Materials

• Overhead projector
• Overhead with three columns labeled “Persons,” “Places,” and “Events” (Appendix A)
• Maps of Europe in 1913 and after 1919 (wall maps and/or computer online maps)
• World War II chronology (Appendix B)
• World War II chronology handout containing only the dates (Appendix B without the information in the second column)
• Computer with Internet access

Instructional Activities

1. Review activities from the previous session, as needed, including student reports on the validity of the brainstorming statements.
   
   
2. Display maps showing Europe prior to 1914 and then in 1919 after WWI. Explain the humiliation that Germans felt as a result of the Versailles Treaty, including Germany’s tremendous loss of land. Show the land that Russia lost, and discuss the fact that Italy was not given all she was promised. The following statements are a sample of the information to be included in the discussion:
   •  The Versailles Treaty of 1919 put the blame for the war on Germany and planted the seeds of WWII.
   •  The Versailles Treaty included harsh treatment of Germany, the breaking up of The Austro-Hungarian Empire, the creation of new countries out of Germany and Russia, and the short-changing of territory for Italy.
   •  Resentment and economic desperation fostered dictatorships and militarism in Germany (Adolf Hitler), Italy (Benito Mussolini), and Russia (Joseph Stalin). Militarism and imperialism was strong in Japan (General Hideki Tojo).
   •  Worldwide economic depression created unrest.
   •  Fascism in Italy and Spain and Nazism in Germany were fueled by concepts of racial superiority and extreme nationalism.
   •  Inaction by the League of Nations and the policy of appeasement fostered bolder moves by dictators to expand territory.
   
   The Web site <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1919versailles.html> may prove useful in this discussion. It provides information on the key territorial and political clauses of the Treaty of Versailles that Germany was forced to accept, and the ways in which France benefited.
   
   
3. If not already done in session 9 of the previous organizing topic, instruct students to color-code outline maps of Europe before and after WWI to better discern the territorial and political changes.
   
   
4. Distribute a dates-only WWII chronology handout to each student. Explain to students that they will add key events as they are discussed.
   
   
5. Instruct students to identify and define at least six terms in their textbook ending in “ism” that are connected with WWII or the 30 years preceding it.