Introduction to World War II

Introduction

WWII

World War II has been one of the most cruel and bloody wars ever occurred in the world. The number of countries involved, the number of military and civil casualties, Nazi procedures and death toll, incipient technological and armament developments presented by confronted parties along with the implications it had for Europe and the rest of the World in subsequent years, make it relevant enough (from every human perspective) to have a special attention in History.

The aim of this WebQuest is to help you dig into different resources and come up with a better understanding of what was it all about. Because we must no forget. Because learning from mistakes is important. Because we must prevent it from happening again.

Intended learners are higher secondary students on History course.

Task

In teams of 4, your group job is to produce a timeline reflecting most relevant events (and a brief description of each of these events) occurred during World War II. Additionally, you have to select a WWII role model character and share with your class mates your choice,  explaining the reason(s) why you think this person was important during war time o later in History. 

Eventually, you might like to work on either:

- a summary of the most relevant leaders intervening in WWII and their roles in this historic dramatic event.

- a brief high-level report about armament development during WWII and the way it conditioned the events during the conflict

Timeline

Using the internet resources provided, you have to come up with a clear document(s), presentation(s), gloster(s), poster(s), video(s), padlet ... (free format) you will use to present and share your findings with the rest of your classmates.

 

Process

As a group of four, you must first do research to find information about relevant events occurred during WWII. You may split the resources research for a first approach to data and extracting key events (you may even consider splitting in two couples with each team of two focusing on one of the two regions where war mainly took place: Europe, the Pacific Ocean)

During this research process, please bear in mind you need to identify as well the most relevant leaders in WWII. Remember to make a list of names of characters you will propose your team mates to be reflected on your final file.

After you have your ‘relevant events list’ ready, you must work collaboratively with your team mates to agree on which ones to reflect on the group timeline. This implies group sharing, discussion and justification of one’s view.

You also need to agree on the format in which you want to construct your timeline and present it to the class and your teacher(s).

A similar process should be followed with regards to WWII relevant characters.

**** Research resources detailed in the 'credits' section ****

Suggested steps:

  1. Watch introductory videos proposed on the credits (resources) section to have a clear understanding of pre-War and War developments as well as War end.
  2. Take note of what you individually consider most relevant events and characters.
  3. Find out about World War II related peace treaties
  4. Find out about most relevant characters to be able to explain their role in WWII
  5. Research on arms and technological development associated deployed during WWII
  6. Draft timeline and decide which additional resources you will include in your final product(s): pictures, videos, links, …
  7. Find about WWII roles models and pick up one to investigate further and share your findings with peers

Produce the final team output in an organized and timely way

Evaluation

COLLABORATION RUBRIC

Dr. Karen Franker

© COPYRIGHT 2007-2016

All Rights Reserved. 

Excellent

Proficient Progressing  Action needed
Focus on the task and participation      

Consistently stays focused on the task and what needs to be done. Very self-directed.A true team member who contributes a lot of effort, and encourages and supports the efforts of others in the group. 

Focuses on the task and what needs to be done most of the time. Other group members can count on this person. A strong group member who tries hard! 

Focuses on the task and what needs to be done some of the time. Other group members must sometimes remind this person to keep on task.

Sometimes a satisfactory group member who does what is required 

Rarely focuses on the task and what needs to be done. Lets others do the work. .

Sometimes chooses not to participate and does not complete assigned tasks. 

Dependability and shared responsibility      

Consistently punctual for group meetings, turns in all work on time.

Follows through on assigned tasks and does not depend on others to do the work, responsibility for tasks is shared evenly. 

Usually punctual for group meetings, turns in most work on time.

Follows through on most assigned tasks. 

Sometimes late for group meetings, frequently turns in work after the deadline.

Does not follow through on most assigned tasks and sometimes depends on others to do the work. 

Late for all or most group meetings, misses all deadlines for turning in work.

Seldom or never follows through on assigned tasks. Depends on others to do all of the work. 

Listening, questioning and discussing      

Respectfully listens, interacts, discusses and poses questions to all members of the team during discussions and helps direct the group in reaching consensus. 

Respectfully listens, interacts, discusses and poses questions to others during discussions. 

Has some difficulty respectfully listening and discussing, and tends to dominate discussions. 

Has great difficulty listening, argues with teammates, and is unwilling to consider other opinions. Impedes group from reaching consensus. 

Research and information sharing      

Routinely gathers research and shares useful ideas when participating in the group discussion. Defends/ rethinks ideas relating to the group’s project goals. 

Usually provides useful research and ideas when participating in the group discussion. 

Sometimes provides useful research and ideas when participating in the group discussion. 

Rarely provides useful research or ideas when participating in the group discussion. 

Problem-solving      

Actively looks for and suggests solutions to problems. 

Refines solutions suggested by others. 

Does not suggest or refine solutions, but is willing to try out solutions suggested by others 

Does not try to solve problems or help others solve problems. 

Group/Partner Teamwork 

     

Consistently makes necessary compromises to accomplish a common goal. Always has a positive attitude about the task(s) and the work of others. All team members contributed equally to the finished project. Performed all duties of assigned team role and contributed knowledge, opinions, and skills to share with the team. Always did the assigned work. 

Usually makes necessary compromises to accomplish a common goal. Usually has a positive attitude about the task(s) and the work of others. Assisted group/partner in the finished project. Performed nearly all duties of assigned team role and contributed knowledge, opinions, and skills to share with the team. Completed most of the assigned work. 

Occasionally makes compromises to accomplish a common goal, and sometimes helps keep the group working well together. Occasionally is publicly critical of the task(s) or the work of other members of the group. Finished individual task but did not assist group/partner during the project. Performed a few duties of assigned team role and contributed a small amount of knowledge, opinions, and skills to share with the team. Completed some of the assigned work. 

Rarely makes compromises to accomplish a common goal and has difficulty getting along with other group members. Is often negative and publicly critical of the task(s) or the work of other members of the group. Contributed little to the group effort during the project. Did not perform any duties of assigned team role and did not contribute knowledge, opinions or skills to share with the team. Relied on others to do the work. 

 

Conclusion

In this WebQuest we have been able to learn about the impressive size and implications of WWII, the motivations of countries to join the war and the massive casualties it implied on both, military and civilian sides. We have been able to understand the horror of war and the particular complexity and many factors triggering WWII. We have also gained some insights into World leaders involved in the conflict and the roles they played.

Let’s learn from the past, to ensure a better future!

the infamous bomber disturbingly named after the pilot's mother

 

Credits

RESOURCES

Introductory videos

A brief overview of World War II

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUqy-OQvVtI

World War II in Europe: Every Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOVEy1tC7nk

World War II in Europe and the Pacific: Every Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e_AZ3j2LbY

Detailed war phases explanation:

Beginning of World War II (September, 1939)

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/euro-hist/wo/v/beginning-of-world-war-ii

1940 Axis gains momentum in World War II

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/euro-hist/wo/v/1940-axis-gains-momentum-in-world-war-ii

1941 Axis momentum accelerates in WWII

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/euro-hist/wo/v/1941-axis-momentum-accelerates-in-ww2

WWII in the Pacific in 1942

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/euro-hist/wo/v/world-war-ii-in-the-pacific-in-1942

1942 Tide turning in World War II in Europe

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/euro-hist/wo/v/1942-tide-turning-in-world-war-ii-in-europe

1943 Axis losing in Europe

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/euro-hist/wo/v/1943-axis-losing-in-europe

American progress in the Pacific in 1944

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/euro-hist/wo/v/american-progress-in-the-pacific-in-1944

1944 Allies advance further in Europe

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/euro-hist/wo/v/1944-allies-advance-further-in-europe

1945 End of World War II

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/euro-hist/wo/v/1945-end-of-world-war-ii

 

Yalta Conferencehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yalta_Conference

http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/yalta-conference

  • When did it take place?
  • Which countries did participate? Who were their representatives?
  • What was the aim of this conference?
  • What is the Declaration of Liberated Europe?

Potsdam Conference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potsdam_Declaration

http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/potsdam-conference

  • When did it take place?
  • Which countries did participate? Who were their representatives?
  • What was the aim of this conference?
  • What was the Potsdam Declaration or the Proclamation Defining Terms for Japanese Surrender?
  • What does ‘mokusatsu’ stand for?

 

Find out about relevant dirigents of both, the Axis and the Allied countries and their position through the conflict.

http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/yalta-conference/videos/winston-churchill

http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/yalta-conference/videos/dwight-eisenhower?m=528e394da93ae&s=undefined&f=1&free=false

http://www.history.com/topics/joseph-stalin

http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/harry-truman

Find out about relevant armament progress and development during WWII and how this may have conditioned war evolution and end.

http://ethw.org/V1_and_V2_Rockets

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world-war-two/world-war-two-in-western-europe/the-v-revenge-weapons/the-v-weapons/

http://www.boldmethod.com/blog/lists/2015/03/facts-about-the-b-29-superfortress/

Find out about WWII role models.

http://mentalfloss.com/article/29219/11-women-warriors-world-war-ii

https://www.muyhistoria.es/contemporanea/articulo/hedy-lamarr-reconocida-actriz-e-inventora-del-wifi-141475066500

https://elpais.com/especiales/2018/mujeres-de-la-ciencia/hedy-lamarr.html

https://www.midway.org/exhibits-activities/special-days/veterans-day-celebration/

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/inventions-and-innovations-wwii.html

https://history.army.mil/books/wwii/72-14/72-14.HTM

https://www.army.mil/article/179038/the_pearl_harbor_attack_as_remembered_by_the_nurses_who_were_there

https://www.stripes.com/news/europe/wwii-veterans-reunite-in-france-to-tell-their-stories-of-sacrifices-and-courage-1.530678

https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/user/83/u1544183.shtml

 

 

Teacher Page

Teacher notes 

  1. This WebQuest supports the interdisciplinary unit theme ‘WWII’.
  2. Instructional purpose: Students will learn about WWII (countries involved, confronted axis, peace agreements), world leaders in that period in History and countries motivations to get into war. They will develop their research, engagement and consensus knowledge building skills. They will review their thoughts, theories and understand there are different points of view to create a single group presentation material.
  3. Skills/objectives:
  • Students will be able to integrate information presented in different media format (video, articles, readings) to develop a coherent understanding of the topic.
  • Students will be able to extract key data embedded in multiple sources and produce their own high-level summary timeline based on those key facts.
  • Students will develop collaborative group work and learning skills.
  1. Intended Learners are higher secondary students in History course.