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Teaching World War II

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  • Activities: 5
  • Quiz Questions: 40

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World War II was a long, violent, brutal event, but teaching it doesn't have to be. And if your students are resisting involvement in this lesson, we can help you persuade them.

In this guide you will find

  • an activity examining the rivalry between FDR and Charles Lindberg.
  • pop culture resources, including everyone's favorite documentarian (i.e., the only one they can name), Ken Burns.
  • related literary resources like Slaughterhouse-Five and Catch-22 (World War II novels love their hyphens).

And so much more.

What's Inside Shmoop's History Teaching Guides

Shmoop is a labor of love from folks who love to teach. Our teaching guides will help you supplement in-classroom learning with fun, engaging, and relatable learning materials that bring history to life.

Inside each guide you'll find quizzes, activity ideas, discussion questions, and more—all written by experts and designed to save you time. Here are the deets on what you get with your teaching guide:

  • 3-5 Common Core-aligned activities (including quotation, image, and document analysis) to complete in class with your students, with detailed instructions for you and your students. 
  • Discussion and essay questions for all levels of students.
  • Reading quizzes to be sure students are looking at the material through various lenses.
  • Resources to help make the topic feel more relevant to your 21st-century students.
  • A note from Shmoop's teachers to you, telling you what to expect from teaching the topic and how you can overcome the hurdles.

Want more help teaching Teaching World War II?

Check out all the different parts of our corresponding learning guide.



Instructions for You

Objective: After World War II broke out in Europe in 1939, Americans spent the next two years debating whether or not they should get involved. Most supported the non-interventionist recommendations of celebrity aviator Charles Lindbergh. President Franklin Roosevelt, on the other hand, tried to convince Americans that the European war was also their own war, and that they should assist the British and French and prepare for an even larger role in fighting against fascism. 

Of course, we all know which opinion won out, but who really had the better argument? 

In this exercise, your students will assume the position of either Charles Lindberg or Franklin Roosevelt and debate the American policy response to the war in Europe.

Length of Lesson: 1-2 class periods.

Materials Needed:

Step One: Briefly review the neutrality policies adopted during the 1930s and American reactions toward German acts of aggression in 1937 and 1938. You can do this verbally, or by having students review our Diplomacy Lens, reading from "Responding to Hitler with Neutrality" through the "Fall of Poland and France." 

Step Two: Sort your class into two groups: Roosevelt interventionists and Lindbergh America First Committee members (a.k.a., non-interventionists).

Step Three: Direct the Roosevelt camp to these four Roosevelt radio speeches.

Direct the Lindbergh camp to this information about Charles Lindbergh's Non-Interventionist stance.

Let each team know they will be debating the following resolution:

America should continue to steer clear of European involvement. America's interests are best advanced by a policy of strict neutrality.

Also, be sure to let students know what debate format you'll be using so they can organize their arguments.

Step Four: Finally, before you set them loose to research, take a quick class poll to see how many favor FDR's stance and how many favor Lindbergh's. Count hands and write down the numbers for future reference.

Step Five: Give students 30 minutes to prepare.

Step Six: Hold the debate.

Step Seven: After the debate, poll the class again to see if the numbers have changed. 

TEKS Standards: §113.41. United States History Studies Since 1877 b1, b2, b6, c2D, c7A, c7B, c29A, c29B, 30A, c30B

Instructions for Your Students

Are you a fireside chatter or a high-flying aviator? 

Nope. "Neither" isn't an option here.

Today you'll be taking the side of either FDR (the chatter) or Charles Lindbergh (the aviator) in a debate about WWII and whether or not the U.S. should have gotten involved. FDR said yes. Lindbergh said no. Obviously, we know now which point of view eventually won out, but who really had the better argument?

That's what you're going to find out today.

Step One: Briefly review the neutrality policies adopted during the 1930s and American reactions toward German acts of aggression in 1937 and 1938. You can do this by talking with your teacher and classmates to make sure you're all on the same page, or you can check out our Diplomacy Lens, reading from "Responding to Hitler with Neutrality" through the "Fall of Poland and France." 

Step Two: With your teacher's help, divide into two groups: Roosevelt interventionists and Lindbergh America First Committee
members (a.k.a., non-interventionists).

Step Three: If you're in the Roosevelt camp, check out these four Roosevelt radio speeches.

If you're in the Lindbergh camp, sift through this information about Charles Lindbergh's Non-Interventionist stance.

As you look through all of your information, keep in mind that you'll be debating the following resolution:

America should continue to steer clear of European involvement. America's interests are best advanced by a policy of strict neutrality.

Your teacher will let you know what debate format you'll be using so you can organize your arguments. 

Step Four: Before you venture too far into your research, take a quick class poll to see how many of your classmates favor FDR's stance and how many favor Lindbergh's. Count hands and write down the numbers for future reference.

Step Five: Take 30 minutes to prepare.

Step Six: Hold the debate.

Step Seven:After the debate, poll the class again to see if the numbers have changed.