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Here are the teacher pack items for The Lead-Up to World War II:
Overview In this experience, students become acquainted with Adolf Hitler by watching a video. Then, they learn about the events leading up to the war in Europe, including Germany’s conquest of other countries and Mussolini’s rise to power. Next, they turn to Japan’s aggression against China and other Asian nations, culminating in its attack on Pearl Harbor. Then, they examine the American policy of neutrality. Finally, students create an infographic of important events and people leading up to the war. Students will collaborate in small groups for scene 5. This experience contains a lot of content. You may choose to teach it over two sessions in order to spend adequate time on the various elements of the lead-up to World War II. Objectives
Many Americans think World War II began in 1941, but that’s only the year when the United States entered the war. It had already been underway in Europe since 1939, and in Asia earlier in the 1930s. In this experience, you’ll learn what led up to the war and what happened before the United States entered it.
Objectives
At a distance of 75 years, most Americans today associate World War II with a fanatical dictator’s lust for world conquest and “racial purity.” That man was Adolf Hitler, the führer, or leader, of Nazi Germany. For a glimpse of his personality and background, read World War II—The Rise of Hitler.
However, World War II was not caused only by Hitler. Fascism in Italy arose in the same era as Nazism in Germany. Fascism is a philosophy that considers the nation and often race above any individual, and includes a dictatorial government and the suppression of opposition. On the other side of the World, imperial Japan was trying to conquer China and much of the rest of Asia. All three nations committed aggression against peaceful neighboring countries. The three countries had different government systems and ideologies, but they were all totalitarian states—dictatorships. Together they formed the Axis Powers.Now that you’ve had a brief introduction to the topic, what questions would you like to ask that could help you understand World War II? Write one or more questions.
Point out one or more questions that students can expect to answer as they go through the experience.
