or ‘lightning war’, was a new military tactic in which  German planes, tanks, and foot soldiers united in a rapid assault to punch a hole through the enemy line

the countries, including Britain and France, that fought against the Axis countries, Germany and Italy, in the Second World War

Blitzkrieg and the Battle of Britain

History

The rise of fascism in Europe

Appeasement and the declaration of war

1941-2, a pivotal period of the Second World War

America's entry into the war and the D-Day landings

The last days of the Second World War

In this unit, pupils analyse significant events in World War Two that altered the direction of the war. This prepares them for the next unit, ‘Post-war Britain: for whom did the United Kingdom become a ‘New Jerusalem’?’, where they will explore how the post-war period saw a transformation in British society towards democratic socialism and social reform.

In ‘World War One: how 'total' was it for people in the British Empire?’, pupils explored the widespread impact of the First World War on the British Empire. This unit builds on that by analysing how specific events in World War Two shifted the global balance, helping pupils understand the scale and significance of conflict across both World Wars.

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.

WW2: which events turned the tide in the story of the Second World War? 

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

The British Army was dispatched to France.

Preparations were made for German bombing raids.

British troops crossed over from France into Germany.

Which of these were British responses to declaring war on Germany?

Which event led to the resignation of Neville Chamberlain as prime minister?

The German military achieved several victories deploying a tactic which became known as...

Where did the majority of the British Expeditionary Force become trapped when Germany invaded France?

The recent invention of {{ }} helped the RAF to defeat the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain.

After the failure to defeat the RAF, Hitler ordered a bombing campaign known as the...

When an area has been demilitarised, military forces there...

Adolf Hitler believed in the concept of perpetual...

In which year did Hitler move German troops into the Rhineland?

Hitler and the Nazis aimed to built a '{{ }}-year Reich'.

The Conservative MP {{ }} argued for increased military spending and preparations for war in response to Hitler's actions in 1934.

Chamberlain’s policy of {{ }} was a policy of bending to some of Hitler’s demands in order to avoid a war.

Blitzkrieg and the Battle of Britain

Lesson outcome

Content guidance