World War II

Essential Questions

Enduring Understandings

Students understand that...

(Bold print next to 8.6)

The aggression of the Axis powers threatened United States security and led to its entry into World War II. The nature and consequences of warfare during World War II transformed the United States and the global community. The damage from total warfare and atrocities such as the Holocaust led to a call for international efforts to protect human rights and prevent future wars. 

Knowledge 

Students know that...

(copy from framework 8.4a, 8.4b, etc)

8.6a Worldwide economic depression, militant nationalism, the rise of totalitarian rule, and the unsuccessful efforts of the League of Nations to preserve peace contributed to the outbreak of war in Europe and Asia. 

8.6b From 1939 to 1941, the United States government tried to maintain neutrality while providing aid to Britain but was drawn into the war by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The United States fought a war on multiple fronts. At home, the economy was converted to war production, and essential resources were rationed to ensure adequate supplies for military use.

8.6c The nature and consequences of warfare during World War II transformed the United States and the global community. The damage from total warfare and human atrocities, including the Holocaust, led to a call for an international organization to prevent future wars and the protection of human rights. 

Skills

Students will be able to...

• •  Students will examine how the worldwide economic depression and militant nationalism resulted in the rise of totalitarian rule.

  • Students will examine how the worldwide economic depression and militant nationalism resulted in the rise of totalitarian rule.

  • Students will examine American involvement in World War II, including the American strategy in the Pacific and the invasion of Normandy on D-Day.

  • Students will examine the role of the Tuskegee Airmen within the segregated military during World War II.  

  • Students will investigate the effects of the war on the American economy and day-to-day life.  

  • Students will examine the internment of Japanese Americans in light of perceived national security concerns versus constitutional rights, including the decision in Korematsu v. United States (1944).

  • Student will examine the role of New Yorkers in World War II, focusing on local institutions, such as the Fort Ontario Refugee Center or the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

  • Students will examine the role of air power by the allies, including the use of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  

  • Students will investigate the Holocaust and explain the historical significance of the Nuremberg trials.

• Students will examine the structure and work of the United Nations.

Summative Tasks 

(DBQs, CRQs, mini Qs, etc)

Evil Rising- Students will examine and analyze sources to be able to explain fascism and why the ideology took hold in Germany and Italy prior to WWII. This activity will culminate in a paragraph response comparing/contrasting how the ways fascist leaders rose to power and ruled in post- WWI Italy and Germany. (pages 13-17)

DBQ  Analyzing six primary source document culminating in an essay discussing the impact of WWII on the American homefront.

CRQ - Students will analyze a letter written to President Truman discussing concerns for women losing their jobs following WWII. (Page 15)

CRQ - Students will analyze a WWII poster encouraging Americans to buy war bonds. (Page 14)

8.6 CRQ- WWII documents

8.6 MCQ-WW II topics

DBQ  Analyzing six primary source document culminating in an essay discussing the impact of WWII on the American homefront.

CRQ - Students will analyze a letter written to President Truman discussing concerns for women losing their jobs following WWII. (Page 15)

CRQ - Students will analyze a WWII poster encouraging Americans to buy war bonds. (Page 14)

8.6 CRQ- WWII documents

8.6 MCQ-WW II topics

The Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: A Military Necessity? Students will analyze a series of primary source documents to construct an essay response.

 Formative Tasks

A Brewing Storm- Students will be provided a “post-war status report” to explain the conditions that contributed to the outbreak of WWII culminating in the completion of a graphic organizer. (pages 8-12)

Peace and Consequences- Students will be able to explain what was done( Nuremberg Trials, United Nations, Marshall Plan)  to address world problems after the fighting stopped in WWII culminating in a matching, multiple choice, fill in the blank  assessment activity. (pages 87-98)

Uncountable Costs - Students will analyze charts and graphs to describe the horrors of the Holocaust during WWII culminating in the completion of a graphic organizer. (pages 82-86)

Japanese Internment -  Worksheets allow students to analyze three different perspectives justifying the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII.  Extended activity has students analyze the Bill of Rights and created a news article/TV commentary discussing Constitutional violations. (Pages 20-21)

American economy and day-to-day life - Printable poster set describing what America did at home to support the war; victory gardens, radios, civil defense, scrapping, v-mail, rationing, war bonds

War in the Pacific -  Worksheet assesses students geography skills by labeling countries/islands and military actions in Asia and the Pacific.  

Minorities during WWII Slides-used for following assignment

Minorities during WWII- using slides students will create an instagram post about impact of WWII on a minority group. (page 14)

Neutrality vs. Involvement - Worksheets contain three different opinions regarding the United States entering WWII.  Comparing different points of view, evaluating sources, and provides extra challenge of role-playing a debate between supporters and opponents of war. (Pages 8-19)

Photographic Timeline - Visual timeline lesson reinforces the chronology of WWII through photographs for a WWII review.

Preventing Labor Discrimination in America during WWII - Analyzing a primary source document and responding to critical thinking questions.

Lesson Plans and Content

Videos, Documents, and Resources

Did the attack on Pearl Harbor unify America? Inquiry unit that culminates in an argumentative essay.

Department Created Inquiry: Do nuclear weapons create peace?

Pearl Harbor - Inquiry based unit focusing on the question: Did the attack on Pearl Harbor unify America? The inquiry includes three formative performance tasks that collectively enable students to build up their knowledge regarding Americans involvement in WWII following the attack on Pearl Harbor.  The inquiry culminates with an argumentative essay.

D-Day -    Lesson objectives to describe Operation Overlord and explain why it was a major turning point for the Allies in Europe.  Students research significant people, places and actions linked to the D-Day invasion.  Culminates in a student created Jeopardy game. (Pages 48-53)

Harry S. Truman and the Dropping of the Atomic Bomb Mock Trial- Students will analyze primary source documents to determine if Harry S. Truman is guilty of committing war crimes for his decision to drop the Atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. (pages 94-106)

Atomic Bomb Lesson- Students will analyze a series of primary source documents to explain how the dropping of the atomic bomb should be remembered.  This lesson culminates in the students selecting  a photograph for an online memorial that they feel best represents the dropping of the atomic bomb. Students will also be required to produce a written response supporting their decision.

Japanese Internment Inquiry -- Inquiry unit that focuses on the debate regarding freedom vs. national security; surrounding the policy of Japanese Americans  internment during WWII.

The inquiry includes four related formative performance tasks that collectively enable students to build up their knowledge of the issues and events related to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and the resulting lawsuit, Korematsu v. United States, which challenged the constitutionality of the internment policy.

WWII on the Homefront- uses posters and propaganda to understand what was happening at home in the US during WWII.

D-Day Map Assignment- using maps to understanding the D-Day invasion

Japanese Relocation Video - Government newsreel explaining why Japanese Americans were relocated during WWII.

Civilian defense on the Homefront - Analyzing a primary source document and responding to critical thinking questions

Interactive Map: The Attack on Pearl Harbor - The Gilder Lehrman Collection acquired photographs from the Pearl Harbor attack, taken by both Japanese pilots and US Navy personnel. The images juxtapose American and Japanese views of the attack, as well as its devastating aftermath. Use the story map below to navigate through the attack geographically and chronologically, and learn more about the catastrophic event that pushed the United States into World War II.

New York Historical Society - The exhibition examines the experiences of New Yorkers on the home front and those who served. Contains primary source documents, photographs, videos, and classroom materials/lessons.

Interactive Map WWII