World+War+II+Assessment

Fallon Assignment

And the World Promised, “Never Again”

Essential Question: Has the world learned from the devastation of world conflict?

Background Information:

After only twenty years of peace Europe plunged into a second world war that soon spread to Asia and Africa. World War II was the most costly conflict in history. It also had enormous impact in world politics, shifting the balance of power away from Western Europe into the hands of the United States and the Soviet Union. Finally, like all wars, World War II had purely human dimensions. For millions of people, it was not a page in history, but a daily struggle between life and death.

Goal and Audience:

After the horrors and crimes of World War II became internationally known, the world vowed it would never happen again. But history since 1945 has shown that the international community has stood by, again and again, as similar issues continue to plague the world community.

It is now the spring of 2012, sixty-seven years since the end of World War II, and The United Nations is holding a conference regarding the issues that continue to plague the world since the end of the Second World War. Some of the most pressing issues include, surprise attacks by the enemy, genocide, weapons of mass destruction, prisoners of war, suicide bombers, racial discrimination, and crimes against humanity. You have been invited to the UN to speak on behalf of one the issues that continue to plague the world since the Second World War. Your goal is to thoroughly describe the experiences of the past, the punishments and consequences of such action, address the related contemporary issue that continues to plague the world, and offer a modern solution to once and for all resolve the issue for future generations.

The Task: You will conduct research on your assigned issue to be presented in the form of a prezi. Your prezi should address the issue in the following format. Begin with a description of the issue as it relates to World War II, continue with the penalties faced by the perpetuators, analysis and evaluation of the penalty received in comparison to the crime committed, reveal how the issue continues to plague the world today, and close with your modern solution to once and for all resolve the issue for future generations.

Product and Presentation:
 * Each group member should take the lead on one or more of the tasks listed
 * Each group member should be well versed on their assigned task (no reading from notes)
 * Presenters must utilize your prezi slides to support your individual arguments throughout the presentation
 * Ideally each presenter assigned to an individual task should include several visuals related to that task to enhance your verbal presentation and persuade your audience
 * Please remember your goal is to persuade the audience to feel as you do about the issue and convince them to support your modern solution.
 * Groups should open with a convincing and formal introduction to the UN conference attendees
 * Groups should then proceed to present a description of the issue as it relates to World War II, continue with the penalties faced by the perpetuators, analysis and evaluation of the penalty received in comparison to the crime committed, reveal how the issue continues to plague the world today, and close with your modern solution to once and for all resolve the issue for future generations.
 * Groups should close with a clear and persuasive answer to the essential question: Has the world learned from the devastation of world conflict?
 * Each group must be prepared for and expect questions from the UN audience

Works Cited:
 * Each group is responsible for a traditional MLA works cited page

Mecca Assignment Modern World History World War II

**Essential Question: To what extent has mankind learned from the experiences of World War II?**

Due to the destruction and devastation that occurred during the Great War, attitudes shifted from militaristic glorification to peace and stability. During the interwar period, the League of Nations aimed at maintaining peace through diplomatic measures. However, by the early 1930s, nations challenged the League of Nations and violated agreements by acting aggressively. Soon the entire world was once again facing a world war. When World War II finally ended, the United Nations was established in 1945. The UN would last longer and play a much greater role in world affairs than its predecessor, the League of Nations. Once again, everyone hoped to avoid a future world war.

__Directions__: Students may work individually or in small groups to respond to the essential question. The purpose is to discover whether mankind has learned from the past by comparing to the present. Each student/group should collect data about one specific event or situation that occurred during World War II (Pearl Harbor, atomic bombs, Holocaust, etc.). They should then compare that information to a current event in order to show whether or not mankind has learned from the experiences of World War II. Once enough information has been gathered to clearly respond to the essential question, the group will create a product that will do one of the following:

- Raise awareness about a similar event or situation that proves mankind has not learned and why we it is imperative that we do (inspire action)

OR

- Showcase an event or situation that proves mankind has learned and in what ways the world has improved since World War II (and how do we continue to improve?)

__Product options__: In order to clearly respond to the essential question, students can create any of the following

YouTube video Website or blog Grassroots campaign and online petition (change.org) Letter to the editor/Organize a fundraiser
 * ex. Kony 2012
 * ex. Israel/Iran toward peace
 * ex. Peace in Syria
 * ex. Mauritania help to escaped slaves

*Your group’s product must provide sufficient data and evidence that clearly supports your response to the essential question. It should also be something that has the potential to gain attention outside of the classroom.*

__Grading__: Student was on task both in the classroom and library. Student was respectful during presentations (15 points) Student gathered research about WWII beyond what the textbook provides. (20 points) Student gathered research about a current event that compares to WWII event (20 points) Student created an insightful product clearly responds to the essential questions (20 points) Student’s presentation to class (15 points) Student went above and beyond to inspire action (10 points)

Databases ABC Clio
 * [[image:ABC_World_History.jpg link="@http://databases.abc-clio.com/Multi/"]] || media type="custom" key="6189833" align="center" || media type="custom" key="6189841" align="center" || media type="custom" key="18635540" ||

Ebooks

media type="custom" key="18635336"

Noodletools

Possible Visual Tools for collaboration (you and partner/s can work on this at the same time) Prezi