WWII Battles Web Quest
World War II Web Quest
The following interactive Web Quest explores important battles and campaigns of the Second World War in both the Atlantic Theater and the Pacific Theater. You will examine several interactive activities, videos, articles, and images as you complete this Web Quest. Follow the instructions and complete each activity or task as you proceed through the Web Quest. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper and identify each major campaign or battle on the maps provided. Have fun and good luck! This activity is worth 50 points.
The Atlantic Theater of Battle in WWII
A. The Battle of the Atlantic
The Nazis had a devastating underwater strategy they used during the war. Go to the WWII Interactive:
http://www.history.com/interactives/inside-wwii-interactive. Click to explore “North America,” then click on the box in the middle that reads “The U-Boat Peril.”
B. Battle of Stalingrad
As the U.S. was joining the war, Germany was attacking Russia and advancing on the capital city of Moscow. Nazi forces met Soviet troops in the pivotal Battle of Stalingrad, a major turning point of the war.
Click this link to watch a video clip about the Battle of Stalingrad: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/videos#world-war-ii-battle-of-stalingrad. If you do not have headphones to watch the video without disturbing your fellow classmates, go to the following links to read about the battle: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad and http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battle_of_stalingrad.htm.
C. The North Africa Campaign
With much of Europe in the hands of the Axis Powers, Hitler aimed to expand his empire into Africa. Click this link to follow the major battles in North Africa: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/launch_ani_north_africa_campaign.shtml
D. The Italian Campaign
Click this link to follow the major battles in Italy: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/animations/wwtwo_map_italy/index_embed.shtml.
E. The Invasion of Normandy (D-Day):
Click these links to learn about D-Day: http://www.nationalww2museum.org/learn/education/for-students/ww2-history/d-day-june-6-1944.html and http://www.nationalww2museum.org/learn/education/for-students/ww2-history/at-a-glance/d-day-brief-history.pdf.
F. Battle of the Bulge:
Visit these websites to view information on the Battle of the Bulge: http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battle_of_the_bulge.htm, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/introduction/bulge-introduction/, and http://www.army.mil/botb/overview.html.
The Pacific Theater of Battle in WWII
G. The Doolittle Raid
Though American morale was low after Pearl Harbor and the defeat at Bataan, the tide began to turn in the Pacific after the Doolittle Raid. Click this link to watch a video clip about the Doolittle Raid: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/james-h-doolittle/videos/battle-360-the-doolittle-raid and read about the raid here: http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1514, http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=15351, and http://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/h/halsey-doolittle-raid.html.
H. Battle of the Coral Sea
Look at this site to answer the questions below about this battle: http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Battle_of_the_Coral_Sea.html.
I. The Battle of Midway
Click these links to read and observe images about the Battle of Midway: http://combinedfleet.com/battles/Battle_of_Midway, and http://www.nationalww2museum.org/learn/education/for-students/ww2-history/at-a-glance/battle-of-midway-fact-sheet.pdf. Also, watch this video to see real footage from the battle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v4I6RGRW50.
J. Battle of Guadalcanal
See this site for information on this important battle: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-guadalcanal.
K. Battle of Leyte Gulf
Go to this site to learn about Leyte Gulf: http://www.history.com/interactives/inside-wwii-interactive and http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/worldwari1/p/leytegulf.htm.
L. Battle of Iwo Jima
View this site for information on this important battle: http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,NI_Iwo_Jima2,00.html.
M. Battle of Okinawa
Go to this website in order to answer the questions about this battle: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/okinawa-battle.htm.
Mapping (10 Points)
Remember to find and label the locations of each battle or campaign on your maps! Use the following sites to help you with your mapping, if necessary:
http://combinedfleet.com/battles/
http://www.cyberlearning-world.com/lessons/ushistory/ww2/europeantheater.htm
http://www.onwar.com/maps/wwii/index.htm
http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/books/applications/imaps/maps/g5s_u8/
http://www.the-map-as-history.com/maps/8-world-war-II-1939-1945.php
http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007301
Timeline (Extra Credit - 10 points)
If you and your group have time, create timelines of the battles and campaigns in the Atlantic Theater and the Pacific Theater.
Summarizing the Battles (Extra Credit - 5 points)
List the battles of WWII in order of importance with the first battle listed being the most important.
Explain your choice for the most important battle. Why do you believe this is the most important battle? Give specific examples.
The following interactive Web Quest explores important battles and campaigns of the Second World War in both the Atlantic Theater and the Pacific Theater. You will examine several interactive activities, videos, articles, and images as you complete this Web Quest. Follow the instructions and complete each activity or task as you proceed through the Web Quest. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper and identify each major campaign or battle on the maps provided. Have fun and good luck! This activity is worth 50 points.
The Atlantic Theater of Battle in WWII
A. The Battle of the Atlantic
The Nazis had a devastating underwater strategy they used during the war. Go to the WWII Interactive:
http://www.history.com/interactives/inside-wwii-interactive. Click to explore “North America,” then click on the box in the middle that reads “The U-Boat Peril.”
- Why did German U-boats attack Allied ships in the Atlantic?
- How many U-boats and how many Allied ships were destroyed during the Battle of the Atlantic?
- What strategies did the Allies use to eventually win the Battle of the Atlantic? (hint – WWI)
B. Battle of Stalingrad
As the U.S. was joining the war, Germany was attacking Russia and advancing on the capital city of Moscow. Nazi forces met Soviet troops in the pivotal Battle of Stalingrad, a major turning point of the war.
Click this link to watch a video clip about the Battle of Stalingrad: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/videos#world-war-ii-battle-of-stalingrad. If you do not have headphones to watch the video without disturbing your fellow classmates, go to the following links to read about the battle: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad and http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battle_of_stalingrad.htm.
- When and how does the battle begin?
- What is the state (condition) of the Nazi forces by November of 1942?
- When does the battle end? How many causalities were caused by the battle?
- Why was the Battle of Stalingrad a turning point in the east in the European Theater?
C. The North Africa Campaign
With much of Europe in the hands of the Axis Powers, Hitler aimed to expand his empire into Africa. Click this link to follow the major battles in North Africa: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/launch_ani_north_africa_campaign.shtml
- Who were the main generals for the British and the Germans?
- How would you characterize the fighting from 1940 to 1942?
- What major battle took place in October of 1942? What was the effect of this battle?
- What was the name of the operation as American forces join the fighting in November of 1942?
- When and how does the North Africa campaign end?
- After the Allied forces join the campaign, where do they fight their first battles?
- What does the victory in North Africa allow the Allies to do?
D. The Italian Campaign
Click this link to follow the major battles in Italy: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/animations/wwtwo_map_italy/index_embed.shtml.
- Why do the British and the Americans both agree that the Allies should invade Italy?
- Where do Allied forces begin their attack of Italy? Who is leading the Allied troops?
- When do the Allied forces capture Rome? What is the ultimate fate of Mussolini?
E. The Invasion of Normandy (D-Day):
Click these links to learn about D-Day: http://www.nationalww2museum.org/learn/education/for-students/ww2-history/d-day-june-6-1944.html and http://www.nationalww2museum.org/learn/education/for-students/ww2-history/at-a-glance/d-day-brief-history.pdf.
- Who was the Supreme Commander for Allies? British General? German General? What was meant by “amphibious landing” of the Allies?
- How long did it take to plan this landing at Normandy, France by the Allies?
- What was the code name of this secret mission?
- Why was D-Day significant?
F. Battle of the Bulge:
Visit these websites to view information on the Battle of the Bulge: http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battle_of_the_bulge.htm, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/introduction/bulge-introduction/, and http://www.army.mil/botb/overview.html.
- Describe the weather.
- What were the numbers of soldiers lost by the countries participating in this battle?
- How thick was the American line of defense?
- During this German offensive, what happened to the American line? http://worldwar2history.info/Bulge/
- Were the Allies successful in pushing the Germans back through Belgium and reaching Germany’s capital of Berlin?
The Pacific Theater of Battle in WWII
G. The Doolittle Raid
Though American morale was low after Pearl Harbor and the defeat at Bataan, the tide began to turn in the Pacific after the Doolittle Raid. Click this link to watch a video clip about the Doolittle Raid: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/james-h-doolittle/videos/battle-360-the-doolittle-raid and read about the raid here: http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1514, http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=15351, and http://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/h/halsey-doolittle-raid.html.
- What was the goal of the Doolittle Raid?
- What had to happen for the Raid to be successful?
- What was the psychological effect of the Doolittle Raid?
- What becomes Japan’s goal after the Doolittle Raid? This leads to what battle?
H. Battle of the Coral Sea
Look at this site to answer the questions below about this battle: http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Battle_of_the_Coral_Sea.html.
- Why was this battle significant in terms of naval warfare?
- How was this battle a tactical victory for Japan yet a strategic victory for the Allies?
I. The Battle of Midway
Click these links to read and observe images about the Battle of Midway: http://combinedfleet.com/battles/Battle_of_Midway, and http://www.nationalww2museum.org/learn/education/for-students/ww2-history/at-a-glance/battle-of-midway-fact-sheet.pdf. Also, watch this video to see real footage from the battle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v4I6RGRW50.
- When did this battle occur?
- Who are the Japanese generals leading the attack? How many destroyers, carriers, and planes did Japan have?
- Who was the American general during the battle? How many destroyers, carriers, and planes did the U.S. have?
- How did the U.S. ultimately win the Battle of Midway?
- Why was this battle a turning point in the war with Japan? http://www.navy.mil/midway/Midway_Turning%20Point%20in%20the%20Pacific.html
J. Battle of Guadalcanal
See this site for information on this important battle: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-guadalcanal.
- The Landing at Guadalcanal was the first American what of World War II?
- What did the American marines struggle against for 6 months?
- In the end, what key substance was necessary in ending the battle?
- What was the significance of the Battle of Guadalcanal?
K. Battle of Leyte Gulf
Go to this site to learn about Leyte Gulf: http://www.history.com/interactives/inside-wwii-interactive and http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/worldwari1/p/leytegulf.htm.
- What was the goal of the battle?
- For what two reasons was the Battle of Leyte Gulf significant?
L. Battle of Iwo Jima
View this site for information on this important battle: http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,NI_Iwo_Jima2,00.html.
- Of the 3,400 marines in Major General Fred Hayes’ group, how many were left standing at the end of the battle?
- How many Americans were wounded or killed in the battle? And the Japanese?
- Why did one American soldier describe the Japanese as “not on Iwo Jima, but in it?”
M. Battle of Okinawa
Go to this website in order to answer the questions about this battle: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/okinawa-battle.htm.
- How many Americans were killed in the battle? Wounded?
- Why did the Japanese not defend the beaches, and instead dig in to caves in the highlands?
- What was the battleship Yamato’s mission?
- What two pieces of “dramatic news” did the Americans get during the course of the battle?
- What were the Americans planning on using Okinawa for?
Mapping (10 Points)
Remember to find and label the locations of each battle or campaign on your maps! Use the following sites to help you with your mapping, if necessary:
http://combinedfleet.com/battles/
http://www.cyberlearning-world.com/lessons/ushistory/ww2/europeantheater.htm
http://www.onwar.com/maps/wwii/index.htm
http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/books/applications/imaps/maps/g5s_u8/
http://www.the-map-as-history.com/maps/8-world-war-II-1939-1945.php
http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007301
Timeline (Extra Credit - 10 points)
If you and your group have time, create timelines of the battles and campaigns in the Atlantic Theater and the Pacific Theater.
Summarizing the Battles (Extra Credit - 5 points)
List the battles of WWII in order of importance with the first battle listed being the most important.
Explain your choice for the most important battle. Why do you believe this is the most important battle? Give specific examples.