The last days of the Second World War
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write a narrative account of the events which turned the tide in the story of the Second World War.
Key learning points
- 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.
Keywords
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 misconception
The atomic bombs dropped on Japan only had immediate impacts.
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.
Teacher tip
Divide students into groups and assign each a major turning point (e.g., Battle of Stalingrad, D-Day, atomic bombings). Each group will create and present a short presentation on their event's significance.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes the policy or practice of showing interest only in your own country and not being involved in international activities or war?
Q2.What was the name of the day during WW2 when the Allies began their invasion of Europe by attacking the coast of northern France?
Q3.Why did the Japanese treat prisoners of war particularly brutally during the Second World War?
Q4.Which events led to Germany's surrender in May 1945?
Q5.Complete the sentence with the correct figure: 7000 ships carrying more than men stormed the beaches of Normandy as part of Operation Overlord.
Q6.Why did forces from the British Empire fight Italian and German forces in the deserts of North Africa for two years during WW2?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes an extremely powerful bomb that uses the explosive power resulting from splitting the atom?
Q2.Which word describes a form of energy that, when it comes from a nuclear explosion, can be very dangerous to health?
Q3.Why in late 1940 did it look like Germany would be victorious?
Q4.Put the following events in chronological order.
Q5.Put the following events in chronological order.
Q6.Why did President Truman give the order for the super weapon to be used against Japan on 6th August 1945?
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: The last days of the Second World War, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: The last days of the Second World War, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the WW2: which events turned the tide in the story of the Second World War? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.