Introduction
World War II was one of the most devastating events in history, with an virtually unrivaled death toll. The countries involved in this war all have their own reasons for doing so, and would be drastically affected by the battle. From the Allied powers of the United States, England, and Russia, to the Axis of Nazi Germany, Italy, and Japan, few could escape the destruction brought about by WWII.
By going on this WebQuest, you will learn more about the different nations that participated in WWII, their leaders, and how the war affected them.
Task
You are an eager history student, eager to learn about WWII. In order to do so, you will partner up with a fellow student and research the following for the Axis and the Allies.
- Reason for participating in the war
- How each dealt with the aftermath of the war
Process
Step 1: Choose a partner. This can be anyone in the class.
Step 2: Decide which of you will research the Axis, and which will research the Allies.
Step 3: Use the following links to do your research
- Motive for war: https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-II#toc53531
- Aftermath: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aftermath_of_World_War_II
- Some may be skeptical of Wikipedia, but note that this article has it's sources cited, and is therefore reliable.
- Both: https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007314
- Both: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii
Step 4. Talk with your partner about what you learned, and composite that into a one to two page essay comparing the Axis and Allies motivations and toll the war took on them. Also include what aftereffect of the war had the most impact on history.
- You only need one paper, but make sure you and your partner are on the same page about what you learned
Evaluation
| Category | Poor | Average | Proficient | Exemplary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Understanding and Knowledge | Students show little to no knowledge of the assigned research | Students mention some key concepts, but fail to elaborate | Students are obviously well versed in the subject | Students show that they know the content well enough to teach it |
| Critical Thinking | Students fail to demonstrate understanding of the motives and consequences of the war. | Students display a general understanding of motives and consequences, but may show a few mistakes | Students demonstrate a clear understanding of the content, and can evaluate the impact the war had. | Students show that they understand the content, and use it to form their own opinions on how WWII shaped history. |
| Communication | Students essays are poorly arranged, display a weak vocabulary and show no management | Essays are organized but lack a clear purpose. Vocabulary is sufficient but limited | Students effectively communicate the required info, but stops at that point | Students can communicate all of the information in a clear and concise way, with an exceptional vocabulary |
Conclusion
You've reached the end! After handing in your assignment, you and your partner may leave class. I hope that you've learned more about World War II and how it changed the world. The war is a huge topic, and this was only scratching the surface. I hope that you have been inspired to continue researching WWII in your free time.
See you next class.