WHAP Unit 13: WWII

Course Description

The World History AP course goes tremendously further than traditional history courses in requiring students to interpret primary sources, draw inferences based on larger repetitive themes and, in a very real way, become historians. While this course offers an opportunity to learn how to think critically and interact with the world on new levels, it would be untrue to proclaim the course does not have series of idiosyncrasies that make it a more challenging course…like teaching 10,000 years of history, test-taking and essay-writing skills. I believe, however, that with organization and preparation, with academic transparency and a commitment to joining this truly learning community, the select few who have chosen to embark down this path this year will be forever changed by the experience.

Sherer History Blog

Unit 13: The Second World War

Slide Show
Directions:

download or view Slide Show
if the slide has a corresponding video clip, there will be a video number at the top of the slide
below are 28 video clips that correspond with the slide show, most are primary source clips and a few are Hollywood

Additional Links:

LEADERS INSPIRE - Winston Churchill's speech
Battle for Stalingrad - Primary Source
Battle of Kursk - Russian Primary Source

Thoughts to Consider:

What were Hitler and the Axis Powers’ biggest mistakes?
How were Asian-Americans affected after the bombing at Pearl Harbor?
What part of Frank Capra’s film misleads Americans or is it propaganda that is all true?
Who deserves the most credit for winning the war in Europe?

Corresponding Video Clips

Video #1

Video #3

Video #5

Video #7

Video #9

Video #11

Video #13

Video #15

Video #17

Video #19

Video #21

Video #23

Video #25

Video #27

Video #2

Video #4

Video #6

Video #8

Video #10

Video #12

Video #14

Video #16

Video #18

Video #20

Video #22

Video #24

Video #26

Video #28

Part 2: Winning the War in Asia
&
The Birth of the Atomic Age

Slide Show
Commentary
Additional Links and Resources:

J. Robert Oppenheimer via atomicheritage.org
Debate Beginning Link

Tasks:

Post to Discussion Thread: WWII - Winning the War in Europe [HERE] by 6 AM Tuesday, 3.31
View SLIDE SHOW above
Watch video clips below
View Additional Links and Resources
Post to Discussion Thread: To Drop, or Not to Drop - A DEBATE [HERE] by 6 AM Tuesday, 3.31
- find a good research source: link it!
- I will begin tomorrow's lesson with a review, thoughts to consider, and of course to shower praise on the best debate contribution.

Alamogordo, New Mexico

Atomic Test Footage

How It Works

Hiroshima: Dropping the Bomb

Part 3: Cost and Recovery

SlDE SHOW
SHERER Commentary
Additional Links:

Chasing Sound
- Documentary on Les Paul: creator of the first commercially-successful electric guitar
A look at the cost of WWII through economics