Communism

For Students 9th - 10th
Taken directly from the writing of Marx, Engels and Lenin, this entry from the Marxists Internet Archive also includes explanation of the quotations. Very detailed, it will require some sophistication on the part of the reader. Gives an...
Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Book Pairings: "Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi

For Students 7th - 9th
Selected (7) reading passages (grades 7-9) to pair with the autobiography "Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi. "Persepolis" is an autobiographical graphic novel depicting Marjane Satrapi's experience during the Islamic revolution of 1979....
Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Book Pairings: "Grendel" by John Gardner

For Students 9th - 10th
Selected (6) reading passages (grades 9-11) to pair with "Grendel" by John Gardner. [Free account registration required for specific tools.]
Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Book Pairings: "The Giver" by Lois Lowry

For Students 9th - 10th
In the dystopian novel "The Giver," Jonas is chosen to be the new Receiver of Memories; he meets his incumbent -- The Giver, a man who is tasked with holding onto the community's collective experiences and memories. Selected (11) reading...
Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Book Pairings: "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury

For Students 9th - 10th
Set in a future where books are outlawed and firemen burn any they find, fireman Guy Montag questions his role in society and joins an organization committed to starting a revolution. Selected (7) reading passages (grades 8-11) to pair...
Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Book Pairings: "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

For Students 9th - 10th
Selected (13) reading passages (grades 7-12) to pair with the dystopian novel "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley. The World State's motto is "Community, Identity, Stability," and a cast of characters find themselves grappling with these...
Primary
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Ronald Reagan: Evil Empire Speech, June 8, 1982

For Students 9th - 10th
This sites provides a copy of the complete text of Ronald Reagan's Evil Empire Speech, June 8, 1982.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: How Hate Changes Society

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Government classes usually focus on the workings of the United States Government alone. In this unit of study, students will compare the United States government with that of pre-Nazi Germany. This unit will demonstrate to students how...
Primary
Digital Public Library of America

Dpla: The Rise of Italian Fascism and Its Influence on Europe

For Students 9th - 10th
This collection uses primary sources to explore the rise of Italian Fascism and its influence on Europe including Adolf Hitler. Set includes an overview, primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide.
Website
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Fascism in Europe

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Modern History Sourcebook of Fordham University provides links to many scholarly articles on elements of fascism and on how fascism has been manifested in Italy, Spain and other countries.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Repression and Terror: Stalin in Control

For Students 9th - 10th
Brief account of Stalin's tactics for gaining total power by eliminating any individuals who opposed his policies.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Evil Empire

For Students 9th - 10th
Brief article on the "Evil Empire," a term used by Ronald Reagan to describe the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
Handout
Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies

Mocomi: Types of Government

For Students 4th - 8th
Explains the characteristics of seven different types of government. Includes a group activity.
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: Fascism, Nazism and Communism

For Students 9th - 10th
Resource provides the definition of Fascism, Nazism, Communism, and Militarism together with comparisons and examples of the regimes and the dictators who assumed absolute power leading up to WW2.

Other popular searches