Download Social Studies 8 World War II Name Date: Period: HOW TO

Social Studies 8
World War II
Name
Date:
Period:
HOW TO EXPRESS AND SUPPORT A CLAIM OR PERSPECTIVE
Be sure each outline:
A. Provides 2 examples of specific supporting evidence
B. Provides analysis by using any TWO of the historical concepts of causation, change, continuity, consequence,
significance or perspective.
The Rise of Totalitarianism
1. Economic factors were the most significant cause of World War II.
A. Evidence:
(1) Great Depression led to the rise of Adolf Hitler who invaded Poland sparking WWII
(2) Great Depression caused Japan to invade China for resources, sparking conflict with the US
B. Analysis: CAUSATION - democracy is slow, dictatorships create change fast, people were starving
and desperate during the Depression and were willing to give great power to individuals who they
believed would make life better though imperialist policies. SIGNIFICANCE – Since Japan and
Germany dealt with the Great Depression by preparing for war, and Britain, France, and the US dealt
with it by avoiding war, the Allies were unprepared for the war and lost many battles early in the
war and contributing to the deaths of millions.
In paragraph form: (evidence is underlined, analysis is not)
Economic factors were the most significant cause of World War II. When the Great Depression spread
around the world in the 1930’s, nations chose leaders who would expand their borders in order to repair
their broken economies. Germany, for example, saw the rise of Adolf Hitler. Hitler would annex Austria,
Czechoslovakia, and finally Poland in 1939, the event which sparked the outbreak of World War II. Japan
also attempted to improve their economy through expansion by invading China. This sparked tension with
the United States that would lead to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Since Japan and Germany dealt with the
Great Depression by preparing for war, and Britain, France, and the US dealt with it by avoiding war, the
Allies were unprepared and lost many battles early in the war. This contributed to the deaths of millions.
2. “World War I was the most significant cause of World War II.”
A. Evidence:
The Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to pay reparations for war damages
The Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to accept total responsibility for the war
Adolf Hitler came to power promising revenge for WWI
Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany bombed Poland sparking WWII
B. Analysis:
3. “It was a mistake to appease Hitler.”
A. Evidence:
Britain and France allowed Germany to re-build its military in violation of the Treaty of Versailles
Britain and France allowed Germany to annex Austria
Britain and France allowed Germany to annex Czechoslovakia
Britain and France appeased Hitler in order to avoid war, but Hitler invaded Poland in 1939, starting
WWII
B. Analysis:
4. “Early in the war, the Axis Powers were winning because the Allied Powers were really unprepared for war.”
A. Evidence:
US passed the Neutrality Act to stay out of war rather than preparing for war
Britain and France were dealing with the Great Depression, Germany was preparing for war
Germany defeated France in 6 weeks
By 1941, the only country left fighting Hitler in Europe was the USSR
US was surprised by the attack on Pearl Harbor
US suffered loss in Philippines
B. Analysis:
5. “America was right / wrong to initially stay out of World War II.” (circle one then support)
A. Evidence:
Right – 60 million people died – the war was much more destructive than WWI
Right – We were dealing with the Great Depression
Wrong – With the attack on Pearl Harbor, we got dragged into the war anyway
Wrong – US could stop the Holocaust earlier (10 million murdered), defeat Hitler earlier
B. Analysis:
6. “Conflict was bound to occur between the US and Japan.”
A. Evidence:
US controlled Pacific since Spanish-American War, Hawaii, Philippines, need to protect trade with China
Japan expanded into China, competing with the US for control of the Pacific
US sanctioned (stopped selling) oil to Japan in response to their invasion of China
Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941
B. Analysis:
7. “Resources were the key to victory for the Allied Powers.”
A. Evidence:
Germany lost the Battle of the Bulge because of a lack of supplies
American homefront (factories) was the only major combatant not bombed from the air
Germany was surrounded by USSR and US after D-Day
Germany used too many men and resources against the USSR, many lost due to winter cold
Island-hopping was very deadly (Okinawa, Iwo Jima) and costly but effective against Japan
US had enough resources to dedicate to development of atomic bomb which ended war against Japan
B. Analysis:
8. “With the exception of Japanese-Americans, World War II advanced the rights of women and minorities.”
A. Evidence:
Women and African Americans gained job opportunities during the war
Women and African Americans demonstrated (again) their ability to work effectively and support the
war effort . African Americans once again serve in large numbers
Civil Rights Movement and Womens Rights Movement begins early 1950s partly as a result
Japanese –Americans forced into internment camps during the war
B. Analysis:
9. “The American home front won the war.”
A. Evidence:
US Lend Lease Act supplied Britain and Russia early in the war when they were close to collapsing
Allied resources accounted for their victories in D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, island-hopping strategy in
Iwo Jima and Okinawa
Rationing of supplies, war bonds helped provide troops with necessary supplies
B. Analysis:
10. “D-Day was the turning point of the war against Hitler.”
A. Evidence:
Allies landed in Normandy, France and helped liberate France from German control
Opened up another front against Germany who were running out of supplies already in their front
against the Soviet Union
After D-Day, allies advance into Germany from both sides, bomb and defeat Germany within 1 year
B. Analysis:
11. “Civilians were / were not fair targets during World War II.” (Choose one)
A. Evidence:
Were – civilians worked in factories making war supplies
Were – WWII was won by resources (Battle of Bulge, D-Day, Island-hopping, etc)
Were not – civilians – millions killed during WWII (Berlin, Dresden, Stalingrad, Britain, Hiroshima,
Nagasaki, Tokyo)
Were not – attacking civilians violates the Geneva Convention which outlaws the targeting of civilians
B. Analysis:
12. “The use of the atomic bombs on Japan was / was not justified.” (Choose one)
A. Evidence:
Was – ended WWII quickly after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, saving lives
Was – 60 million dead from WWII
Was – bombing of cities was done by others (Britain, Germany, Japan, USSR) so was necessary
Was – Japanese culture promoted suicide over surrender (kamikaze, fights to the death at Iwo Jima and
Nagasaki). Would have been very deadly
Was not – over 150,000 Japanese civilians killed
Was not – Germany was defeated, Japan was close to defeat, we had time to wait for their collapse.
Was not – use of other bombs, like we used in Tokyo, would accomplish the same thing without having
to use a nuclear bomb
B. Analysis:
13. “The U.S. was / was not justified in sending Japanese-Americans to internment camps.” (Choose one)
A. Evidence:
Was – fear that they would side with Japan after Pearl Harbor in the event of an attack made sense
Was – they were not killed, starved, and then the war ended, they were released.
Was not – they were US citizens, denied their Constitutional rights
Was not – there was no evidence these citizens would side with Japan, no evidence of spying
B. Analysis:
14. “I have been / have not been a good group member during our group work.” (Choose one)
A. Evidence:
B. Analysis: