US National Archives
WWII: Western Europe 1939-45 – Hamburg
Was bombing German cities an effective means to an end, or was it a war crime? Could it be both? Young historians ponder these questions with an activity that prompts them to use primary sources to summarize the debate surrounding RAF...
Curated OER
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...
Facing History and Ourselves
Justice After the Holocaust
Though there could be no true justice for the horrors of the Holocaust, many of those responsible for crimes against humanity were found guilty in the eyes of the law. Using primary and secondary sources in the 16th installment of a...
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...
Curated OER
An English-Speaking World
An overview of the development of English as a global language fills out these slides. Beginning with statistics regarding how much of the world speaks English and to what capacity, a brief history is then given mostly pertaining to WWII...
Curated OER
Pre WWII Germany - Inflation
Eleventh graders differentiate between inflation and hyperinflation. They explain the economic conditions in Germany before WWII and the roles of government in a market economy. They analyze the importance of keeping inflation under...
Curated OER
Propaganda, WWII, Ghetto‘s, and Analysis of Primary Resources
Learners consider the implications of anti-Semitism. In this World War II lesson, students examine selected documents and images featuring the propaganda that promoted Jewish persecution. Learners write essays that highlight how the Nazi...
Curated OER
Deportation and Loss
Seventh graders discuss the issues of isolation and deportation as they are related to the Holocaust. After reading a brief passage about deportation and confinement in a concentration camp, 7th graders discuss the feelings involved in...
Curated OER
U.S. Immigration Policy and Hitler's Holocaust
Students read about immigration to the U.S. during the Holocaust. In this immigration instructional activity, students write answers to discussion questions. Students role play members of the 1951 U.N. conference and create...
Curated OER
The Cold War: Chapter 9: Lesson 1
Used as a quick review of the Cold War, Korean War, and Cuban Missile Crisis, this presentation could be in many scenarios. However, the graphics and question types seem more appropriate for younger students, while the content is geared...
Curated OER
First World War Assessment
Here is a really neat assessment, perfect for middle schoolers who have just learned about WWI. The assessment covers the causes and effects of WWI, causes of WWII, the Treaty of Versailles, trench warfare, and key players of the war in...
Curated OER
Introduction To The European Union
A lot happened to European economics, policy, and social systems after WWII. This 24 page social studies packet provides images, reading passages, comprehension questions, and critical thinking questions regarding all things Europe from...
Curated OER
Anne Frank: One of Hundreds of Thousands
Students conduct research to put Anne Frank's diary into historical context. They use maps, timelines, essays and websites to examine the early victories of the German army, paying special attention to the Netherlands and experiences of...
American Immigration Law Foundation
No Pretty Pictures
Here is a nice set of activities and discussion questions to accompany your class reading of No Pretty Pictures, a memoir of a young girl's experiences and struggle for survival during the Holocaust.
Curated OER
The End of WWII and The Beginning of the Cold War
In this end of World War II and Cold War study guide worksheet, students fill in 44 blanks in a passage with the appropriate words to complete the sentences regarding the time period.
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Propaganda - 9/11 and the War on Terrorism
Propaganda is an important topic that most high school social studies teachers address. Here, students compare and contrast methods of public persuasion during WWII with those used in the contemporary War on Terror. Research, discussion,...
Curated OER
American Foreign Policy: 1920 - 1941
Take your class through the period between World War I and World War II. Covering various treaties and pacts between America and its neighbors - namely, Japan, Germany, and the Soviet Union- these slides could inspire some political...
Curated OER
World War I and World War II Timeline Cards
In this World War I and World War II chronological events worksheet, students examine the timeline cards. The cards may be cut out so that students may study the chronology of events.
Curated OER
End of WWI: The Treaty of Versailles
After learning about the causes and closure of WWI, hand out this resource on that outlines the differences between Wilson's 14 Point Plan and the Treaty of Versailles. The class reads the information provided then analyzes two political...
Curated OER
Writing Exercises: World War II, #2
Comprehending the role of key players and events of WWII is a task all learners must undertake. Here, they respond to three critical thinking questions regarding the roles Roosevelt and Stalin played during the war as well as Germany's...
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,...
Curated OER
Requiem "The Song of the Murdered Jewish People"
Music and poetry are vehicles that can tell many stories. Learners read the poem "The Song of the Murdered Jewish People" by Itzhak Katzenelson, then listen to the requiem it inspired; composed by Zlata Razdolina. Excellent...
Curated OER
Teaching the Holocaust Through Poetry
W.H. Auden’s poem “Refugee Blues” launches a study of the problems of refugees. Background information about the poem and general information about Jewish refugees from Germany and Austria are provided, as are discussion questions and...
Curated OER
Axis and Allies World War II Simulation
Students investigate World War II through the computer game Axis and Allies. They discuss the basics of World War II before playing the game, spend eight weeks playing the game that is a simulation of World War II, and write a report...