20th Century
Shen
Name: ______________________________
World War II Web Quest (HW)
I. The Atlantic Charter: This important document described Roosevelt’s and Churchill’s vision for a free
and democratic postwar society:
• Self-determination for all nations (the people decide what kind of government they want)
• Equal trading rights for all
• System of general security to keep peace
II. U.S. Entry into the War: When the U.S. entered the war, the Allies were in a tough spot, finding
themselves on the defensive on every front. This was largely due to the success of the German strategy of
blitzkrieg.
III. Blitzkrieg
Go to the following website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/blitzkrieg_01.shtml
Read through the material presented there and explain why blitzkrieg was so effective.
In addition to controlling most of Europe, Germany invaded both Russia (going against a non-aggression
pact) as well as North Africa.
The Allies decided to focus on defeating the Nazis before the Japanese. However, they did not want to
invade Germany until they were sure they could ensure victory. Thus, Allied troops concentrated on North
Africa while the Soviets focused on trying to defeat the Germans on their own turf.
The Soviets were aided by the German’s inability to handle the harsh Russian winters.
III. Stalingrad
1. Go to the following website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/default.stm
2. Set the date and month to 2 February.
3. Click on “1943: Germans surrender at Stalingrad.”
4. Read through the information presented on this page, especially the box that says “In Context.”
Why was Stalingrad such an important battle?
If you have time, listen to the audio clips on this page.
When the Soviets finally repelled the Germans at Stalingrad, they suffered more casualties than the U.S. had
experienced in the whole war.
In the Atlantic, Allies used radar to find and destroy German submarines.
Meanwhile, in North Africa, Operation Torch under the command of Dwight D. Eisenhower, succeeded in
liberating Morocco and Tunisia from the Germans. They then moved onto Italy, where they eventually
liberated Rome (early 1944).
Toward the end of 1943, Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin met and agreed that the next move should be a
land invasion of German-occupied France. This was to be called “Operation Overlord” or D-Day.
IV. D-Day
Go to the following website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ In the box, you will
find a link that says “Special Section: D-Day and Operation Overlord.”
Click it. Explore the links you see. Definitely check out the two animated
maps & the “movie.” Also check out the “Voices of D-Day.”
Use the links above to answer the following questions:
1. Why was D-Day such a strategically important battle? What
did it ultimately accomplish and what was its significance?
2. What was D-Day like for the soldiers that experienced it? Use 2 specific examples from the
website to back up your points.
From the same page [Special Section: D-Day and Operation Overlord], click on the link to the article
entitled “GI Joe: U.S. Soldiers of WWII.” Read the article, and summarize how the Americans contributed
to the war effort below:
V. The Battle of the Bulge
The Germans’ last hurrah was in the Battle of the Bulge, in which they launched a counterattack in Belgium
and Luxembourg in December of 1944. However, it sputtered out after one month, clearing a way for the
Allies to easily invade Germany.
In early 1945, Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin met at Yalta to divide Germany into three “peacekeeping”
zones.
Hitler committed suicide on April 30, 1945. On May 8, Germany unconditionally surrendered. This is
known as V-E Day.
VI. The Pacific Front
At the time of U.S. entry into the war, the Japanese
controlled a large part of eastern and central Asia.
China had been defeated, India was in danger, and
Australia expected to be invaded soon.
After Pearl Harbor, the Japanese gained Guam, Wake,
Hong Kong, a British naval base at Singapore, and
defeated Filipino and American troops in the
Philippines.
–General MacArthur: “I shall return.”
Use http://www.google.com to do research on
the following battles that took place on the
Pacific front. Make sure to describe each battle
and say which side won it.
1. Philippines
2. Midway
3. Guadalcanal
4. Iwo Jima
5. Okinawa