Year 9 - History
The last days of the Second World War
WW2: which events turned the tide in the story of the Second World War?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn about the rise of fascism in Europe and how this helped to bring about the Second World War. They examine key turning points in the conflict, including the Battle of Britain, the siege of Stalingrad, the D-Day landings and the use of atomic weapons in 1945.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to write a narrative account of the events which turned the tide in the story of the Second World War.
Key Notes
- In August 1945 the USA dropped two atomic bombs on Japan, leading to the end of the Second World War.
- The tide of WW2 began to turn with the Battle of Britain, Nazi Germany's invasion of the USSR and the USA's entrance.
- As the Nazis were forced back in the USSR, the D-Day landings and the use of atomic bombs led to the war's end.
- A good narrative will describe the events of WW2 in chronological order.
- A good narrative will identify and describe turning points leading to the end of WW2, explaining their role.
Vocabulary To Learn
- atomic bomb: an extremely powerful bomb that uses the explosive power resulting from splitting the atom
- radiation: a form of energy that, when it comes from a nuclear explosion, can be very dangerous to health
- D-Day: the day during WW2 when the Allies began their invasion of Europe by attacking the coast of northern France; Operation Overlord
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The atomic bombs dropped on Japan only had immediate impacts.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
In August 1945 the USA dropped two atomic bombs on Japan, leading to the end of the Second World War. The tide of WW2 began to turn with the Battle of Britain, Nazi Germany's invasion of the USSR and the USA's entrance.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'atomic bomb'
an extremely powerful bomb that uses the explosive power resulting from splitting the atom.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: The atomic bombs dropped on Japan only had immediate impacts. Correction: The bombs had unprecedented destructive power. They sent out a shock wave that incinerated everything within a four-mile radius and in the weeks that followed, people died from radiation poisoning despite having survived the initial blast.
More Lessons In This Unit
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