The Last Days of World War II History Channel

Product Description The Last Days of WWII The Last Days of WWII chronicles the unrelenting Allied advance through Europe that finally crushed Hitler’s Third Reich. First-hand footage and expert commentary follow the decisive ground battles and strategic bombing missions from D-Day through the capture of Berlin. It also examines the after-effects of the war, from the wrenching drama of the Nuremberg Trials to the revelations of the Nazis’ last, desperate acts, including their attempts to hide looted treasures and develop secret weapons. The Last Days of WWII would be useful for classes on European History, American History, Geography, Military History and Ethics. It is appropriate for middle school and high school. Death of the Reich In ten days of bloody fighting in the Ardennes forest, the fate of the war in Europe was sealed. The Battle of the Bulge left the Wehrmacht in tatters and the road to Berlin clear for the advancing British and American forces. For six months, the Germans staved off the inevitable, despite incessant bombing and the surrender of over a quarter of a million soldiers. But, by May of 1945, the Soviet flag flew over Berlin, Hitler was dead, and the war was over. Vocabulary • autopsy • capitulation • debacle • decimated • exploit • fanatical • goose step • guerilla • incendiary • Luftwaffe • paranoid • Reich • retrospect • sabotage • sniper • vagabond Discussion Questions 1. In war, “to the victor belong the spoils.” What are the spoils of war? What does this phrase mean? 2. In December 1944, Hitler moved the bulk of his forces from the eastern front to the western front. Why did Hitler do this? What did he hope to achieve? 3. The Battle of the Bulge was one of the decisive battles of WWII. Why did the Germans lose this battle? How did this loss contribute to the final outcome of WWII? 4. As the Red Army invaded Germany, it went on a rampage of destruction and looting. Why did the Red Army feel justified in the plunder of Germany? 5. Allied forces destroyed the city of Dresden, causing the death of over 100,000 civilians. Why did the Allied forces do this? What did they accomplish by killing civilians? Are there any rules in war about the conduct of armies? 6. When Berlin and Germany were about to fall to the Allied forces, Hitler insisted to the people of Germany that victory was in sight. Why did Hitler say this when it was obviously not true? 7. Every nation uses propaganda during wartime. What is propaganda? How do you recognize propaganda? What is the role of propaganda in wartime? 8. Hitler’s death camps killed over 10 million people. How was it possible that these camps were secret? 9. General Eisenhower insisted that the liberation of the death camps be photographed and witnessed. Why did he think this was so important? How did Eisenhower’s predictions come true? 10. Why did Hitler commit suicide? Extended Activities 1. Imagine that you are a soldier during WWII. Write a letter home to your family describing the war and your experiences. 2. On a map of Europe, trace the path of the Allied invasion from Normandy to Berlin. 3. Create a timeline that chronicles the major events of WWII. Justice at Nuremberg In the months that followed the end of WWII, many horrific revelations came to light, but it was not until the Nuremberg trials that the full breadth of Nazi atrocities was revealed. Through 200 days of gripping testimony, the world watched as the inner workings of the Third Reich were exposed in the final accounting of Hitler's crimes against humanity. Vocabulary • apathetic • ascertain • atrocities • communiqué • concessions • dais • degradation • delegation • eloquent • fiasco • genocide • gregarious • incongruous • indictment • jurisdiction • malignant • precarious • refute • succumb Discussion Questions 1. The Allied forces insisted that Germany surrender unconditionally. What is meant by an unconditional surrender? Why did the Allied forces insist on an unconditional surrender? 2. WWII has b