- Fundamentals NEW
- Biographies
- Compare Countries
- World Atlas
World War II
Introduction.
More people died in World War II than in any other war. Experts guess that 40 to 50 million people lost their lives. Many were civilians (people not fighting the war). More than 6 million were victims of the Holocaust—a German plan to kill people that they thought were inferior.
Events Leading to War
Hitler next wanted a part of Czechoslovakia where German-speaking people lived. Great Britain and France agreed to let him have it. They hoped to satisfy Hitler so that he would make no more demands. Their plan—called appeasement—was a failure. Within six months Germany took control of all of Czechoslovakia.
Hitler then planned to take over Poland . Britain and France promised to help Poland in case Germany attacked it. Germany prepared for war by making peace with the Soviet Union (which was not yet on the Allies’ side) in August 1939. Germany did not want to fight Britain, France, and the Soviet Union all at the same time.
War with Germany Begins
On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. This began World War II. The Germans used a new kind of attack. They called it blitzkrieg, or “lightning war.” Blitzkrieg relied on fast-moving tanks and warplanes to shock the enemy into surrendering.
After this invasion, Britain and France declared war on Germany. Australia , New Zealand , Canada , India , and South Africa joined Britain on the side of the Allies. But no one could help when the Soviet Union attacked Poland on September 17. Germany and the Soviet Union divided Poland between them. The Soviet Union also invaded Latvia , Lithuania , Estonia , and Finland during 1939.
Scandinavia and the Low Countries
Between April and June 1940 the Germans took over Norway and Denmark . In May they moved into the Low Countries— Belgium , the Netherlands , and Luxembourg .
In mid-May 1940 the first German troops crossed into France. By June 14 the Germans had entered Paris, the French capital.
On June 22 France agreed to let Germans rule most of their country. However, many French people continued to fight the Germans. They were called the Free French. They took orders from Charles de Gaulle . De Gaulle’s headquarters were in Britain.
As France was falling to the Germans, Italy declared war against France and Britain. On June 10, 1940, Italy entered the war as an Axis power.
Great Britain
Hitler’s next target was the island of Great Britain. Starting in June 1940, German warplanes began bombing Britain. However, the British had a new invention called radar . Radar warned the British when German aircraft were nearing. British fighter airplanes shot down many attackers. This battle, called the Battle of Britain , was the world’s first major battle fought in the air.
The Atlantic Ocean
The British also fought the German navy. Early in the war, the Germans sank many of the supply ships that delivered food and weapons from North America. In 1943 the Allies began to use aircraft carriers to protect convoys, or groups, of supply ships. The number of supply ships reaching Britain then increased.
North Africa
Then the German general Erwin Rommel led the Germans to victories in North Africa. In 1942 British forces finally stopped Rommel in two battles at El-Alamein, Egypt. By November 6 the British had driven the Germans from Egypt.
The Soviet Union
After conquering the countries on Germany’s borders, Hitler invaded the Soviet Union. The attack began on June 22, 1941. The Soviet Union joined the Allies soon afterward. The Soviets stopped the Germans on the edges of Moscow (the Soviet capital) and Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg).
War with Japan Begins
Great Britain, France, and the Netherlands ruled many islands in the Pacific Ocean. They ruled much of Southeast Asia as well. With these countries now at war, Japan saw an opportunity to take away their colonies. The Japanese began by taking French Indochina (now Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam) in 1940 and 1941.
Pearl Harbor
On the morning of December 7, 1941, Japanese warplanes attacked U.S. warships at the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii. They sank or crippled eight big battleships, destroyed more than 180 aircraft, and killed more than 2,000 Americans.
The Philippines
Japan also bombed the Philippine Islands, which were a U.S. possession. U.S. and Philippine forces fought until the Japanese defeated them. The Philippines surrendered in May 1942. Japan also conquered Singapore , the Netherlands Indies (now Indonesia ), and Burma (now Myanmar ).
Coral Sea and Midway
End of the War with Germany
North africa and italy.
In November 1942 Allied forces landed in Morocco and Algeria in North Africa. They defeated German and Italian forces in May 1943.
The Allies followed up their North African successes by invading Italy. Soon afterward, Italians overthrew Mussolini. Italy surrendered in September 1943. However, German troops still held most of the country. The Allies took Rome, the capital, on June 4, 1944.
D-Day and Battle of the Bulge
The Allies then moved toward Germany. To stop this advance, the Germans made one last attack on the Allies in December 1944. The Germans lost this fight, called the Battle of the Bulge, by January. In March 1945 the Allies drove rapidly into western Germany.
Germany Surrenders
Meanwhile, Soviet troops pushed through Germany from the east. By April 25 the Soviets had surrounded Berlin, the German capital. Hitler killed himself on April 30. Germany surrendered at midnight on May 8, 1945.
End of the War with Japan
Island warfare.
In October 1944 soldiers led by U.S. general Douglas MacArthur landed in the Philippines. The United States captured the Philippine capital of Manila in March 1945.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Results of the War
After the war’s end, the Allies divided Germany among themselves. The Allies also punished Nazi leaders after putting them on trial in Nuremberg , Germany. They punished Japan’s wartime prime minister, Tojo Hideki, as well.
After the war the United States and the Soviet Union were the most powerful countries in the world. Despite having been Allies, the two countries soon began a long struggle called the Cold War .
It’s here: the NEW Britannica Kids website!
We’ve been busy, working hard to bring you new features and an updated design. We hope you and your family enjoy the NEW Britannica Kids. Take a minute to check out all the enhancements!
- The same safe and trusted content for explorers of all ages.
- Accessible across all of today's devices: phones, tablets, and desktops.
- Improved homework resources designed to support a variety of curriculum subjects and standards.
- A new, third level of content, designed specially to meet the advanced needs of the sophisticated scholar.
- And so much more!
Want to see it in action?
Start a free trial
To share with more than one person, separate addresses with a comma
Choose a language from the menu above to view a computer-translated version of this page. Please note: Text within images is not translated, some features may not work properly after translation, and the translation may not accurately convey the intended meaning. Britannica does not review the converted text.
After translating an article, all tools except font up/font down will be disabled. To re-enable the tools or to convert back to English, click "view original" on the Google Translate toolbar.
- Privacy Notice
- Terms of Use
- DIGITAL MAGAZINE
MOST POPULAR
Second World War Primary resource
Discover how wwii changed society in britain at the time.
This primary resource explores some of the significant events of the Second World War and what life was like on the home front. Discover how WWII changed society in Britain at the time, and the different roles that people had to take on. Why were children evacuated? How did women’s roles change during the Second World War? What was a ‘blackout’?
Pupils will learn about the war effort at home and how air strikes affected life in Britain at the time in our National Geographic Kids’ History primary resource sheet.
The teaching resource can be used in study group tasks for a simple overview of World War II. It can be used as a printed handout for each pupil to read themselves, or for display on the interactive whiteboard, as part of a whole class reading exercise.
Activity: Ask the children to choose one of the areas of World War II discussed in the comic (e.g. the evacuation of children, air raid shelters, blackouts, women at work, The Battle of Britain, etc.) and create their own comic strip specifically about this topic. They could use the resource as a starting point for their own research. Pupils could compare life in Britain during the Second World War, with life at home during the First World War, using our First World War comic to help them. What might the main differences have been?
N.B. The following information for mapping the resource documents to the school curriculum is specifically tailored to the English National Curriculum and Scottish Curriculum for Excellence . We are currently working to bring specifically tailored curriculum resource links for our other territories; including South Africa , Australia and New Zealand . If you have any queries about our upcoming curriculum resource links, please email: [email protected]
This History primary resource assists with teaching the following History objectives from the National Curriculum :
- Know and understand the history of these islands as a coherent, chronological narrative
- Gain historical perspective by placing their growing knowledge into different contexts, understanding the connections between local, regional, national and international history; between cultural, economic, military, political, religious and social history; and between short- and long-term timescales.
National Curriculum Key Stage 1 History objective:
- Pupils should be taught: significant historical events, people and places in their own locality
National Curriculum Key Stage 2 History objective:
- Pupils should be taught a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066
This History primary resource assists with teaching the following Social Studies First level objective from the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence :
- I can compare aspects of people’s daily lives in the past with my own by using historical evidence or the experience of recreating an historical setting.
Scottish Curriculum for Excellence Third level Social Studies objective :
- I can describe the factors contributing to a major social, political or economic change in the past and can assess the impact on people’s lives.
Scottish Curriculum for Excellence Fourth level Social Studies objective :
- I can describe the main features of conflicting world belief systems in the past and can present informed views on the consequences of such conflict for societies then and since.
Download primary resource
Leave a comment.
Your comment will be checked and approved shortly.
WELL DONE, YOUR COMMENT HAS BEEN ADDED!
Customize your avatar.
Time to play!
LEGO® City Arctic Expedition!
Discover magical mayhem in Bad Mermaids!
Huge Roman villa discovered in Wiltshire garden
Sign up to our newsletter
Get uplifting news, exclusive offers, inspiring stories and activities to help you and your family explore and learn delivered straight to your inbox.
You will receive our UK newsletter. Change region
WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
COUNTRY * Australia Ireland New Zealand United Kingdom Other
By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and will receive emails from us about news, offers, activities and partner offers.
You're all signed up! Back to subscription site
Type whatever you want to search
More Results
You’re leaving natgeokids.com to visit another website!
Ask a parent or guardian to check it out first and remember to stay safe online.
You're leaving our kids' pages to visit a page for grown-ups!
Be sure to check if your parent or guardian is okay with this first.
Subscriber Only Resources
Access this article and hundreds more like it with a subscription to Junior Scholastic magazine.
Junior Scholastic Teaching Kits
Teacher-approved stories, resources, and worksheets, courtesy of junior scholastic , the middle school social studies classroom magazine..
The History and Heroes of World War II
An overview of World War II: why the U.S. got involved, what citizens did to fight back, and how people worldwide were affected
Featured Teaching Kits
Teacher-approved stories, resources, and worksheets for teaching about World War II in your classroom, courtesy of Junior Scholastic , the middle school Social Studies classroom magazine
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
This American History play tells the story of the shocking 1941 attack on the U.S. naval base in Hawaii. Accounts from real soldiers help bring this infamous day to life for your students.
Meet the Navajo Code Talkers
During World War II, information could be just as important as weapons. Learn how a group of young Navajo men helped win the war in the Pacific by creating an unbreakable code for the United States military.
Life in the Japanese Internment Camps
While the U.S. military fought overseas, a different battle was happening on American soil, as more than 110,000 Japanese Americans were placed in internment camps. This American History play tells their story in dramatic detail.
Adolfo Kaminsky, A Hero of the Holocaust
Not all the heroes of World War II were soldiers. Find out how a shy Jewish teenager in France risked his life to help thousands of victims escape the Nazis by forging documents.
Want to see more from Junior Scholastic magazine?
Famous quotes from World War II
“Danger gathers upon our path. We cannot afford—we have no right—to look back. We must look forward.”
— British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, December 1936
“Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”
— Franklin D. Roosevelt, in a 1941 speech asking Congress to declare war
“It’s really a wonder that I haven’t dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”
— Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl
“Today the guns are silent. A great tragedy has ended. A great victory has been won.”
— U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, supreme commander of the Allied Powers, after Japan’s formal surrender in September 1945
Key Figures
Four world war ii figures who made an impact.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Roosevelt, who served as U.S. president from 1933-1945, tried to avoid U.S. involvement in World War II but changed course after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He partnered with Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and China to defeat Germany and its allies.
Born in 1929, Frank was 13 years old when she and her Jewish family were forced into hiding in the Netherlands to avoid Nazi persecution. They were discovered two years later and sent to concentration camps, where Frank died. After the war, her father published her diary, which has been read by millions of people.
Adolf Hitler
Hitler ruled Germany from 1933 to 1945 and led the Nazi Party. He sought to reestablish Germany as a leading power in Europe by seizing land from other countries and eliminating European Jews. Hitler killed himself on April 30, 1945, after realizing he faced certain defeat.
Winston Churchill
As prime minister of Great Britain during World War II, Churchill gave powerful speeches and famously resisted tyranny. He is largely credited with Britain’s decision to ally with the United States and the Soviet Union--a strategy that helped end the war.
Supplemental resources that link to external websites about World War II
World War II Photos
The National Archives' collection of more than 200 World War II photographs, organized by topic
The History Channel: World War II
Film footage, interactives, and articles related to the war
World War II Artifacts
An interactive history of World War II told through artifacts and images
Terms and definitions that pertain to World War II
anti-Semitism
discrimination against Jews
concentration camp
a prison or place of forced labor; often a general term that includes death camps specifically designed by the Nazis as mass killing centers during World War II
a part of a city in which members of a minority race or group live, usually in poor conditions
the mass slaughter of millions of Jews and other people by the Nazis during World War II
internment camp
a place where enemies or suspected enemies are held
a member of a political party, led by Adolf Hitler from 1920 to 1945, that was dedicated to German dominance of Europe and the destruction of Jews
Explore Other Topics
Discover other free social studies topics and middle school teaching resources.
The Roles of the Presidency
From Commander-in-Chief to Chief-of-State, the President has many critical roles.
The United States Constitution
Ancient Civilizations
An overview of humanity’s first large societies: how they formed, who ruled them, and how they influenced the world today.
The Civil Rights Movement
Women’s History: The Struggle for Equality
Learn about important women throughout history—including Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Sojourner Truth—and the progress that’s been made in the fight for gender equality.
Real Teens of History
These inspiring teens fought for what they believed in—and made history in the process.
Social Studies Debate Kit
Teaching the art of debating—and how to write an effective argument essay—can help students master critical-thinking and communication skills.
Mastering Media Literacy and Digital Literacy
In an increasingly digital world, being able to navigate technology skillfully and evaluate online resources for accuracy and trustworthiness is crucial.
Teaching map skills can build students’ geography knowledge—and enhance their understanding of the world in which they live.
Middle School Civics
An overview of civics: what it means to be a good citizen, how democracy works, and why staying informed and engaged matters—even as kids.
The Civil War and Reconstruction
Use these features and supporting resources to give students deeper as well as broader knowledge of these key periods in U.S. history.
Immigration
The U.S. is a nation of immigrants, built by people who left their homes to seek new lives and opportunities. However, Americans' feelings about immigrants are mixed.
Empower Your Students to Explore Their World
Discover Junior Scholastic Magazine for Grades 6–8
narvikk/Getty Images (Plane); Illustration by Dave Seeley (Pearl Harbor); Bettmann/Getty Images (code talkers); Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images (internment camp); Courtesy Sarah Kaminsky (forging materials); Hulton Archive/Getty Images (FDR); Anne Frank Fonds Basel/Getty Images (Anne Frank); Bettmann/Getty Images (Adolf Hitler); Fox Photos/Getty Images (Winston Churchill)
- Skip to primary navigation
- Skip to main content
- Skip to primary sidebar
TheHomeSchoolMom
Homeschooling help and encouragement from experienced homeschoolers - find out how homeschooling works and how to start, get tips & ideas for when things need adjusting, read curriculum reviews before buying, learn how online schools work, gain confidence about homeschooling high school, and more.
- Subscriber Exclusives
- Homeschooling 101
- Homeschool Blog
- Deschooling
- Homeschooling Styles
- Homeschooling High School
- Help by Subject
- Curriculum Reviews
- Local & State
- Homeschool Planner
- Meal Plans & Recipes
World War II
Understanding the colossal impact of World War II has never been more vital.
Take a look at World War II by the numbers:
- 2,043 people were killed in Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor.
- Over 100 million soldiers were deployed to fight from over 50 countries around the world.
- 6 million Jewish people were killed during the Holocaust.
- The first nuclear bombs killed hundreds of thousands of Japanese people.
- Over 2,500 American soldiers died on D-Day.
A war with this kind of impact is something for your kids and teens to learn from and learn about .
Challenge your kids to find other "numbers" that tell the story of WWII—the number of American women who went to work in U.S. factories, the number of pounds of butter each American was rationed, or the number of horses used in the war effort by various countries.
To help your kids learn about WWII, you could:
- Watch WWII documentaries and films, such as Ken Burns' The War . (Suitable for some teens. Always preview).
- Talk to people who fought in WWII or supported the war effort on the Home Front. We are rapidly losing our WWII veterans —what a privilege to be able to hear their stories before it's too late!
- Use maps, a globe and an atlas to learn geography as you and your kids learn where important WWII battles and events took place. (Geography through history!)
- Read WWII historical fiction books for kids . (Always preview).
We've got 40+ free WWII resources on this page, and we have even more on our specialized pages for:
- Elie Wiesel
- Pearl Harbor
- Victory Over Japan Day (V-J Day)
Yes, you can give your kids assignments to read about WWII in a textbook, but you can also use these vibrant lesson plans and first-hand stories, photos and documents. You and the kids can access primary sources, learn about important battles, find out about Japanese-American internment camps, discover Navajo Code Talkers, hear veterans' WWII stories, and more.
General WWII Resources
Japanese-american internment, wwii veteran stories, black americans in wwii, women in wwii, code talkers, historic places, lesson plans.
- Y—Young (PreK-3rd)
- M—Middle (4th-6th)
- O—Older (7th-12th)
- T—Teacher Resources
Crash Course World War II (O) John Green covers the why and how of World War II in this video from Crash Course World History.
National WWII Museum: Worldwide Casualties (M,O,T) The National WWII Museum of New Orleans offers a wealth of information for learning about World War II. In addition to the casualty statistics listed on this page, you can find articles profiling veterans and service members, lessons and educator resources, and resources for additional research.
WWII Interactive Timeline and Map (Y,M,O,T) This interactive timeline and map from the American Battle Monuments Commission provides an excellent overview of worldwide events leading up to, during, and after World War Two. The timeline includes articles, photos, and videos related to events and tracks Allied- and Axis-controlled areas of the world as the timeline progresses.
Timeline of WWII Events in the Pacific (Y,M,O,T) A detailed timeline of WWII events in the Asia-Pacific region from 1941-1945. From The History Place™.
Naval History and Heritage Command (M,O) The Naval History and Heritage Command is an association of Naval museums across the United States that collects documents, artifacts, photos, oral histories, and art from the U.S. Navy. In addition to a large online collection of primary sources, the site hosts a vast amount of historical information, where you can research specific topics, statistics, and notable service member biographies from WWII.
WWII Overview (Y,M,O,T) This in-depth WWII overview from History provides a summarized timeline of events leading up to the war, the war in Europe, in the Pacific, and more. It includes photo galleries, videos, and related articles on specific battles, Black servicemembers in WWII, women in the war, WWII propaganda, and tons more.
WWII Library of Congress Primary Sources (Y,M,O,T) The Library of Congress has collected all of its WWII resources into one location, including a collection of interviews following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese-American internment camp newspapers, military maps, political cartoons, women workers in World War II, and much more.
Google Arts & Culture: Second World War (Y,M,O,T) Google Arts & Culture sites are are collaboration of various museums, universities, and other cultural institutions. The Second World War project contains tons and tons of digital exhibitions on special topics, virtual tours, photos, artifacts, videos, and more.
The Einstein-Szilard Letter 1939 (O) Albert Einstein wrote a letter to President Roosevelt on August 2, 1939. The letter culminated in the bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The Manhattan Project: An Interactive History (O) The Manhattan Project is an educational website by the United States Department of Energy's Office of History and Heritage Resources that details the U.S. Government research project that produced the first nuclear weapons used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It can be browsed by Events, People, Places, Processes, and Science.
WWII Ration Book Printables (Y) “War ration books were produced by the United States Office of Price Administration in 1942 when United States officially entered the Second World War. Shortages of essential war materials such as rubber, gasoline, and sugar were initially anticipated, but soon rationing grew to include food as well as fuel and sugar.” Pages of Ration Book 1, issued to the public May 4-7, 1942, are available to print from the Department of History at the University of Delaware.
Ducksters WWII for Kids (Y,M) Ducksters has a WWII page that provides an introduction to world leaders, major events, battles, the Holocaust, Japanese Internment Camps, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and more. Also included are a word search and crossword.
WWII Educational Website for Kids (Y,M) DKFindOut has an interactive, educational WWII page for kids that lets them click and explore different topics using historical photos and stats, while providing an overview of world leaders, Allied and Axis countries, the Holocaust, and other topics.
World War Two and the Holocaust: Learner Guide (M) This WWII overview from the BBC looks at the causes behind WWII, The Battle of Britain and the Blitz, the British Homefront, the Rise of Hitler, the Holocaust, and other topics. Designed for grades 6-7.
Japanese Americans & The Constitution: Digital Exhibition by the Smithsonian Institute (M,O,T) This digital exhibition from the Smithsonian Institute chronicles the stories and experiences of Japanese Americans following the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Included are first-person accounts, historical photos, newspaper clippings, artifacts, and other primary sources for study.
Pearl Harbor & Executive Order 9066: A Lesson on Japanese American Internment During WWII (O,T) In these lesson plans from PBS Learning Media, students will learn about the attack on Pearl Harbor and Executive Order 9066, signed just two months later, which authorized the relocation of Japanese Americans to internment camps. The lesson plan includes videos, historical photographs, and other primary sources for analysis.
Teaching Japanese-American Internment with the New York Times (M,O,T) In these lesson plans from the New York Times , students will use original news coverage, photos, video interviews, and other primary sources to “to investigate the forced internment of Japanese-Americans — and track how the government has gradually apologized for some of its actions over the decades.”
Live Interviews and Q&A with Veteran Pilots (O) OGTA (Old Guys and Their Airplanes) Debriefs are interviews with decorated combat veterans conducted live and allowing the audience a chance for Q&A with the veteran. Aviation artist, writer and filmmaker John Mollison conducts the interviews, which are recorded and posted on the linked page of The Distinguished Flying Cross Society. A total of 8 interviews are planned.
WWII Veteran Stories (M,O) The Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.
The American Soldier in World War II (O,T) The American Soldier in World War II is an interactive, digital project from Virginia Tech that collects, archives, and publishes the thoughts, opinions, and experiences of US service members. You can explore content by topic, search a database of servicemember surveys, find a WWII glossary of army acronyms and slang, and find a large collection of customizable lesson plans on topics like Axis and Allied powers, combat, medical and mental health care, race, gender, and more.
Tuskegee Airman (Y,M,O,T) The Tuskegee Airman were Black fighter pilots who fought during World War II against the Germans. Racism in the United States required these men to serve together in an all Black unit. The Tuskegee Airman website offers history resource links, biographies, and more.
World War II: The African American Experience (M,O) “World War II: The African American Experience begins to document the experiences of African American World War II veterans through audio recorded interviews. . . .The collection includes donated materials that provide information about families, churches, organizations and businesses, especially during the 20th century.” From the University of Kansas.
African American Women in the Military during WWII (Y,M,O,T) “American women have participated in defense of this nation in both war and peacetime. Their contributions, however, have gone largely unrecognized and unrewarded. While women in the United States Armed Forces share a history of discrimination based on gender, Black women have faced both race and gender discrimination. Initially barred from official military status, Black women persistently pursued their right to serve.” These grade 9-12 lesson plans from the Harry S. Truman Library & Museum have students analyze primary sources and investigate the contributions of Black women to World War Two efforts.
Fly Girls (Y,M,O,T) During WWII, women signed up to fly with the US military. The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPS) test-piloted aircraft, ferried planes, and logged 60 million miles in the air.
Women Veteran’s Historical Project: WWII (Y,M,O) The Betty H. Carter Women Veterans Historical Project documents the contributions of women in the military and related service organizations and includes a wide range of source material including photographs, letters, diaries, scrapbooks, oral histories, military patches and insignia, uniforms, and posters, as well as published works. From the University of North Carolina Greensboro.
The Unbreakable Code: Navajo Code Talkers (Y,T) Students discover the role Navajos played in World War II in these lesson plans from Arizona State University. Students study historical aspects of reservation life, read maps to gain understanding, and apply geography to an historical event. Grade 3.
Mission Possible: Decoding WWII Navajo Marine Code (O,T) In this lesson from Arizona State University, students discover how the Navajo language and people played a significant role in the U.S. strategy to win World War II. Grade 7.
Island Hopping: The Story of Ned Begay Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two (M,T) In this lesson from Arizona State University, students study the Navajo contribution to the United States during World War II while following the story of the Ned Begay as he starts out at a boarding school and later becomes a U.S. Marine who learns the Navajo Code. Students will learn how Ned's background and culture helped him survive and become successful in his education and his experience as a Marine. Grade 5.
Native Words, Native Warriors: Navajo Code Talkers Interactive (Y,M,O,T) Native Words, Native Warriors is a digital exhibition from the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian that looks at the lives and military achievements of the Navajo Code Talkers of World Wars I and II. Click through the various exhibition sections to find related teaching and learning materials.
Aleutian World War II National Historic Area (Y,M,O,T) The Aleutian World War II National Historic Area and Visitor Center in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, preserves the historic Fort Schwatka on Mount Ballyhoo. US Servicemen fought the Japanese here. At the same time, the local Unangan people were sent away from the area to internment camps a thousand miles away.
Minidoka National Monument (Y,M,O,T) A National Historic Site that commemorates the Minidoka War Relocation Center in Idaho where Japanese Americans were imprisoned during World War II. The website offers historical information about the relocation center for those who cannot visit in person.
Manzanar National Historic Site (Y,M,O,T) In 1942, the United States government ordered more than 110,000 men, women, and children to leave their homes and detained them in remote, military-style camps. Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of ten camps where Japanese American citizens and resident Japanese aliens were interned during World War II. The website offers historical information about the park for those who cannot visit in person.
Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park (Y,M,O,T) The Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California, preserves and interprets the stories and places of our nation's home front response to World War II.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial (Y,M,O,T) On July 17, 1944, an explosion in the San Francisco East Bay area killed 320 men as ships were being loaded with ammunition for the Pacific. It was WWII's worst home front disaster. Reservations are required to visit this location. The website offers historical information about the park for those who cannot visit in person.
The Mettle Behind the Merit Educator's Kit (T) Steve Pisanos was an ace WWII pilot and the subject of a documentary sponsored by The Distinguished Flying Cross Society. Educators can download a four-part kit that includes a ten-page PDF using the The Mettle Behind the Merit documentary as a launching point to challenge students to define their own dream of success and realize it through intelligent work and positive behavior, a supplementary photo PDF, a PDF of all five of Steve Pisanos’ DFC certificates represented as they were written and awarded by the United States Army Air Force and United States Air Force, and a download of worksheet pages with discussion questions. For a small fee to cover shipping, groups can order a cut-out card of the Spitfire that Pisanos flew (20 or 40 qty.).
National WWII Museum Lessons Plans (Y,M,O,T) The National WWII Museum has a large collection of primary-source-based lessons and activities covering a range of WWII topics, including War in Europe, War in the Pacific, The Home Front, Real World Science, and Liberation & Legacy.
The Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945): Lessons (Y,M,O,T) The National Archives has a large collection of WWII primary-source-based lessons and activities on Pearl Harbor, propaganda, Japanese-American internment, enlistment of Navajo Indians, and more.
WWII Primary Sources and Activities (Y,M,O,T) A large collection of WWII primary sources and teaching activities from DocsTeach that have students analyze Pearl Harbor dispatches, political cartoons, FDR's Infamy Speech, the Einstein-Szilard Letter, and more.
EDSitement WWII Lesson Plans (Y,M,O,T) EDSitement, from the National Endowment for the Humanities, has a large collection of K-12 World War II lesson plans on Japanese-American internment camps, jazz and World War II, war in the Pacific, neutrality, the Holocaust, and more.
North American Battleground of World War II (Y,M,O,T) These lesson plans from the National Parks Service look at the Battle of Midway that took place June 4-7, 1942, in the Midway and Aleutian islands. For grades 5-12.
As featured on
- Create new account
- Reset your password
Register and get FREE resources and activities
Ready to unlock all our resources?
Life during World War II
British people who weren’t fighting in World War II still had a very different life to the one they had before the war. For one thing, there wasn’t as much food around so every little bit had to be saved and used – even if it didn’t taste very nice! And clothes that were too small or had tears in them just had to be fixed and made bigger because there weren’t many new things around to buy. Everyone had to help each other get the things they needed to keep warm and healthy.
Many people – especially children – who lived in cities were evacuated to the country to keep safe from air attacks such as the Blitz .
Bombs dropped by German planes could flatten brick houses in seconds. Can you imagine going to school one morning, and coming back to find your house was gone? Or when packing your rucksack, popping in a gas mask to protect yourself in case of a gas attack?
Farms in the country became busy communities of people who moved in to help use every bit of the land to grow food. They might have moved there because they didn’t have a home anymore, or because they just wanted to help out as much as they could.
Top 10 facts
- During World War II , Britain was called ‘ the Home Front ’ – the war affected people not just fighting in armies on the front lines, but back in their own towns and neighbourhoods.
- All the different plans and ways to help get Britain through World War II was called ‘ the war effort ’. Helping the war effort meant anything from planting vegetables to making fighter planes.
- Because Britain was at war, it wasn’t easy to get food and other supplies anymore. In 1940, a system called rationing was set up which made sure that everyone had a fair amount of food, clothes and things like soap and petrol based on what was actually available. Rationing didn’t end until 1954.
- Land Girls were women from all over Britain who worked on farms, helping to grow and produce food for the rest of the country.
- Not all men went to fight overseas – some couldn’t go and instead joined the Home Guard , which was made up of volunteers ready to defend Britain from a surprise enemy invasion. The Home Guard was created in 1940.
- From September 1940 to May 1941, Britain was bombed heavily by enemy planes. That time is called ‘ The Blitz ’.
- During the Blitz, it was very dangerous to live in cities because that’s where most of the bombs were dropped. So, many children were sent off to live in the country where it was safer. These children were known as ‘ evacuees ’.
- People could protect themselves from enemy attacks by having a gas mask that would allow them to breathe clean air no matter how dirty or poisonous the air around them was after a bombing.
- Loud sirens would let people know that a bomb might go off soon, and that they should run to the nearest air-raid shelter. Bomb shelters were small, strong structures, sometimes put underground, that protected people inside from being hurt during explosions.
- When Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced that the war was over on VE Day , people all over Britain celebrated by holding street parties.
- 1 September 1939 Germany invaded Poland
- 3 September 1939 The UK and France declared War on Germany
- 10 May 1940 Winston Churchill became Prime Minister of Britain, taking over from Neville Chamberlain
- 14 May 1940 The Home Guard was created (The Local Defence Volunteers)
- 26 May-4 June 1940 The evacuation of British and French troops from Dunkirk, France June 1940 – German troops occupied the Channel Islands
- 10 June 1940 Italy declared war on Britain and France, and allies with Germany
- 10 July-31 October 1940 The Battle of Britain
- 7 September 1940 The Blitz begins in London
- 8 September 1941-27 January 1944 The Siege of Leningrad
- 7 December 1941 The Japanese attacked an American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
- 8 December 194 The United States declared war on Japan, and joined with the Allies
- 6 June 1944 D-Day, when troops from Britain and the US landed in France to fight against the Germans
- 16 December 1944-25 January 1945 The Battle of the Bulge
- 8 May 1945 VE Day (Victory in Europe Day), when Germany surrendered
- 15 August 1945 VJ Day (Victory in Japan Day), when Japan surrendered
- 2 September 1945 Japan formally surrendered, and officially ended World War II
Boost Your Child's Learning Today!
- Start your child on a tailored learning programme
- Get weekly English & maths resources sent direct to your inbox
- Keep your child's learning on track
Did you know?
- The Land Girls were part of the Women’s Land Army , which started in World War I but is best known for their work during World War II . One job that the Land Girls had was to kill rats, who were responsible for eating 2 million tonnes of food every year!
- The Home Guard was first called the Local Defence Volunteers .
- ‘ Blitz ’ is the German word for ‘lightning’.
- When an attack is made by planes (so, instead of troops in tanks or ships), it is called an air-raid. During the Blitz, Britain was attacked by air-raids.
- Air-raid shelters were usually about as big as a garden shed. In fact, some are used as garden sheds today!
- Sweets and treats were hard to get during the war. Children would eat carrots on sticks instead of ice lollies! The only sweets that weren’t rationed during the war were cough sweets.
- Rationing continued until 1954 – nine years after World War II ended!
Pictures of life during World War II
Have a look through the images in the gallery and see if you can spot the following:
- The uniform that Land Girls wore
- A poster asking men to join the Army
- A group of Home Guard members
- An underground air-raid shelter
- A ration book
When most of the men in Britain went off to fight in the war, women stepped in to do some of the jobs left vacant. One of these groups was the Land Girls , who worked on farms to grow food, look after livestock and keep the buildings and grounds in good shape.
Not all the men could go overseas, though. Some were just too old or too young, and others had jobs that were thought to be too important for them to leave – these were called ‘reserved occupations’, and included farmers, coal miners and ship builders. Men who stayed in Britain could join the Home Guard, whose main job was to defend the land if there were a sudden attack by the enemy, holding them off until soldiers could get there. There never was an attack like this, but what members of the Home Guard did do was watch over important resources like factories that might have been key targets of an attack, and places like dark fields where enemy troops might parachute into thinking that nobody would see them land. The Home Guard also captured enemy pilots whose planes had crash-landed. The Home Guard was formed in 1940 and disbanded in 1945, and over 1 million men were part of it for most of this time.
Lots of things that people used to be able to pick up in shops around the corner weren’t available during the war. For instance, a factory that used to produce clothes would have been reassigned to produce items for the troops instead. Also, foods like bananas that would have come in on ships from other countries were unavailable because it was dangerous for ships to bring food to Britain. Convoys of ships were used to bring essential food items from other countries but many of these ships were destroyed by the Germans before they could get to Britain.
A system called rationing was set up in 1940 that restricted how much food, clothes and other supplies people could have in a week or month. Each person – both children and adults – had a ration book with coupons in it that they’d hand over to their local shopkeeper, who would give them items their coupons allowed them to have. This system meant everyone got something to eat, and something to wear, even if it wasn’t very much.
The first foods that were rationed were bacon, sugar, tea, butter and meat. This list grew and grew as the war went on, and people got used to making each little bit stretch as far as possible. For example, today you could go out and buy as a dozen eggs and as much milk as you like. But back in war time, people were allowed just one egg per week and three pints of milk per month! People could grow and eat as many vegetables as they wanted, so gardens of all sizes popped up wherever there was space for one – even in parks. Rationing carried on after the war was over because supplies were still low, but gradually items came off the rationing list so things were never as restricted as they was during the war. Rationing ended for good in 1954.
The Blitz lasted from September 1940 to May 1941. During this time, Britain was bombed very heavily in a number of air-raids. Major cities (like London), factories and seaside towns were all targeted because bombing them would cause the most damage – such as destroying rows of houses, production of weapons, or ports where ships carrying supplies would come to.
Loud air-raid sirens would warn people that enemy planes were on the way, and they would need to run to the nearest shelter – no matter if it were the middle of the day or night. Some people had Anderson shelters buried in their back garden, or Morrison shelters in their home. These were strong structures that were built to protect people inside from bomb explosions. In London, Tube (underground) stations were used as air-raid shelters too. Many people also owned gas masks that they could wear to breathe clean air after an explosion.
Because living in cities was so dangerous, mums and dads decided to send their children to the country. These children were called evacuees . This was a really hard decision because nobody wanted to say goodbye to their families, but it was the best way to make sure children stayed safe – nobody knew when the war would finally be over. Many children travelled by train to farms, to homes in the country or to large, stately homes that had lots of room. Some British children even went overseas to countries like Canada . They would write letters about their new adventures to their parents.
Related Videos
Just for fun...
- Try to ‘ make do and mend ’! What would you add to or take away from the clothes for this paper doll?
- Complete some Home Front activities and learn all about life in Britain 1939-1945
- Understand more about rationing with games and flashcards
- Imagine you’re an evacuee. What would you write about your experience in a letter to friends and family?
- Make a list of what you’d take into an air-raid shelter
- Find out about life in the Cabinet War Rooms
- Cook some war-time recipes! Do you fancy Cheesy pudding pie ? Or baked jam and carrot sponge pudding? Or sardines wrapped in potato ?
- Become a spy and gather information about life in Scotland during WWII
- Listen to and watch WWII audio-visual clips from a huge archive including key speeches, eye-witness reports and some of the most evocative sounds of the War on the BBC Schools Radio site
- Remember VE Day, 7 May 1945 , with English Heritage VE activities for children : learn to dance the Lindy Hop, popular in the 1940s, download a VE Day Spotify music playlist, make ginger beer and carrot scones
- Download a VE Day kids' activity pack , with puzzles and recipes, from Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI)
See for yourself
- Visit the Imperial War Museum in London to see what life was like for a family living in Britain during World War II
- At the Churchill War Rooms in London you can see Churchill’s statesmanlike wooden armchair – still visible in its wellworn armrests are the marks clawed by Churchill’s fingernails
- Learn more about the Land Girls at Gresswell Farm and Workhouse
- Visit Chislehurst Caves in Kent, one of the largest deep air-raid shelters in the country which protected over 15,000 people at the height of the Blitz
- Look at WWII posters and propaganda
- Find out about Operation Dynamo, the May 1940 evaculation of Dunkirk in WWII, at Dover Castle
- See photographs of life during the Blitz
- Find out about WWII spies and their operations by taking a walk in London and using the free app Spooks, Spies and Videotape – London's Secret War
Best children's books about life during WWII
Find out more
- Find out about the Women’s Land Army
- Kids' fiction about WWII : read stories to find out more about the period
- Sir Nicholas Winton saved the lives of 669 children by arranging their evacuation from Nazi-occupied Prague in 1939. His daughter Barbara Winton tells his story in a BBC School Radio programme for children aged 7 to 11
- Look at objects from WWII
- Find out more about WWII weapons like doodlebugs and V2s
- What was life like for children who were evacuated ?
- See a map of how London was bombed during the Blitz
- Read a story of extraordinary bravery in east London during WWII
- Find out about the products (chocolate, tights and more!) that America soldiers, G.I.s, brought with them when they came to Britain in a Horrible Histories song
Give your child a headstart
- FREE articles & expert information
- FREE resources & activities
- FREE homework help
| Primary Homework Help Britain Since the 1930s | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| for information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Learn about the causes, countries, leaders, effects and end of World War Two, a global conflict that involved 61 countries and 1.7 billion people. Find out how Britain fought the toughest war in its history and what life was like on the home front.
Learn about the causes, events and consequences of World War 2 with this kid-friendly website. Find out how people lived, worked and played during the war, and how it changed the world.
Learn about the effects of the war on children, such as evacuation, rationing, air raids and gas masks. Read a wartime diary and find out about Anne Frank and other Jews.
On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. This began World War II. The Germans used a new kind of attack. They called it blitzkrieg, or "lightning war.". Blitzkrieg relied on fast-moving tanks and warplanes to shock the enemy into surrendering. After this invasion, Britain and France declared war on Germany.
Check your answers below to find out how you scored on the WW2 quiz: The Second World War was fought between two sides. Name the three main countries that formed the Axis powers. Germany, Italy and Japan. On 26th May 1940, the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of Allied troops from the beaches at Dunkirk began.
Learn about the war effort at home and how air strikes affected life in Britain during WWII. This primary resource can be used for study group tasks, comic strip creation or research on the Second World War.
Learn about the evacuation of children and women during World War Two in Britain. Find out when, why, how and where they were evacuated, and what they experienced.
Famous quotes from World War II. "Danger gathers upon our path. We cannot afford—we have no right—to look back. We must look forward.". — British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, December 1936. "Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by ...
World War Two Books, Links, Films and Videos for Children. The Second World War lasted from September 1939 until September 1945. There were many things that led to the outbreak of the war: The First World War ended with the Treaty of Versailles in 1918. The terms of the treaty stated that Germany had to reduce its army, navy and other forces ...
Top 10 facts. World War II lasted from 1939 to 1945. World War II began when German troops invaded Poland on 1 September 1939. The UK declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939. It was announced by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. While many countries were involved in the war, they each took sides - either with the Allies, or the Axis.
Learn about the main events and dates of World War Two with this timeline. Find out how Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the USA and the Soviet Union were involved in the war and its consequences.
In 1942, the United States government ordered more than 110,000 men, women, and children to leave their homes and detained them in remote, military-style camps. Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of ten camps where Japanese American citizens and resident Japanese aliens were interned during World War II.
This homework pack contains two home learning tasks. Use these brilliant WW2 homework KS2 activities to support children's learning and reinforce knowledge of the topic at home. In the Make do and Mend task children are asked to explore how people adapted and mended their clothes during WW2. They will also learn how shortages influenced fashion. In the World War 2 Crossword task, they will ...
Learn about the main leaders of the Allies and the Axis during World War Two. Find out their roles, achievements, and fates in this comprehensive guide.
Top 10 facts. During World War II, Britain was called 'the Home Front' - the war affected people not just fighting in armies on the front lines, but back in their own towns and neighbourhoods.; All the different plans and ways to help get Britain through World War II was called 'the war effort'.Helping the war effort meant anything from planting vegetables to making fighter planes.
World War Two Books, Links, Films and Videos for Children. People still celebrate the anniversary of the end of World War Two today. Some people have garden parties or street parties where the roads are decorated with bunting and flags. You can make your own bunting at home by following these simple instructions: Make-do-and-Mend No Sew Bunting.
If you're looking for a helping hand with planning lessons on World War 2 for KS2 pupils, then look no further! Our fantastic World War 2 Planning Overview for KS2 is here to help by outlining interesting and fun ideas for KS2 history lessons.This resource includes a wide range of topics such as how WW2 began, rationing, evacuation, key events from the war, the role of women in the war ...
Learn about the two major alliances in World War Two: the Axis and the Allies. Find out which countries fought on each side and when they joined or left the war.
English Writing Reading Spelling Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation Phonics Handwriting Spoken Language and Listening Stories and Poems Morning Starter PowerPoints KS2 Literacy Planning Interactive English Games. Maths Areas of Study Resources Planning White Rose Maths Supporting Resources Ready to Progress Resources Same-Day Intervention ...