The Second World War

Objective: Learners can explain a selected event in the context of the Second World War and categorize it in the overall context of the war.

Content and methodology: Using various texts and audio messages, learners work through the most important information in the context of the Second World War. They focus specifically on one event during the war and receive information about the time before the war and the consequences in the post-war period. The learners summarize this information in a final essay task.

Competences:

Analyse historical facts in their causal contexts (multi-causality)
Reconstruct historical facts (reconstruction)
Characterise and evaluate the Second World War

Level: 9th/10th grade

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Target group and level

9th/10th grade

Subjects

History

Preview

The Second World War

📌 Info

The Second World War was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945 and profoundly changed the world. In this worksheet, we will examine the causes, significant events and consequences of this war. The aim is to gain a better understanding of the historical context and the impact on our world today.

👣 The road to war

Below you will find an information text and a video about the period before the start of the Second World War. You can use the information to answer the two questions and fill in the timeline.

A chronicle of the escalation

On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor and the National Socialists took power in Germany. Soon afterwards, the systematic persecution of political opponents and the synchronization of public and private life began. In terms of foreign policy, Hitler pursued the goal of shaking off the burdens and restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles. On February 3, 1933, he announced to the military leadership his goal of conquering living space in the East.

The military supported Hitler's rearmament plans, which was reinforced by the “Röhm Affair” in the summer of 1934. The SA leadership was murdered and the Reichswehr swore allegiance to Hitler. In January 1938, Hitler dismissed many high-ranking generals and took on the role of Minister of War himself, thereby gaining direct influence over the Wehrmacht.

Hitler's aggressive foreign policy began with Germany's withdrawal from the League of Nations and the reintegration of the Saarland. In March 1935, Hitler announced the establishment of the Wehrmacht and the reintroduction of compulsory military service, which violated the Treaty of Versailles. In 1936, he occupied the demilitarized Rhineland.

The “Berlin-Rome axis” was created through the alliances with Italy and Japan. The “Anschluss” of Austria in March 1938 took place without a fight. In September 1938, the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia was occupied at the Munich Conference. In March 1939, Hitler occupied the “rest of Czechoslovakia”.

France and Great Britain granted Poland declarations of guarantee, whereupon Hitler prepared the attack on Poland. On September 1, 1939, the Second World War began with the German invasion of Poland.

Source: Federal Agency for Civic Education

📋 Work assignment

Complete the two tasks using the information from the text and the video.

🔎 Insight into the war

In the newspaper article, you can find out more about a selected event in the Second World War. Read the article and then answer the questions.

The Soviet Invasion of Bucharest: Turning Point in WWII

In late August 1944, the Soviet Red Army invaded Bucharest, marking a significant turning point in World War II. Romania, initially an ally of Nazi Germany, experienced a dramatic shift in allegiance following the invasion. This move was part of the Soviet's larger strategy to dismantle the Axis powers and secure Eastern Europe under communist influence.

Soviet troops greeted by locals in Bucharest, August 1944. Source: Wikipedia

During the summer of 1944, the tide of war was turning against Germany. The Soviets had launched a massive offensive on the Eastern Front, pushing German forces back. The invasion of Bucharest occurred after Romania's King Michael I orchestrated a coup against the pro-German government, leading to Romania's surrender to the Allies and subsequent cooperation with Soviet forces.

The immediate aftermath of the invasion saw Romania switching sides to support the Allies. Romanian troops joined Soviet forces in the fight against Germany, contributing to the eventual defeat of the Axis powers in Europe. This shift had profound implications for Romania, paving the way for the establishment of a communist regime under Soviet influence.

In the decade following the invasion, Romania underwent significant social, political, and economic changes. The Soviet occupation led to the nationalization of industries and collectivization of agriculture. The communist government suppressed political dissent and established a centralized economy, which impacted the daily lives of Romanians for decades.

📋 Work assignment

Complete the two tasks using the information from the newspaper article.

⌛ Consequences and repercussions

Three people have left you voicemails about events after the end of the Second World War. Listen to the messages from Jane, John and Lisa and then complete the task. Then fill in the attached timeline by recording all the information. Add the date and event from the newspaper article yourself.

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💡 Solutions for the teacher

Here is a suggested solution for the timeline. The date of the newspaper article is individual and is not included in the suggested solution.

March 1938: The annexation of Austria to the German Reich.

September 1938: The occupation of the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia after the Munich Conference.

September 1, 1939: Start of the Second World War with the German invasion of Poland.

May, 8 1945: The unconditional surrender of the German Wehrmacht and the end of the Second World War in Europe.

June 1947: Introduction of the Marshall Plan for economic reconstruction aid for Europe.

May 1949: Foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany).