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A CENTURY OF GLOBAL CONFLICT

Three global conflicts engulfed the world in the twentieth century: the clash of old-world empires in the First World War, the rise of fascism and the battle to defeat it in the Second World War, and the proxy wars that erupted as the superpowers struggled for supremacy in the Cold War. Delve into the period using lesson materials that explore the causes of these conflicts and the individual experiences of people who lived through them.

CLASSROOM MATERIALS

TRENCH FIGHTING TOOLS
Trench warfare was brutal—this video demonstrates the various weapons that British officers used in close-quarters combat.
Watch the video
BRITAIN & WORLD WAR I
Students explore why the British entered World War I, how people in Britain experienced the war, and the societal transformations that resulted.
Learn more
THE FALLEN OF WORLD WAR II
Give your classroom insight into the destruction of World War II with this video that uses data visualizations to examine the cost of the war in human lives.
See the data

INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCES

WOMEN AND WAR
See World War I through the eyes of Dr. Rosa Luxemburg and Helen Fairchild, two women with different viewpoints who lived during the conflict.
View the comics
HOLOCAUST LETTERS
These first-hand accounts provide a personal perspective on one of history’s most horrifying and appalling events.
Get them here
A LOST GENERATION
After the First World War, a whole generation of artists and soldiers struggled to find meaning in a world torn apart by the chaos of war.
Read the article

PRESENT DAY CONNECTIONS

CCOT & GLOBAL CONFLICT
Making connections is especially important when getting your students thinking about events in the twentieth century. This blog post has tips for your classroom.
Read all about it
A NEW COLD WAR?
Did the Cold War end? Or are we just in the next chapter? Help students link history to the events in the news with this blog post.
Check out the blog
A LASTING IMPACT
The year 1945 was a crucial turning point in twentieth-century global conflict. This video reflects why, after 80 years, the events of World War II still hold such relevance today.
Watch it Now

EXPLORE OTHER OER PROJECT LESSON TOPICS

The lessons in OER Project courses build curious, creative, and connected students. Our free, online resources are designed to support teachers and power amazing classrooms. Explore more of our lesson plans on a variety of social studies topics!

Cold War
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Ancient Civilizations
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Continuity and Change Over Time
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