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The start of World War 2
The start of World War 2 is a complicated business in history. Not as bad as the start of World War 1, but it still takes some explanation. So let’s get started!
(there are affiliate links in here)
Preparing to learn about the start of World War 2
First I went to this maps website, and then I copied and printed out the 1939-1942 map for us to use. I also wanted them to generally work on labeling maps, so we printed out this blackline of World War 2 Europe. I think I need to break down and buy Wonder Maps, we’re using maps a lot more now (Edited to add: I did buy WonderMaps and it’s been fabulous for our history studies because it already has the information I needed to teach). I’ve also decided I need full-size maps of each continent. I keep printing off these maps and having to remake them each time it comes up………. (edited to add, I’ve now got laminated copies of several different continents or parts of continents, I’m missing the Middle East {find out how to make them here}).
What caused World War 2 you ask?
(This lesson came from All American History 2* and I”m sure if you’re studying world history it’s also in Mystery of History 4)
At the end of World War 1, Germany got screwed (sorry to be so straight, but they were). All of the other countries were looking for someone to blame, so they chose Germany and gave them some big-honking war reparations. That’s the official term, big-honking.
That allowed Adolf Hitler to come into power. Adolf Hitler was a brilliant man in many aspects, he was also somewhat insane and power-hungry. Let’s go through what he did.
First, Hitler puts troops into the demilitarized zone between Germany and France. No one did anything (we’ve later discovered Hitler fully expected someone to do something, and if they had, he would have backed down, so it’s partially our fault for our cowardice).
Then Hitler annexes Austria, under the claim “it’s really part of greater Germany.” Most Austrians don’t object to his annexation, and it’s a smooth takeover (the primary exception being a singing family with lots of kids).
Emboldened by the complete lack of opposition, everyone was too war-weary after World War 1 to want to get into another war, Hitler sends more troops over to France and actually takes part of it. France puts up some resistance, but not much, and Britain basically says “play nice now kids,” and does nothing.
Hitler goes into Poland and takes it. There is some resistance, but they did not really believe he would invade, so it was not organized. Britain wakes up to the impending danger and allies with France (gold stars show the allies).
While claiming to want peace, Hitler invades France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. They all fall to Germany’s organized military power in fairly short order. This is the start of Vichy France and the underground French rebellion.
Italy has its own tin-plated dictator (and yes I can quote Star Trek as part of history), and allies itself with Germany. Stalin thinks Germany is on the right track with its “subversives,” and he and Hitler carve up Europe between them in a secret agreement. They start it all off by carving up Poland. Poland officially falls but organizes a secret underground movement helping to fight Germany through the end of the war.
Meanwhile, Germany doesn’t want Britain to get the upper hand, so it starts bombing runs on Britain, this is the early 1940/1941 time frame. Britain to save their families sends all kids in Southern Britain to the North (and that’s how you get the starting story for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe {check out our The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe book club and movie night).
Meanwhile, President Roosevelt is really itching to get in on this fight, but the American people are quite sure they don’t want to get in on it. They’re starting to realize they really shouldn’t have been in on World War 1 (Irving Berlin wrote a hilarious political parody musical called Strike Up The Band* about getting into war), and they want to stay out of a European affair. So FDR manages to pass the “Cash Carry Act.”
So, much money and guns were traded back and forth between Britain and the United States. Meanwhile…….
Surprise! Germany betrays its’ ally and invades Russia. Everyone is shocked, they were such good friends. How could Germany turn on Russia like that?
And everyone picks their sides, and War is in Europe for the second time in 20 years.
Comments
28 responses to “The start of World War 2”
Oh my stinkin goodness!!!!!! We are starting WWII tomorrow and even though my kids are older than yours we will be using this! This is brilliant!!!!! I had no idea how we were going to jump into it-I had checked out a bunch of books from the library and we have Story of the World, but this is such a great starting point. THANK YOU TICIA!!!!
Yeah! I’m glad I could help. The kids really enjoyed it, and they colored it out on their own smaller maps.
I really like and agree with this, except for calling Hitler “somewhat insane.” The dude was really out there insane. Thank you for an entertaining review of the start of WWII. Yes, I do like being a bit behind you in history. 🙂
My theory is, he has to be at least somewhat sane to manage the empire he created. I do think by the end of World War 2 he was completely bonkers from everything I’ve read.
Were you a history major? Your history lessons are always so cool and so very thorough!
history minor, elementary education major. I wanted to major in history, but it wasn’t practical for wanting to teach elementary school……
You do an amazing job explaining these things! I love the map! I will refer to this when we get to this time in history!
I love the way you explain history! Your posts inspired me to create a History pinterest board, and I’ll be adding this post to it!
I bet it doesn’t surprise you that I have about 5 history boards, and 3 geography boards…….
I am SO looking forward to doing modern history – only another 800 years or so to go!!
Whereas I’m looking forward to getting back to the Ancients……. Most of my history courses in college were on the Ancients. My college professors teaching on Modern history left much to be desired.
Oh, History is an area that I’m just not great with myself even. This is a great post! I love how you’ve explained it all and how you used the map with the children. Thanks so much for sharing. Pinning 🙂
I love this! I’ll definitely use it with my gang. We were just getting ready to do WWII, too. Thanks!
[…] we continue on to our history lesson, and it’s about the start of World War 2. Well, the text book is incredibly dry and boring. Very boring. It’s driving me nuts, […]
Nicely done! Thanks for sharing 🙂
[…] History: We looked for Poland, located the general vicinity of the Battle of Midway, found Japan, and identified the cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima on the map in addition to singing the History Sentence this week. Here’s a link to additional map work and information about the start of World War II. https://adventuresinmommydom.org/the-start-of-world-war-2/ […]
[…] we continue on to our history lesson, and it’s about the start of World War 2. Well, the text book is incredibly dry and boring. Very boring. It’s driving me nuts, […]
This is great! Love it. I am going to use this. Thanks
OH MY GOODNESS. I have been combing through websites and boards all night long. I wish I found yours first! You are genius! Thank you for sharing!!! This is so much better than anything else out there. You don’t know me and I don’t know you. But, seriously. You are my Rock Star at this very moment.
I’m glad it’s helpful to you. I’m a big fan of history, and I love figuring out how to explain it relatively simply.
This is a great jumping off point for our unit study on WW2 this year. I am loving it! I am wondering where you found the blackline masters for the maps. I love how nice and large they are. Thanks so much!!
[…] The Start of World War 2 – Adventures in Mommydom […]
Amazing!!!! Nice Job!
Thank you Ticia! I’m starting a World War II unit with my students next week and this is exactly what I needed to start it off. Thank you for sharing your wonderful work 🙂
So glad it’s helpful!
Hi Ticia,
How do I find your 5 history boards, and 3 geography boards. I LOVED reading this.
JennyThanks! I love teaching history.
Here’s a link to my Pinterest account. You’ll find my history and geography boards there. It’s actually now 6 because I added a Texas history board that I’m about to make public.
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