1940S Battles Project and More

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1940s Battles Project and More

Too often in high school history classes, the actual battles of war are overlooked. The causes, events, and consequences of war are intently analyzed, but battles tend to be glossed over. Unfortunately, when the entire focus of a presentation is on the battle, it can be a little dry. This is why this presentation will have focus on a specific battle of the 1940s with a twist. The twist is that you will also examine subjects related to your focus topic aside from the battle.

In compiling the information for this project, you, and 2-3 other members of class, will have to work quickly, as the amount of time being given is very condensed. The actual presentation itself is expected to be 20 minutes long, and each member of the group will be required to participate. Your purpose for the presentation is simple: inform your classmates about your assigned topic-as effectively as possible.

The presentation will be 200 points. It is essential that each of the requirements listed below be met. If not, there will be an automatic 25-point deduction off the top.

You must include the following:

1. Relevant political issue aside from the war in your countries. If your battle is between Russia and Germany, you must address political issues in these two nations.

2. Social/cultural issue from your nations. There are many options here when it comes to dealing with social and cultural concerns. Topics could range from roles of women, advances in technology, to sports.

3. Music from the period relative to the nations involved in the battle. Here you must provide, title, creator, and explain how this tune might represent the nation or the time period in the country. Notice country is singular this time. Ideally, music will come from one of the participating countries.

4. The battle: This will be a large part of the presentation. You will need to do the following

a. Explain why this battle is being fought.

b. Provide geographic location of this battle. Simply telling the class it occurred in Europe is not enough. Show us a map and explain.

c. Tactics employed by both sides.

d. Outcomes and impacts on the war.

5. Quiz. To make sure your fellow classmates were paying attention to your presentation you will administer a five-question quiz. The quiz must be relative to your presentation and by answering these questions; it will show an understanding on behalf of the viewers. Two of the five questions may be multiple choice or T/F, but the others must require a written response. Quizzes must be graded and returned to me within 3 days of the presentation.

General Items:

All members of the group must play an active role in the project from start to finish. Each member will be evaluated by his/her peers which will count for 10% of the grade.

Presentations must be tasteful and free of stereotypes

Presentations must be clear and not read to the class

Presentations must be polished which demonstrates planning and practice Time constraints must be met (+/- 3 minutes). You will have 20 minutes to present. Falling short or going over will result in a 2-point deduction for every minute and I round up.

How you choose to present the information is up to, but it must have that radio/T.V. broadcast feel. You may use video, PowerPoint, or other media. Limit your use of movie clips to 3-5 minutes, but if you are the stars, 15 minutes of the presentation can be video.

Enjoy!

Battles:

1. Battle of Britain (July-Oct. 1940) 7. Battle of Normandy (June 1944) 2. Battle of Midway (June 1942) 8. Operation Market Garden (Sept 1944) 3. Battle of Guadalcanal (August 1942) 9. Battle of Tinian Island (July-Aug. 1944 4. Siege of Leningrad (Sept. 1941-Jan. 1944) 10. Battle of the Bulge (Dec. 1944-Jan 1945) 5. Battle of Kursk (July 1943) 11. Battle of Iwo Jima (Feb 1945) 6. Battle of Anzio (Jan-June 1944) 12. Battle of Okinawa (April-June 1945)