World War Two: Entire World Engulfed in War with an Uncertain Outcome
We will explore WWII as a series of turning points that could have led to a very different outcome to the conflict. Central Question for the Unit: How easily can a war end differently based on critical turning points?
Course Lecture PowerPoint Slides and Other Materials
Course Lecture Video Recordings
Music Video Overview of the Unit (9:07 minutes) Music: "The Battle of Yavin" performed by London Symphony. This was background music for final battle to destroy the Death Star at end of first Star Wars movie in 1977 (later retitled Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope). Perfect fit for WWII.
Music Video Overview of WWII Propaganda (9:08 minutes) Music: Dashboard Confessional, "Bend Don't Break" and "Hands Down". I selected this music since I liked the beat.
Required Readings and Media
Study Guide Questions for Assigned Readings and Media (Word)
Churchill, Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat radio broadcast (PDF transcript)
Churchill, Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat radio broadcast (Audio)
Datillo, What Price Victory? Invasion of Japan Islands (PDF Transcript)
Murrow, Orchestrated Hell: Berlin Bombing Raid radio broadcast (PDF transcript)
Murrow, Orchestrated Hell: Berlin Bombing Raid radio broadcast (Audio)
Roosevelt, Speech to the Nation about War with Japan, Dec. 9, 1941 (PDF transcript)
Roosevelt, Speech to the Nation about War with Japan, Dec. 9, 1941 (Audio)
President Truman Speech to US Explaining Use of the A-Bomb (PDF transcript)
Unit Activities
Supplemental Learning Materials (Not required for major exams)
See two separatge web pages for these supplemental materials.