New
New
Year 6

The outbreak of the Second World War

I can recall some key information about the Second World War.

New
New
Year 6

The outbreak of the Second World War

I can recall some key information about the Second World War.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The Second World War broke out in 1939 when Nazi Germany invaded Poland.
  2. Having promised to defend Poland, Britain and France declared war on Nazi Germany.
  3. When war was declared, many men and women joined the armed forces.
  4. The war lasted six years and brought about significant changes for many people.
  5. The Second World War has been seen as a turning point because the changes it brought were decisive and permanent.

Keywords

  • Nazi Germany - When Germany was governed by a group of people called the Nazis it was called Nazi Germany.

  • Poland - Poland is a country that lies between Germany and Russia.

  • Ration - When there is not enough of something, a ration is the small amount that each person is allowed to have equally.

Common misconception

Only British people fought for Britain during the Second World War.

Highlight how millions of men and women from around the world helped the British armed forces.

Using an atlas or globe to point out the countries discussed in relation to the students' own location will help to support geographical understanding.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
In what year did World War I start?
1912
Correct answer: 1914
1916
1918
Q2.
What country did Britain declare war with during World War I?
Correct Answer: Germany
Q3.
What name is World War I also called?
The Long War
Correct answer: The Great War
The Empirical War
Q4.
In what year did World War I end?
1916
1917
Correct answer: 1918
1919
Q5.
In history, what does the term 'allies' often refer to?
Correct answer: Countries that work together during wartime or conflict
Countries that oppose other during wartime
Countries that share the same leader, language and culture
Countries that are next to each other on a map
Q6.
What was the British Empire?
The group of countries, including Great Britain, ruled by America
The group of countries in Europe, ruled by Great Britain
Correct answer: The group of countries across different continents, ruled by Great Britain

6 Questions

Q1.
When did Nazi Germany invade Poland?
1st September, 1937
1st September, 1938
Correct answer: 1st September, 1939
1st September, 1940
Q2.
On what date did Britain and France declare war on Nazi Germany?
Correct Answer: 3rd September, 1939, 3.9.1939, 03/09/1939
Q3.
In which year did the Second World War end?
1943
1944
Correct answer: 1945
1946
Q4.
Which of these countries did some of the people who joined the British Armed Forces come from?
Germany
Correct answer: Australia
America
Correct answer: India
Correct answer: South Africa
Q5.
Why did the government introduce food rationing during the Second World War?
There was not enough money, so it allowed them to save money on food supplies.
Correct answer: There was not enough food, so it allowed them to share it equally.
There was too much food, so it allowed them to store it safely.
Q6.
When did food rationing end?
1945
1946
1953
Correct answer: 1954

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