OpenStax
Open Stax: World War Ii 1941 1945: Origins of War: Europe, Asia and United States
Examines the conditions that fostered the rise of Fascism and Nazism, the events during the lead-up to the outbreak of war, and what Roosevelt did to help affected nations yet still keep the United States neutral.
History of American Wars
History of American Wars: Causes of World War 2: (1939 1945)
A timeline showing the events between 1914 and 1939 that led to the outbreak of World War II, one from March to December of 1941 listing the events leading to America's involvement.
Ohio State University
E History: The Second World War
An interactive chronicle of WWII. Starts with the causes of WWII and goes through the entire war step by step. Interactive maps, videos, and a step by step explanation of each event.
Other
World War Ii History Info: World War Ii in Britain
Reference page explaining British involvement in World War II. With links to related material.
National Geographic
National Geographic: Society: Timeline: World War Ii
One stop shop for everything you need to know about WWII. This interactive timeline features all the major events leading to war, major battles and turning points, rulers during the war, and the consequences of this war. Vibrant...
Brigham Young University
World War I Document Archive: Kaiser Wilhelm Ii's Account of Events
An excerpt from the memoirs of Kaiser Wilhelm II from July 1914 in which Wilhelm discusses the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and other various situations around the world which lead up to World War I.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Foreign Affairs
Scroll through this discussion of Franklin Roosevelt's attention to foreign policy during his several terms in office to "Confronting Germany and Japan" and "Descent into War." Here you will find out about the United States' position of...
C3 Teachers
C3 Teachers: Inquiries: Treaty of Versailles
A comprehensive learning module on the Treaty of Versailles that includes three supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and source materials, followed by a summative performance task. The unit examines whether or not the...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Passport to the Great Wars
In this unit plan students will be examining the causes, events, and consequences of the First World War. To launch this project students will create passports that they will use throughout this unit and in the World War II unit. The...
Wessels Living History Farm
Living History Farm: Farming in the 1940s: Wwii Causes a Revolution in Farming
Because of World War II, life changed for farmers in the 1940s. Many farmers left the farm for the cities or to serve in the military, new technologies were developed, and equipment improved making the work in fields easier and quicker.
US Holocaust Memorial Museum
Ushmm: Holocaust Encyclopedia: Mosaic of Victims
An analysis of the scope of Nazi persecution during World War II, including the Jews, Poles, Roma, and any groups people who did not support the Nazi cause.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Prelude to War
[Free Registration/Login Required] Use this flipchart after reading Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss to explain totalitarian governments and dictators. The chart explains the time before World War II through Italy, Spain, USSR, Japan, and...
Department of Defense
Do Dea: Ap Us History: Unit 8: An Age of Confidence and Anxiety
This extensive learning module examines the United States' response to the global uncertainty and instability that followed World War II and the ways that marginalized groups challenged discrimination, and the counter-responses to their...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Baby Boom
Looks at the baby boom in America after World War II - what caused it, why it lasted so long, and the far-reaching social and economic impact it has had on the United States.
Digital History
Digital History: The Aftermath of the Decision [Pdf]
A touching and horrifying description of the devastation caused by the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which brought about the surrender of Japan in World War II. Suggested student exercises accompany the information....
Library of Congress
Loc: u.s. History Timeline: The Post War United States 1945 1968
Includes how the United States' entry into WWII caused vast changes in every aspect of American life, how arts and entertainment showed continuity and change, and details of the 1960 election of John F. Kennedy as President.
Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana Doe: Louisiana Believes: Us History: Wwii
Young scholars develop and express claims through discussions and writing which examine the causes and consequences of historical events and international relations on a shift in U.S. foreign policy which eventually led to U.S....
Other
Calvin College: Nazi and East German Propaganda
This collection of visual and printed propaganda material from 1933 to 1989 centers around the rise of the Nazi Party, World War II from the Nazi perspective, and East German Communism.
PBS
Pbs: Commanding Heights: German Hyperinflation, 1923
This site provides great discussion of the causes and effects of the German Hyperinflation of 1923.
Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Zoot Suit Riots
[Free Registration/Login Required] Like other big cities, Los Angeles has had its share of unrest, even riots in some instances. In this lesson, the Zoot Suit Riots of 1943 are investigated to figure out what caused the event.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1890 1945: The Us in Wwi: The Treaty of Versailles
Looks at the Treaty of Versailles, what its terms were, why America never ratified it or joined the League of Nations, why Germans grew to resent the burdens it imposed on them, and how this contributed to Hitler's rise to power....
Digital History
Digital History: Munich: Anatomy of a Crisis [Pdf]
This excellent lesson plan lays out the framework of the lead-up to World War II in Europe. It covers the problem the support of Czechoslovakia caused Great Britain and France, the policy of appeasement exercised by Prime Minister...
Other
Lebendiges Museum Online: Kriegszerstorung
This site from the Lebendiges Museum Online describes the extent of damage caused to Germany by allied bombings. There is also a video. Written in German.
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Causes of Ww2 for Kids
Article on the causes of WW2 provides detailed facts and summary of events that started the war including the attack on Pearl Harbor and the rise of dictators in Germany and Italy.