War Crimes:  Exploring Issues of Justice and Humanity in War

 

History 12 Library Research Unit

 

World War II was a “total war”.  It impacted not only the lives of soldiers and prisoners of war, but civilians as well.  During WWII, an estimated 2/3 of all casualties were civilian.  Estimates range anywhere from 17 to 30 million civilian casualties.  War itself also begs several questions:  Are there rules for war?  Who makes the rules?  Who enforces them?  What happens if rules are not followed?  What exactly constitutes a war crime?

 

In this assignment, you will explore the issue of war crimes with reference to World War II incidents.  You will use PowerPoint to present your information to the rest of the class based on one of the following events:

 

1. The Blitz (German aerial  bombardment of London)
2. The Atomic Bombs (Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan)
3. The Bombing of Dresden, Germany
4. The Holocaust
5. The Nanking Massacre (China)
6. The Katyn Forest Massacre (Poland)
7. Fire Bombing of Tokyo, Japan

 

The Assignment

 

Step One:  As a group, come up with a definition of a war crime.

 

Step Two:  Research your specific topic, using the note-taking forms provided.  Be sure to include the following information:

1. Who was involved in the event?
2. When did the event take place?
3.  Where did the event take place?
4. Is there any background information necessary for understanding the topic?
5. What reasons were given for the action (if any)?
6. How many casualties were there?
7. What was the reaction (if any) of the international community?
8. Was there a post-war consequence for those that committed the action? (e.g. trials, imprisonment)

 

Step Three:  While completing your research, you must find the following:

1. Two (at least) primary documents to include in your presentation.  These can be speeches, quotations, photographs, etc.
2. A map detailing the location of the event.

 

Step Four:  As a group, draw conclusions based on the event.

1. Does this event violate your group’s definition of a war crime?  Explain.
2.  Does this event violate any rules of war that existed prior to World War II?
3. How should the international community respond to war crimes or crimes against humanity?

 

Step Five:  Create a Works Cited (MLA Style).  Use EasyBib.   Groups that do not submit note-taking forms and a Works Cited will not receive a grade for the project.  Use a variety of sources (books, web sites, online databases,…).  Check out the recommended web sites on the Library Home Page:  www.hsslibrary.com

Use the EBSCO/Gale databases (Click on the Alexandria and Online Services link.).

 

Step Six:  Create your PowerPoint presentation to present to the class.

 

 

 

 

Organization of PowerPoint Presentation

 

Slide 1:  Title page

Slide 2:  War crime definition

Slide 3:  Who?  Where?  When?

Slide 4:  Map

Slides 5-6:  What happened?

Slides 7-8:  International reaction and consequences

Slides 9-10:   Primary sources (Why did you choose these sources?)

Slide 11:  Does this fit your definition of a war crime?

Slide 12:  Did it violate any existing rules of war?

Slide 13:  Personal reflection

 

There should be a “balance” of visuals and text in your presentation.

 

Requirements

 

1. PowerPoint presentations are to be placed in your teacher’s “hand in folder”.
2. Submit your note-taking forms and Works Cited (stapled together)

Websites

Resource Development in British Columbia    Social Studies 10

 

Introduction

 

In groups of 3-4, you will research and prepare a PowerPoint presentation on one of BC’s economic activities:

 

1. Forestry (clear-cutting, hand logging, single plank removal, saw-milling, pump, silviculture)

 

2. Mining (underground mining, open-pit mining)

 

3. Fisheries (spear fishing, driftnet fishing, dip-net fishing)

 

4. Agriculture (land use, crops, products)

Assignment

 

History (2-3 slides)

 

Present Day

 

Practices (3-4 slides) (examples of practices above)

Transportation (2-3 slides)

Human Impact (3-4 slides) (environment issues)

Importance of Industry (number of people employed, revenue, GDP,...) (2 slides)

Works Cited (1 slide)

 

 Presentation

 

The PowerPoint presentation should include both text and visuals (illustrations, photographs, graphs, charts, maps, tables, etc.)

 

Complete a Works Cited (list of sources used for research)    Use EasyBib to complete your Works Cited. 

Use MLA Note-Taking Forms.  You will need to complete one form for each source you use.  Record Source Information and show evidence of note-taking. What your write should be in your own words and your own style.

 

Web Sites