Learning Intention: To explain the causes of World War 2 IN ORDER TO LEARN ABOUT its outbreak
Success Criteria:
I will be able to understand the historical context of the outbreak of World War 2 by explaining the different causes
I will be able to rank and justify the causes of World War 2 from importance to least importance
I will be able to analyse political cartoons to examine the causes of World War 2
Copy out the following information in your books
World War Two began in September 1939 when Britain and France declared war on Germany following Germany’s invasion of Poland. Although the outbreak of war was triggered by Germany’s invasion of Poland, the causes of World War 2 are more complex.
TASK 1: Pair Research Task
Head to the link below. In pairs, summarise the causes of World War 2 by filling in the table of the worksheet attached below. You need to write a brief description of what the cause is followed by an explanation
TASK 2: Justification + Friendly Debate
Using the causes from the previous activity, rank each one from 'most important cause' (1) to 'least important cause' (4). Write a sentence, justifying why you placed each in that order.
When you are finished, as a class, we will have a friendly debate as to your choice of rank
Source 1: Stepping stones to glory
Source 2: Cartoon by the British cartoonist Sidney 'George' Strube (2 September 1939) is titled 'Juggernaut'.
TASK 3: Cartoon Study
Study the two cartoons above and complete the following questions
What comment is the cartoonist making in Source 1?
Describe what is occurring in Source 2.
Which 'cause' of WWII is referred to by both of these sources?
How is Hitler depicted in the two sources?
Extension Task
Write an essay answering the following question: Explain the causes of World War 2.
You will be given a scaffold to help you write your response