The aim of this eight-lesson bundle is to cover the origins and outbreak of the Second World War, exploring Hitler’s foreign policy, the reactions of the major powers and the events that led to war in September 1939.

Students begin by examining Hitler’s aims and foreign policy before exploring how Britain, France, the USA and Russia reacted to his actions. They then follow the key events leading to war, including German rearmament, the reoccupation of the Rhineland, the Anschluss with Austria, the Sudeten Crisis and the Nazi-Soviet Pact.

The final lesson brings these events together, challenging students to evaluate why the Second World War broke out in 1939 and how far Hitler’s actions, appeasement and the weaknesses of international cooperation contributed to the conflict.

The bundle includes a range of activities to develop students’ knowledge, encourage historical analysis and help them reach their own judgements. Suggested teaching strategies, retrieval practice and differentiated learning tasks are included throughout.

There are also opportunities to practise typical AQA GCSE exam questions, including source analysis, write an account and the longer 16-mark judgement questions with the additional 4-mark question. The final lesson includes further exam practice, with guidance and examples of how to approach the questions.

The eight lessons are organised as follows:
Lesson 1: Hitler’s Aims and Foreign Policy
Lesson 2: Reactions to Hitler’s Foreign Policy
Lesson 3: The Road to War and German Rearmament
Lesson 4: Reoccupation of the Rhineland (free resource)
Lesson 5: The Anschluss
Lesson 6: The Sudeten Crisis
Lesson 7: The Nazi-Soviet Pact
Lesson 8: Why Did the Second World War Break Out?

The resource includes suggested teaching strategies, retrieval practice and differentiated materials.

All lessons come in PowerPoint format, allowing teachers to adapt and change the resources to suit their own classes.

Any reviews would be gratefully received.