Introduction
With the rise of authoritarian leaders in Germany and Italy, along with tensions in Europe and Asia, war would eventually erupt in 1939. By 1941, the United States would eventually be brought into the deadliest conflict in human history.
Become a historical analyst and explore the key decisions, policies, and global events that would lead up to World War 2. Determine whether or not if it was preventable for the United States to enter the war or if different choices would have changed how history would have gone.
Task
Working in either pairs or a group:
1. Investigate a major event, policy, or leader that is related to the lead up to World War 2
2. Discuss the impact of the event, policy, or leader on U.S. foreign policy and public opinion
3. Create a presentation that answers the main question: :Could World War 2 have been prevented? Was it inevitable for the U.S. to join the war?
4. You will defend your answer using historical evidence during a mock Congressional Hearing
Process
Step 1: Get in a pair or groups
Pick from one of the following topics
- The Treaty of Versailles and Rise of Fascism
- U.S. Isolationism and Neutrality Acts
- German Expansion and Munich Agreement
- The Attack on Pearl Harbor
- Role of the League of Nations
Step 2: Do Research of Your Topic
Using your textbook and other resources, gather information
- What happened?
- Who are the key people?
- What was Americas response?
- Could there have been a different outcome?
Step 3: Make your Presentation
Create your presentation
- Summary of the topic you chose
- Any sources that you used (Quote, speech, photo, etc.)
- Visuals like a map, image, or political cartoon
- The argument your team came up with
Step 4: Present your Presentation
In the mock Congressional Hearing, your group will present your argument and answer questions from the class
Evaluation
| Category | Excellent (4) | Good (3) | Fair (2) | Poor (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research & Content | Thorough, accurate, insightful | Accurate, mostly complete | Some inaccuracies or missing info | Incomplete or inaccurate |
| Presentation Design | Visually engaging, well-organized | Some visual appeal, organized | Basic visuals, some disorganization | Poor visuals, confusing layout |
| Historical Argument | Strong, well-supported, persuasive | Clear, mostly supported | Weak argument, limited support | Lacks evidence or clear position |
| Collaboration & Teamwork | All members actively contributed | Most members participated | Uneven participation | One person did all the work |
| Oral Presentation | Confident, clear, answered questions | Clear, answered most questions | Some confusion or missed points | Unclear, unprepared |
Conclusion
During this assignment, you've explored the complexity of war, diplomacy, along with public opinion. As you do more tasks, you should notice that history is more than just a series of dates but a web of decisions. After the assignment, you should be able to answer the question: Did humanity miss a chance at peace or was World War 2 inevitable?
Credits
Sources and Materials Used:
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National Archives – archives.gov
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Library of Congress Primary Sources – loc.gov
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U.S. History.org – ushistory.org
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History.com – history.com
Teacher Page
Time Frame:
2-3 class periods
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Day 1: Introduction & Group Research
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Day 2: Research & Planning
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Day 3: Presentations (Congressional Hearing)
Learning Objectives
Students will:
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Analyze key causes of WWII and U.S. involvement.
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Evaluate historical events from multiple perspectives.
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Work collaboratively to build evidence-based arguments.
Standards Alignment
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US.48: Evaluate the causes of WWII and U.S. entry into the war.
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US.49: Identify key individuals, events, and turning points during WWII.
Materials Needed
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Internet-connected devices for research
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Access to Google Slides or Canva
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Rubric printouts (or digital versions)