Britain and World War II
KEY QUESTIONS:
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How did Britain resist and contribute to the defeat of Germany in the Second World War? |
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How did the war change life in Britain? |
AQA SYLLABUS CONTENT:
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The BEF in Europe, 1939-40; Dunkirk; Battle of Britain; Battle of the Atlantic; D-Day and the defeat of Germany. |
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Evacuation; conscription; censorship and propaganda; the Blitz and air-raid precautions; Internment; the role of women; rationing and the effects of submarine warfare. |
Contents:
The 'Home Front'
Britain in World War II
Links:
Study the topic through films!
These four classic films will give you a great insight:
Britain in World War II
History Learning Site (excellent)
A
Chronology of the period with hyperlinks
BBC site: excellent
Maps of World War II campaigns (detailed)
Battle of Britain site: excellent
Hannah Hatfield's Spirit of Normandy prize-winning work on D-Day!
The 'Home Front'
The Imperial War Museum site is good on Civilians and has a very simple site on the Home Front
Essays on the Home Front by Joanne Oliver and Laura Cleland - must-read pieces!
Civvy Street in World War II (Tom Fletcher's memories) - wonderful site!
Collected memories
a. The best way to understand the home front during World War Two is to watch Hope and Glory (trailer), John Boorman's autobiographical film of life during the war from through (his own) child's eyes.
Buy it from Tesco here.
b. Mrs Lindley - School Air-raids Barrage balloon Sheffield Blitz Land Girls
c. Mrs Horton - War breaks out Preparing Air-raids War production Lodgers Rationing
d. Mrs Topping - American soldiers Sweet rations Air-raids War work Children
e. Marion Clare - Blackout Rationing Air-raids War work Love
f. Joyce Hardaker - War work Rationing
g. Brenda Wood - Gas Masks Blackout Rationing Air-raids Canadian hero VE Day
h. Thelma Hall - My War Starts. School. Rationing. Gas Masks. Clothes. Air Raids and Shelters.
i.
Memories on video - very accessible
j. Blackpool memories - old people talking: fab!
Brilliant BBC audio-clips from the war
A Socialist view of the war - argues that some sacrificed more than others to win the war
In this module you will learn about:
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The Day War Broke Out
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Evacuation |
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Conscription |
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The Blitz |
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Rationing
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The Phoney War |
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Dunkirk |
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The Battle of Britain |
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The Battle of the Atlantic |
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D-Day |