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Interwar and World War II

Driving Question: How did the horrors of World War II happen, and what conflicts did this war resolve or leave unresolved?

How does one world war lead to another? This lesson introduces key tools, events, and historical patterns, which will help you understand how global tensions and extremist ideologies led to the most devastating war in modern history.

Learning Objectives

  1. Evaluate the international efforts at cooperation that followed the end of World War I.
  2. Understand how the rise of extremist ideologies during the interwar period helped cause World War II.
  3. Identify major changes and continuities in communities, networks, and production and distribution during and after the Second World War.

Vocab Terms:

  • authoritarian
  • eugenics
  • fascism
  • genocide
  • Great Depression
  • nationalism
  • totalitarian
STEP 1

Opener: Interwar and World War II

Coming soon!

STEP 2

Looking Ahead

Begin exploring the connections between World War I and World War II, and consider how past events shaped what came next for communities, nations, and global systems.

STEP 3

The Second World War

These resources introduce the key causes, turning points, and consequences of the Second World War while raising questions about what was resolved and what remained unfinished.

Unit 7 Overview External link

Just 20 years after the end of the First World War, the world faced another, even more devastating global conflict, one in which great violence was aimed at civilian populations.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.
STEP 4

Framing Unit 7

Understanding the causes and consequences of World War II requires a broader lens. This video and activity will help you use the course frames to identify change, continuity, and complexity during this global conflict.

Frames in Unit 7 External link

During the interwar period, nationalism and internationalism vied for influence, while global production and distribution faltered, creating enormous suffering.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.
STEP 5

Closer: Interwar and World War II

Coming soon!

Extension Materials
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Revise a sample student essay and give suggestions for how to build a strong argument with clear organization and effective use of language—this will help build your own understanding of quality writing.
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Reviewing for Organization and Language/Style

By suggesting revisions to someone else’s writing, you’ll get much better at identifying what makes strong writing. Make suggestions for improving organization and language/style—and then keep those suggestions in mind the next time you write.