1. How did Europe descend into war by 1939?

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Lesson Objectives
​To evaluate the steps Hitler took that led to war in September 1939

Lesson Tasks

1. ​Download, read, and make notes from the Lesson PowerPoint.
2. Read and make notes from pages 135-147 can complete Activities 1-8.
3. Presentations - Divide into four groups. Each group will research a different event from 1936-1939 that dramatically escalated tensions, eventually resulting in war. The events are: Remilitarisation of the Rhineland (1936); Anschluss (1938); Czechoslovakia (1938-39); The Nazi-Soviet Pact and Poland (1939). Each group will research and give a 5 minute presentation that answers these questions:
   1. Explain Hitler's policy/aims towards this country (causes)
   2. Explain how Hitler was able to takeover/achieve success here (what happened)
   3. Explain the significance of this event and how it worsened relations in Europe (impact)
4. Complete this review grid assessing why Hitler's foreign policy was so successful
   

Essential Readings

1. Calvocoressi, P. (1989). Total War - Causes and Courses of the Second World War, Chapter 4: Munich...Prague...Warsaw, pp. 81-109

2. What was the international response to the start of war?

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Lesson Objectives
​To understand how world powers reacted to the start of war in September 1939

​Lesson Tasks

1. ​Download, read, and make notes from the Lesson PowerPoint.
2. Read textbook pages 148-153 and complete Activities 9-13.
3. Make a timeline of events from the Second World War from September 1939 - May 1940.
4. Why was Germany so successful initially in war?

​Essential Readings

1. Lee, S.J. (1998). Questions and Analysis in History - Hitler and Nazi Germany, Chapter 7(2): Did Hitler control the development of the Second World War?, pp. 92-95

3. Who was to blame for the outbreak of War in Europe?

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Lesson Objectives
​To evaluate different perspectives on the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939

Lesson Tasks

1. ​Read and make notes from textbooks pages 154-155.
2. Make a table. In the first column, list the main reasons for the outbreak of war. In the second, try to match the views of each historian to the factor they think was most important.