OBJECTIVE - In this lesson, you will learn about the major battles of World War II.

GUIDING QUESTION - What were the major battles of World War II?

DISCUSSION

World War Two (WWII) took place on virtually the entire landscape and seascape of the earth.  However, the United States did not have any continued action aside from the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.  Numerous battles between the Allied and Axis Powers decided the fate of the War and who would control the destiny of humankind.  These battles exacted heavy casualties and required huge expenditures of resources.  Many times, the fate of the battle was not certain.  Each side went into the conflict hoping for victory, but not certain of anything.  In order to fully understand World War II, one must have an understanding of the conflicts between the major powers competing for dominance. 

 Begin by reading the articles below about these battles of World War II.  (Use the “find” feature on your computer to find the battle words to take you directly to the battle you need – Edit Menu/Find or Ctrl/F.)

Pacific Theater (land and sea battles in the Pacific Ocean)

• Bombing of Pearl Harbor - http://www.combinedfleet.com/map.htm
• Battle of Midway - http://www.combinedfleet.com/map.htm
• Battle of Guadalcanal - http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-battles-of-world-war-ii
• Battle of Iwo Jima - http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-battles-of-world-war-ii
• Battle of Okinawa - http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-battles-of-world-war-ii

 European Theater (battles that took place in Europe)

• Battle of Britain - http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-battles-of-world-war-ii
• Battle of the Bulge - http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-battles-of-world-war-ii
• Normandy Invasion - http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-battles-of-world-war-ii

Now, choose one of the above battles/events for this assignment (email your instructor your choice so that different students do different battles/events.  You may not do Pearl Harbor):

 Creating the PowerPoint presentation:

After choosing your battle, find at least three different resources including: one non-fiction book and one website that gives you information about the battle you chose. 

• 1) Title Slide with Name of the battle/conflict
• 2) Primary participants
• 3) Time and place of the battle/conflict
•             -How long did the battle actually last once it started?
• 4) Estimated casualties
• 5) Outcome of the battle/conflict
• 6) Overall effect of outcome on the entire War (How did this battle effect the larger War?)
• 7) Deciding factor or factors that led to victory of one side over the other.  If there was no clear cut winner, then state the factors that prevented the participants from defeating one another.
• 8) If you were in this battle, what would you have done differently and why?
• 9) Bibliography Slide must include “Works Cited.”   All sources used for putting the PowerPoint together.  You may use whatever resources are available, including internet, books, magazines, journals, etc…  You must give credit, however, when you use someone else's work.  (Note:  You should have at least three different sources).

The PowerPoint should be:

• Organized in a clear, easy-to-understand way
• No grammatical errors
• Good use of pictures, charts, graphs, etc…
• Creatively put together!!! (This will be a major factor in determining your grade for this assignment)

Use the standard naming protocol to name your file before submitting: LAST NAME FIRST NAME 603 WWII BATTLES (i.e. douglastim603wwIIbattles).

Here are some web resources to get you started on this assignment:

• http://www.multied.com/ww2/
• http://www.lbdb.com/TMDisplayWar.cfm?WID=5
• http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/cot/t2w30wwiibattles.htm

Assignment 6.03 - The Battles

Your assignment for this lesson is to research a specific battle of World War II. 

1. Complete the PowerPoint presentation. 
2. Go to the Assignment Area and click on “View/Complete Assignment” for 6.03.  Attach your completed PowerPoint.