1. Allies on the Defensive
History of the Modern World
World at War:
Allies on the Defensive
The appearance of German bombers in the skies over London during the afternoon of September 7, 1940 heralded a tactical shift in Hitler's attempt to subdue Great Britain. During the previous two months, the Luftwaffe had targeted RAF airfields and radar stations for destruction in preparation for the German invasion of the island. With invasion plans put on hold and eventually scrapped, Hitler turned his attention to destroying London in an attempt to demoralize the population and force the British to come to terms. At around 4:00 PM on that September day, 348 German bombers escorted by 617 fighters Sept. 7, the beginning of the London Blitz blasted London until 6:00 PM. Two hours later, guided by the fires set by the first assault, a second group of raiders commenced another attack that lasted until 4:30 the following morning.
This was the beginning of the Blitz - a period of intense bombing of London and other cities that continued until the following May. For the next consecutive 57 days, London was bombed either during the day or night. Fires consumed many portions of the city. Residents sought shelter wherever they could find it - many fleeing to the Underground stations that sheltered as many as 177,000 people during the night. In the worst single incident, 450 were killed when a bomb destroyed a school being used as an air raid shelter. Londoners and the world were introduced to a new weapon of terror and destruction in the arsenal of twentieth century warfare. The Blitz ended on May 11, 1941 when Hitler called off the raids in order to move his bombers east in preparation for Germany's invasion of Russia.
Mrs. McArthur
Walsingham Academy
Room 111

4. World War II and Its Aftermath
Section 2: The Axis Advances, pp
Witness History Audio: Janina’s War Story
How does Janina describe the German attack on Poland?
How do you predict airplanes might be used in WWII?
The Axis Advances
Nazi Germany invaded Poland from one side, while the Soviets came from the other. France and Britain had no time to help. Then Germany attacked France from the north, and Italy invaded from the south. When France fell, only Britain stood against the Axis powers. A Nazi bombing campaign against London and other cities only strengthened British resolve. Meanwhile, Axis armies also pushed into North Africa and the Balkans.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “How does Janina describe the German attack on Poland?” (Sample: loud, destructive, confusing, horrifying) “How do you predict airplanes might be used in World War II?” (Sample: for bombing, transportation, reconnaissance)
When showing Color Transparency 175, use the lesson suggested in the transparency book to guide a discussion.
Witness History Audio: Winston Churchill
Witness History Audio: Surviving the Blitz
Note Taking Transparency 172A

5. Section 2: The Axis Advances
Germany Invades the Soviet Union
Hitler invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941 in the hopes of gaining its natural resources and putting down communism. Hitler’s advance was stalled by the brutal Russian winter, but Russians in Leningrad suffered a two-and-a-half-year siege that caused mass starvation.
Life Under Japanese and Nazi Occupation
The people who lived in lands occupied by the Nazis and the Japanese were often offered brutal treatment. Hitler’s forces sent Polish and Soviet Slavs to work as slave laborers and the Jewish people got the same and worse in Nazi “death camps.” The Japanese killed and tortured Asians whom they claimed to help free from Western colonial rule.
Victor was born The spring of 44 And never saw His father anymore The child of sacrifice Child of war Another son who never had A father after Leningrad Went off to school And learned to serve his state Follow the rules And drank his vodka straight The only way to live Was drown the hate The russian life was very sad And such was life in leningrad I was born in 49 A cold war kid in the McCarthy times Stop 'em at the 38th parallel Blast those yellow reds to hell Cold war kids were hard to kill Under their desks in an air raid drill Haven't they heard we won the war What do they keep on fighting for?
Victor was sent To some red army town Served out his time Become a circus clown The greastst happiness He'd ever found Was making russian children glad When children lived in leningrad. The children lived in Levittown Hid in the shelters underground Til the soviets turned their ships around Torn the cuban missiles down And in that bright October sun We knew our childhood days were done I watched my friends go off to war What do they keep on fighting for? So my child and I came to this place To meet him , eye to eye and face to face He made my daughter laugh Then we embraced We never knew what friends we had Until we came to Leningrad.
Note Taking Transparency 172B
The “Road of Life”: Siege of Leningrad
Check out Billy Joel’s Leningrad

6. Section 2: The Axis Advances
Japan Attacks the United States
When the U.S. banned the sale of war materials to Japan after its invasion of French Indochina, Japan and the U.S. participated in fruitless talks. Japanese General Tojo ordered an attack on the American fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This led to a declaration of war by the U.S.
Color Transparency 175: Pearl Harbor
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “How does Janina describe the German attack on Poland?” (Sample: loud, destructive, confusing, horrifying) “How do you predict airplanes might be used in World War II?” (Sample: for bombing, transportation, reconnaissance)
When showing Color Transparency 175, use the lesson suggested in the transparency book to guide a discussion.
Progress Monitoring Transparency

7. Note Taking Transparency 172A

8. Color Transparency 175: Pearl Harbor

9. Progress Monitoring Transparency (1 of 2)

10. Progress Monitoring Transparency (2 of 2)

11. In-Class Activity Summarize and Analyze Section 2
The Axis Attacks
The Blitz
Germany Invades the Soviet Union
The Holocaust
Life Under Nazi/Japanese Occupation
Japan Attacks US (use Pearl Harbor transparency)
Role of US before and after joining Allies

12. World War II and Its Aftermath
Section 3: The Allies Turn the Tide, pp
Witness History Audio: Support the War!
What will the Allies need to carry out this great effort?
With so many men going to fight in the war, who will fill the need for workers?
All-Out War
The U.S. and Great Britain directed economic resources into the war effort and limited the rights of citizens and freedom of the press. Japanese Americans and German refugees in Britain suffered for their heritage. Women filled many war industry jobs as men joined the military.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What will the Allies need to carry out this great effort?” (raw materials and workers) “With so many men going to fight in the war, who will fill the need for workers?” (women)
When showing Color Transparency 176, have students also look at the British poster on the previous page. Discuss how posters, advertisements, and movies helped to instill patriotism and a desire to cooperate in the war effort.
When showing Color Transparency 177, ask a volunteer to read the description of the battle from the text. As the student reads each sentence, point to the map to show where the action took place. Then use the lesson suggested in the transparency book to guide a discussion.
Color Transparency 176: World War II Posters
Note Taking Transparency 173

13. Section 3: The Allies Turn the Tide
The Allies Forge Ahead
In 1942 and 1943, the Allies won victories in the Pacific, North Africa, Italy, the Soviet Union, and France. Both Japan and Nazi Germany were put on the defensive as the U.S. pushed across North Africa and into Italy and also island-hopped across the Pacific and Soviet troops began advancing into Eastern Europe.
Color Transparency 177: Battle of Stalingrad
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What will the Allies need to carry out this great effort?” (raw materials and workers) “With so many men going to fight in the war, who will fill the need for workers?” (women)
When showing Color Transparency 176, have students also look at the British poster on the previous page. Discuss how posters, advertisements, and movies helped to instill patriotism and a desire to cooperate in the war effort.
When showing Color Transparency 177, ask a volunteer to read the description of the battle from the text. As the student reads each sentence, point to the map to show where the action took place. Then use the lesson suggested in the transparency book to guide a discussion.

14. Section 3: The Allies Turn the Tide
The Allies Push Toward Germany
The Allies invaded the coast of Normandy on June 6, 1944, and after a costly battle headed toward Paris. The Germans retreated and France was soon free. An intensive bombing campaign crippled Germany’s industries and devastated many of its cities. Because Churchill and Roosevelt needed Stalin’s help to win the war, they agreed to many of his demands regarding the annexation and determination of lands in Asia and Eastern Europe.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What will the Allies need to carry out this great effort?” (raw materials and workers) “With so many men going to fight in the war, who will fill the need for workers?” (women)
When showing Color Transparency 176, have students also look at the British poster on the previous page. Discuss how posters, advertisements, and movies helped to instill patriotism and a desire to cooperate in the war effort.
When showing Color Transparency 177, ask a volunteer to read the description of the battle from the text. As the student reads each sentence, point to the map to show where the action took place. Then use the lesson suggested in the transparency book to guide a discussion.
D-Day:
Operation Overlord
Progress Monitoring Transparency

15. Color Transparency 176: World War II Posters-Total War

16. Note Taking Transparency 177: Battle of Stalingrad
Stalingrad (now Volgograd) was an important Soviet industrial city along the Volga River. In the summer of 1942, the Germans began a frontal assault on the city. Control of the city would have cut off Soviet access to the Volga. The river was a vital link to southern Russia. By Sept., the Germans had reached the center of the city. Russian forces were driven to nearly the Volga. Then, as shown, Soviet genereals outside of Stalingrad began a counteroffensive and surrounded the city, cutting off the Germans from their supply lines. The German commander, Friedrich Paulus, surrendered to the Soviets 1/31/43. Total Axis losses were about 800,000. The Soviets lost 1.1 Million soldiers.
Paulus had been ordered by Hitler not to surrender under any circumstances.

17. Progress Monitoring Transparency

18. Assignment 1 due Wed. 3/2
Read text, pp identifying 3 key terms and answering 2 Checkpoint questions.
Answer caption question, pp 938
Study section 2 PP slides and take Auto-Test

19. Assignment 2 due Fri. 3/4
Read text, pp , identifying 4 new terms and answering 2 Checkpoint questions.
Complete Map Skills, pp. 943

20. Assignments 3 due Mon. 3/8
Read text, pp. 942, , identifying all new terms and answering questions.
Complete D-Day Activity, pp answering questions.
Study PP slides and take Section 3 Auto-Test.