Year 5 Topic Wednesday 29.04.20

Learning: To identify and understand the key figures from World War Two.

Today we want you to make a fact file for the key figures during World War II. You can make your fact file anyway you like, for example it could be a poster or a PowerPoint. Below is some basic information on the key figures but you will need to do some of your own research to make great fact files.

Adolf Hitler

We know Hitler rose to power in 1933. He ruled Germany for 12 years and in this time, millions of people were killed. He is considered one of the most hated men in history. As a boy, Hitler was very clever and well behaved. It was after he lost his brother to measles that a change became apparent. Hitler became depressed and would fight people around him.

Hitler was involved in and actually received an award for his bravery.

After World War I, Hitler became leader of the Nazi party in Germany. Hitler rose to complete power in Germany and began invading as much land in Europe as he could. When he invaded Poland on 1st , Britain and France declared war on Germany.

Hitler and his armies started the war very successfully but due to Hitler's actions, even some of his own men turned against him. Realising he had lost the war and many people were against him, Hitler committed suicide on 30.4.45.

Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill first became involved in politics in 1900 when he join the . He did not like the way of the party and so in 1904 left to join the liberal party who went on to win the election in 1905.

Churchill became unpopular due to his support for people who many did not like. This meant his warning of War and advice to build a stronger army were ignored.

Neville Chamberlain resigned as prime minister in 1940 and Churchill took over the role. Churchill's popularity increased rapidly during the War. He worked hard to give Britain the best chance of winning and held many meeting with other leaders to do this.

He was seen as one of the people. He did not hide away and actually stayed in London during the bombings along with all of those who suffered.

After the war, Churchill was not re-elected however he did remain a key figure in politics.

Winston Churchill died on 24th January 1965.

The British Royal Family

The royal family were key figures in WWII, mainly due to their successful efforts to keep morale high at such a devastating time.

When war broke out in 3rd September 1939 King George VI was three years into his reign. He became King unexpectedly following the of his brother, King Edward VIII, in 1936. (When King died in January 1936, his eldest son Edward became King. But in less than a year he gave up the throne in order to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson, and his younger brother, George had to take over being King.) During the war, King George VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth remained in . They sent their daughters, Princess Elizabeth (our current Queen) and Princess Margaret, to for safety.

The King and Queen visited many affected areas in and around London to show their care for them.

King George founded the George medal and George Cross to honour "acts of heroism performed both by male and female persons especially during the present war." King George VI died on February 6 1952.

Good luck making your own fact files. We look forward to seeing some as soon as possible.