Britain in World War II

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Britain fought in the most destructive war in history for almost six years. At home, everyone was called on to help in the war effort.

World War II started on September 1, 1939, and ended on September 2, 1945.

It was a global war involving nearly every country!

As you can see in the image above, the war was between two groups of allied countries called The Allies (green) and the Axis Powers (orange).

The Allies

• Britain and other countries that were part of its empire, such as Australia, Canada, and India
• France
• Poland
• United States (joined in 1941)
• Russia (joined in 1941)
• China
• and others

The Axis Powers

• Germany
• Italy
• Japan
• and others

Causes

Begin examining why and how this war started with the following video.

While Germany was trying to take over Europe, Japan wanted control of a large area of the Pacific. Emperor Hirohito of Japan attacked China before the European conflict began (in 1937).

So, World War II was fought on many different fronts worldwide.

In this lesson, you'll get an overview of the war and then focus on Britain's involvement.

Overview

Watch the following video for a brief introduction. Have some paper and a pen or pencil handy, and take notes on the facts that involve Britain.

Appeasement

The British government initially did not want to get involved in another war. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain worked for appeasement, meaning he wanted to give some territory to Germany in exchange for peace.

Horrible Histories shows how well this idea worked (or not!) in the following video.

As you saw in the video, Chamberlain's appeasement idea didn't work well, and Winston Churchill took over as Prime Minister. He remained so for the rest of the war.

Winston Churchill

Churchill was a strong and inspiring leader. He urged the British people to fight hard and never give up.

Listen to Churchill's most famous speech, made to the House of Commons on June 4, 1940.

Churchill allied with Russia and the U.S., which helped win the war.

Dunkirk

Things looked pretty bad for the Allies at the beginning of the war. Many Allied troops got stuck in France, surrounded by Germans, with no escape in sight!

This next video clip tells the story of their dramatic escape.

Battle of Britain

From July to September of 1940, the German air force, called the Luftwaffe, flew over England, dropping bombs on major cities. The RAF (Royal Air Force) took to the air and defended their country.

In the end, the RAF defeated the mighty Luftwaffe. This conflict is called the Battle of Britain.

Hitler planned to knock out the RAF and invade Britain but could not accomplish the first step. It was the first-ever battle entirely in the air — no ground forces invaded England during the war.

First, watch a video about the battle and then watch a video celebrating the RAF.

As you heard in the song, the British fighting force comprised Britons and people from many countries. This war poster shows some different peoples and nationalities who fought for Britain.

D-Day

On June 6, 1944, the Allies launched an attack on German-controlled France. It was the most significant sea invasion of all time: 150,000 men. It happened on five beaches nicknamed Utah, Omaha, Gold, Sword, and Juno.

Meet one of those British invaders, a Scotsman called Bill Millin. Amazingly, he didn't carry a gun but a bagpipe!

The D-Day invasion was successful, and the Allies could drive the Germans out of France.

• What was happening at home while all this was going on?

Home Guard

The men who didn't go to fight in the war helped to keep guard at home in Britain.

Home Front

As you watch this public service announcement, list eight things the people on the home front were asked to do.

• What did the women do while the men were off fighting the war?

They took over men's work!

Although Rosie the Riveter was used in the United States, British women worked similarly in factories.

They took over the work in the fields and forests. Lumberjills cut down trees, and the Women's Land Army cared for the farms. Watch this next video to learn more about these remarkable women.

End of the War

In 1945, the Allies invaded Germany. They had already freed France and forced the Germans to surrender.

The War in Europe ended on May 8, 1945. This is known as VE Day (Victory in Europe Day).

Watch how the Allies celebrated in this next video.

U.S. President Truman said that fighting continued in the Pacific. The Japanese did not surrender until the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

They finally surrendered on September 2, 1945. This is known as VJ Day (Victory in Japan Day).

Watch this final video to learn more about the two days.

Wow! You've learned a lot about Britain in World War II.

Move to the Got It? section to see how much you remember!