Browne 1

Chris Browne
Based on Ms. Peltiers Lesson Plan for 29 October 2014
Subject: The Second World War in Europe: The Beginning of the War
Grade: Sophomore/Junior
Class: 20th Century History
Objectives: Students should be able to recognize the difference between the start of the World
Wars in 1914 and 1939. Students should be able to recount the initial steps in the war and the
state of Europe by December of 1941. Work in conjunction with English teachers to have
students be able to advance their ability to write persuasive letters.
Introduction: Do Now: Provide the students with two primary source maps: one of Europe
before the start of World War I in 1914 and the other being of Europe one the eve of the Second
World War in 1939. Instruct the students to compare and contrast the lead of war in both cases.
Students should be able to identify the major powers in both maps as well as the alliances of both
wars.
Guided Practice: Lecture on the lead up and the beginning of the war; briefly cover in a note
session:
German and Italian expansion, Anschluss
o Mussolinis Fascist Italy and their land grab in
Africa
o Hitlers Nazi Germany and their idea of
Lebensraum and the unification of German people
Munich Pact and Allied Appeasement
o Neville Chamberlain- Peace for our time
o Definition of appeasement
o The German annexation of the Sudetenland
The eventual full annexation of
Czechoslovakia
Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact
o Discuss what it means for Hitlers plan of attack
How was this different than WWI?
German Invasion of Poland and the start of the war
o Britain and Frances inability to send aid
o The quick conquest of Poland and the imposing of
Nazi ethnic policies
Fall of France and the Miracle at Dunkirk
o The allied rescue at Dunkirk and what it meant for
the now alone Britian
o Blitzkrieg and the swift capture of Paris
 Browne 2

Compare the difference between the German

plan of attack from World War I (Schlieffen
plan) and II (Blitzkreig)
Battle of Britain and the Blitz
o Hitlers failed attempt of capturing Britain
How could have Operation Sea Lion been
successful?
o Role of air warfare during the war
o Londons resilience (Keep Calm and Carry On)
The role of the Queen during this time
Operation Barbarossa and the Russian Winter
o Winter causalities on both sides
Russian Army brutalism towards their own
soldiers
o Distance of German advance
German ethnic cleansing of Slavs in Russia

Independent Practice: Each student must write a formal persuasive letter as a member of
Winston Churchills war cabinet to the President of the United States, urging them to join in the
war against the Axis in Europe. Students must properly head the letter to the White House, dated
in November of 1941. The letter must give reasons for why it is important for why the Americans
must come help the British in the war based on the lecture in class. The letter is due at the end of
class as an exit strategy.
Evaluation: The exit letter would mark the ability of the student to have learned the information
presented and their ability to use it to be persuasive in a formal letter. If students are unable to
fully complete the letter, what is turned is will still be evaluated on its persuasive ability and use
of historical knowledge.