World War 2 Web Quest
This is a five part web quest on the events of World War 2. Use the links to answer the questions below them.
This is a five part web quest on the events of World War 2. Use the links to answer the questions below them.
Section 1: "Total War" and Civilian Deaths
During World War 2 the amount of citizens killed was astronomical. This section of the web quest explores how civilians could end up as targets despite not actually being in the military.
During World War 2 the amount of citizens killed was astronomical. This section of the web quest explores how civilians could end up as targets despite not actually being in the military.
1.) Which country had the most civilians killed?
2.) Which country had the most soldiers killed?
3.) Did more soldiers or civilians die in WW2?
2.) Which country had the most soldiers killed?
3.) Did more soldiers or civilians die in WW2?
4.) What is "total war?"
5.) What are three ways in which civilians could contribute to the war effort without actually joining the military?
6.) Who was "Rosie the Riveter?"
6.) Who was "Rosie the Riveter?"
7.) How can the definition of "total war" and what you know about the roles of citizens during World War 2 explain why civilians might get targeted?
8.) Is there ever a situation where it is justified (remember: if you don't know a word look it up on http://dictionary.com) to target civilians during a time of war?
Section 2: Strategy
This section covers the new ways in which the war was fought.
This section covers the new ways in which the war was fought.
1.) What is island hopping?
2.) What could then be done with each island that was taken?
2.) What could then be done with each island that was taken?
3.) Why did our military need the ability to land troops on shores?
4.) What is a "blitzkrieg?"
5.) Who did the Allies want to defeat first?
6.) Why would the Japanese launch a "Banzai" attack?
7.) What was the job of kamikazes? What did they do with their planes?
Section 3: Major Battles and Turning Points
This section goes over the major battles of the war that had the biggest impact. This section has the most questions but don't be overwhelmed!
This section goes over the major battles of the war that had the biggest impact. This section has the most questions but don't be overwhelmed!
1.) Look at the "Maginot Line" picture. If you were Germany, where would you choose to attack France?
2.) What strategy did Germany use against the French and English (hint: starts with a "b")?
3..) When did the French government finally capitulate (surrender)?
2.) What strategy did Germany use against the French and English (hint: starts with a "b")?
3..) When did the French government finally capitulate (surrender)?
4.) Was the Battle of Britain mostly fought in the air, on the land, or on the sea?
5.) Who won the Battle of Britain and what did this victory prevent?
5.) Who won the Battle of Britain and what did this victory prevent?
6.) Germany launched a sneak attack against Russia. Before this they had a non-aggression pact. What did the non-aggression pact between Hitler and Stalin do?
7.) As the Russians retreated they burned crops and buildings. This was known as scorched Earth policy. What did this deny the advancing German troops?
8.) The United States had not joined the war yet but we lent weapons and supplies to England and Russia under the lend-lease program. How would Hitler view this act?
7.) As the Russians retreated they burned crops and buildings. This was known as scorched Earth policy. What did this deny the advancing German troops?
8.) The United States had not joined the war yet but we lent weapons and supplies to England and Russia under the lend-lease program. How would Hitler view this act?
9.) Who won the Battle of Stalingrad? Who did the battle stop?
10.) How many people were killed in this one battle alone?
11.) Why were the Russians determined to defend this city?
10.) How many people were killed in this one battle alone?
11.) Why were the Russians determined to defend this city?
Remember: we already learned about Pearl Harbor. The attack on Pearl Harbor was a turning point because it brought the United States into the war on the side of the Allies with Great Britain and the Soviet Union.
12.) What country is Normandy in?
13.) When was the D-Day invasion? Who were we trying to liberate by invading Normandy?
14.) What other two countries helped the United States?
13.) When was the D-Day invasion? Who were we trying to liberate by invading Normandy?
14.) What other two countries helped the United States?
15.) What was the German attack intended to do?
16.) Did the German attack succeed? What was the significance of this?
16.) Did the German attack succeed? What was the significance of this?
17.) Where was the battle fought: on land, sea, or the air?
18.) What did the Japanese hope to achieve at the Battle of Midway? What was the result?
18.) What did the Japanese hope to achieve at the Battle of Midway? What was the result?
Section 4: Atrocities, War Crimes, and other Controversies
This section covers the more shocking events of World War 2. This section expands on the topic from section one. It also includes how prisoners of war (POWs) were mistreated.
This section covers the more shocking events of World War 2. This section expands on the topic from section one. It also includes how prisoners of war (POWs) were mistreated.
1.) During World War 2 Japanese-American citizens were separated and sent to special locations called internment camps. Why were they sent there? Were they guilty?
2.) Despite not being "death camps" life wasn't very fun in the camps. After their internment ended what problems could families face?
2.) Despite not being "death camps" life wasn't very fun in the camps. After their internment ended what problems could families face?
3.) After the attack on Pearl Harbor the Japanese attacked the Philippines. The Battle of Bataan took place on the Bataan peninsula of the Philippines. Despite trying the American and Filipino soldiers could not stop the Japanese and had to surrender. After their surrender the Japanese soldiers treated them very poorly. Using the first link describe three horrible ways that the prisoners of war (POWs) suffered.
4.) Look at the second link. How do you think Americans felt about the Bataan Death March?
4.) Look at the second link. How do you think Americans felt about the Bataan Death March?
5.) What was the Holocaust? Why did Hitler target the Jews?
6.) The word "ghetto" might not mean what you think. What were the "ghettos" during the Holocaust?
7.) Sometimes Nazi death squads would round up the Jews in a village and kill them on the spot. Other times they were sent to concentration camps. Name three things that took place at the concentration camps.
6.) The word "ghetto" might not mean what you think. What were the "ghettos" during the Holocaust?
7.) Sometimes Nazi death squads would round up the Jews in a village and kill them on the spot. Other times they were sent to concentration camps. Name three things that took place at the concentration camps.
8.) The Japanese attacked and took over the city of Nanking, China. Afterwards the Japanese soldiers spent over a month attacking and killing the Chinese civilian population. How would this make the Japanese military look to the rest of the world?
9.) Make a T-Chart showing at least three reasons for dropping the atomic bombs and three reasons against dropping the atomic bombs on Japan.
10.) Reflection: Do you agree or disagree with the decision to drop the atomic bombs? Why?
Section 5: Outcomes of World War 2
This section covers what the end of World War 2 meant for the different countries that participated.
This section covers what the end of World War 2 meant for the different countries that participated.
1.) As the Allies advanced into Italy, Benito Mussolini, the founder of Fascism, tried to run away to Switzerland. Why could he not surrender to Italian partisans or the Allies? What happened to Mussolini?
2.) Two days after his ally Mussolini's death, Hitler finds himself in his bunker in Germany. The situation in Germany does not look good with the United States, England, and Canada pushing from the west while the Soviet Union pushes from the east. Rather than surrender what does he do?
3.) When does Germany finally surrender?
3.) When does Germany finally surrender?
4.) What is unconditional surrender?
5.) What did Japan's emperor have to say regarding the belief that he was a god?
5.) What did Japan's emperor have to say regarding the belief that he was a god?
6.) The United Nations is an international organization. What does this mean?
7.) What is the purpose of the United Nations? How many members are there? What are countries able to do there?
7.) What is the purpose of the United Nations? How many members are there? What are countries able to do there?
8.) Reflection/Anticipation: Why do you think there has not been a "World War 3?" Do you think the United Nations been successful?