Download WORLD WAR II RESEARCH PROJECT

WORLD WAR II RESEARCH PROJECT
World War II was the most dynamic and varied war to date. It had so many different
theaters, tactics, technologies (3 T’s! Yay!), and so much movement that it is a very hard war to
summarize, unlike WWI (lets dig a trench, poke our heads up every once in a while, and hope we
don’t get shot!). As such there are lots of different things to study.
The presentations will be given in sequence on block day. They will be given in front of
the entire class. Your group is solely responsible for imparting the knowledge from your area of
expertise (I will not double up the information you are responsible for). You must present it in a
way and at a pace that your classmates can easily learn the important information.
Your tasks are as follows:
Step 1: gather information.
Step 2: outline/organize information into sub-sections.
Step 3: separate important from unimportant
information.
Step 4: decide on interesting and effective
strategies for delivery of information.
Step 5: organize effective strategies of information
delivery in Power-point.
Step 6: perfect (rehearse) presentation.
Requirements that you will be graded on (see rubric below for standards):
1. A PowerPoint-aided oral presentation of between 8 and 15 minutes (points taken away for a
presentation less than 5 and more than 10 minutes). Your PowerPoint should include:
a. Maps & Diagrams as aides for visual & spatial learners.
b. Pictures & photographs which aide in the audience’s interest & understanding of the topic.
c. Primary sources such as posters & newspaper clippings, and photographs for authenticity and
audience understanding.
d. No more than 40 words per slide, font on PowerPoint must be size 28 or larger. Verbiage must
be well chosen for ease of audience. Use YOUR words.
e. Anything else you want!
2. Quality of Oral Presentation
a. Consistent eye contact
b. Clearly annunciated and audible voice
c. Tone and body language indicate interest & energy on the part of the speaker
d. Presentation demonstrates ownership of information; presenter is not relying on slides for
information, but using the slides as a teaching aide.
e. Clear attempts are made to connect with & engage audience, such as through use of
appropriate analogies & examples
3. Extra Credit: A well selected and applicable video clip of 2-10 minutes. This may be a Hollywood
movie, a clip from a documentary, or something else which generates interest and increases
understanding of the important ideas of your presentation. OR (alternate E.C. opportunity) An
activity or simulation designed to increase the class’ understanding of the important event(s) of your
theater or what people went through while in it.
YOUR GRADE: Will be 50% Powerpoint, 50% Oral Presentation. Each of the listed criteria not followed will
lower your grade for that section (for example, not following the “40 words per slide” rule will lower your
PowerPoint grade from an A to a B+ or lower. Reading off the slide instead of trying to interact with the audience
will lower your Oral Presentation grade from an A to a B+ or lower.
TOPICS CONTINUE ON THE REVERSE SIDE, IN ORDER OF PRESENTATION
1. EVOLUTION OF TECHNOLOGIES: WORLD WAR I TO WORLD WAR II AND NEW
TECHNOLOGIES. You should discuss the capabilities of Tanks, Airplanes, guns, radio, submarines,
battleships, aircraft carriers and any other tech and its improvement since World War ONE. Discuss the
effects of the tech. on the general battle strategies and soldiers of World War II. Make sure to use
examples of the technologies and how they were used (do not go into depth on the German Blitzkrieg)
and have plenty of visual aides. An occasional example of a specific technology (example: U.S.
Sherman Tank, German Panzer, M-1, etc) would help, but don’t sweat technical details or extensive lists.
Focus on the main ideas listed above.
2. GERMAN BLITZKREIG AS USED IN THE BATTLES FOR POLAND, FRANCE, NETHERLANDS
& BELGIUM. Discuss the German attack strategy of Blitzkrieg, how it worked, how it used technology
& man power (and chemical enhancement!). Also explain why the Germans chose to use that tactic (as
opposed to the methods used in World War I). Discuss its effectiveness and its limitations by using
examples of battles Nazi Germany won and lost in Europe (Poland, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway,
Belgium). Include an analysis of defenses (such as the French Maginot line) against the Germans and
how/why it failed. Mention Charles De Gaulle’s desires for French strategy before the Nazi invasion,
compared to the creation of the Maginot Line.
3. BATTLE FOR BRITAIN– Analyze German motivations and strategy for attacking Great Britain.
Analyze British defense capabilities, strategies and effectiveness. Explain the advantages and
disadvantages each side had, and how they exploited them/had them exploited. Include a discussion of
the invention and use of Radar and code breaking. Discuss the outcome, the reasons for the outcome, and
the effects that the battle had on each side.
4. EASTERN FRONT: BATTLE FOR RUSSIA. Briefly discuss the German-Russian relations before
Hitler decided to invade Russia, why he decided to invade, and how his Blitzkreig strategy had to be
altered especially as the battle progressed through the fall and winter. Discuss the major battles in
sequence (Moscow, Leningrad) focusing on the battle of Stalingrad and how (and WHY) it was a turning
point for the entire war. Explain the advantages and disadvantages each side had, and how they exploited
them/had them exploited. Discuss the outcome and the reason for the outcome. Draw parallels between
Hitler’s mistakes & Napoleon’s.
5. NORTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN: DESERT WAR. Explain why there was fighting in Africa and what
Italy and Germany were after to make them put troops in that region. Discuss the strategies used by Italy,
Germany, the U.S. & Britain. Include the challenges unique to the African Theater of combat, and how
all sides dealt with those challenges (and how effective they were). Include the role of communication
and codebreaking. Discuss the importance of the Battle at El Alamein and Operation Torch. Clarify the
outcomes (who got what they wanted in this part of the war and why they won).
6. D-DAY - Discuss the scenario the allies (Britain, USA) faced in the war leading up to the invasion, then
discuss motivation for the invasion. Explain the challenges taken in to account during the planning of Dday. Discuss the choices made and how the allies set up the actual day using decoys, spies, etc.
Demonstrate the difficulty of storming the beach, how it was accomplished, and its significance/place in
the war (what impact it had) using maps & diagrams as well as verbal explanations. Names, dates and
numbers of ships, troops, etc. should be used only to demonstrate the enormity & cost of the assault.
7. U.S. VS. JAPAN– Explain how and why the U.S. became involved in the war, beginning with lend-lease
in Europe, but focusing on Japanese desires in the Pacific region. Discuss reasons for and effects of the
Bombing of Pearl Harbor for both sides. Discuss U.S. and Japanese strategies in the Pacific war
(compared to the European and African theaters), show dated maps of territories taken by the Japanese
and the strategy U.S. Admiral Macarthur used to regain those territories. Analyze HOW/WHY the U.S.
was able to eventually take Midway, Iwojima, Okinawa, firebomb Tokyo and finish with the Atomic
bomb. Include a discussion of the use of sonar, kamikaze’s, and other naval technologies which were
used heavily.