Online Class: World War ll
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17Lessons
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42Exams &
Assignments -
1,851Students
have taken this course -
16Hours
average time -
1.6CEUs
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Video Audit
Available
Course Description
World War II: A Profound Exploration of the Conflict that Redefined Humanity
World War II was not merely a chapter in history; it was an era that redefined geopolitical landscapes, human rights ideologies, and the limits of human resilience. While the First World War had indeed set precedents in terms of scale and devastation, World War II transcended those boundaries. With a participation of over 100 countries, and directly involving more than 100 million personnel, it was, and remains, the most extensive war in history.
Advancements in technology during this period were staggering. We moved from horses and bayonets to tanks and jet fighters, from rudimentary grenades to nuclear weapons. The sheer firepower available meant not only larger battlefields but also deadlier consequences.
The juxtaposition of good versus evil, as portrayed by the Allies against the Axis Powers, had an almost cinematic feel. Germany, Japan, and Italy, with their aggressive ideologies and expansionist agendas, posed a tangible threat to the world's equilibrium. And resisting them was no small feat. The Allies, which included major powers like the USA, USSR, and the UK, were pushed to the brink of their resources and resolve.
Why did this war erupt, though? The signing of the Treaty of Versailles, post World War I, aimed to bring about long-standing peace. However, its reparations and territorial changes brewed resentment in Germany. Coupled with the global repercussions of the Great Depression, particularly its severe ramifications in Germany, the situation was ripe for extremist ideologies to take root. This provided fertile ground for Adolf Hitler's rise, subsequently leading to the formation of the Axis.
Germany's blitzkrieg tactics saw them annex significant portions of Europe, catching many nations off guard. Concurrently, Italy made moves in North Africa, and Japan was annexing islands in the Pacific, seeking to establish its dominance.
Yet, the significance of World War II extends beyond the battles and treaties. The war's aftermath brought about tectonic shifts in global politics and strategies:
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Nuclear Age: The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ushered the world into the atomic age, highlighting the potential of human-led devastation.
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Israel's Birth: The post-war scenario facilitated the establishment of Israel, a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern politics.
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Communism's Spread: Many regions in Asia and Europe witnessed the rapid proliferation of communist ideologies.
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Germany's Division: Post-war Germany was split, symbolizing the broader Cold War tensions.
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America's Ascendancy: The US, having played a crucial role in the war, emerged as a dominant global power.
Our course offers an in-depth analysis of these events and more. A breakdown of our curriculum:
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Lessons 1 & 2: Introduce key terminologies and course structures, setting the foundation for upcoming modules.
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Lesson 3 to 5: Delve into the root causes, tracing back to the fall of the Weimar Republic and discussing the major Axis powers.
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Lessons 6 to 13: An exhaustive study of the major battles, from the opening salvos, through Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific, to the ultimate victories.
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Lesson 14: Unmask the harrowing truths of the Third Reich's horrors.
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Lesson 15: Investigate the profound global implications post World War II.
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Lessons 16 & 17: Learn about the pivotal figures on both sides of the war, understanding their motivations, strategies, and legacies.
World War II wasn't just a conflict; it was a transformative period that has shaped the contours of our contemporary world. Dive deep into the intricate web of events, decisions, and consequences with our comprehensive course, understanding the human stories interwoven with grand global narratives.
Course Lessons
Lesson 1: Terminology, Part I
Lesson 1: Terminology, Part ILesson 2: Terminology, Part II and Course Structure
World War II was one of the most significant and far-reaching conflicts in human history, affecting nearly every corner of the globe and reshaping the world in its aftermath.Lesson 3: Setting the Stage: The Fall of the Weimar Republic
The road to World War II was paved long before the first shots were fired. One of the most significant events that led to the outbreak of this devastating conflict was the fall of the Weimar Republic in Germany and the rise of Adolf Hitler.Lesson 4: Adolf Hitler's Life & Career
Lesson 4: Adolf Hitler's Life and CareerLesson 5: The Other Axis Powers: Italy and Japan
The Other Axis Powers: Italy and JapanLesson 6: Opening Salvos & Germany Starts the War
Despite diplomatic efforts by Western nations to maintain peace, Hitler's ambitions made war inevitable. The annexation of Austria, followed by the occupation of the Sudetenland, culminated in the invasion of Poland, which set the stage for global conflict. This narrative explores the pivotal moments that initiated World War II and how Hitler's military strategies reshaped Europe in just a few short years.Lesson 7: The Phoney War
Lesson 7: The Phoney WarLesson 8: The Battles of France and Britain
The Phoney War ended in a blaze of action as Germany's Wehrmacht shifted its focus from Poland and Scandinavia to the Western Front. The lightning invasions of the Low Countries, followed by France, and the subsequent aerial assault on Britain, became defining moments in the early stages of World War II.Lesson 9: The North African Campaign
Lesson 9: The North African CampaignLesson 10: The Eastern Front
Lesson 10: The Eastern FrontLesson 11: The Italian Campaign
As the war in Europe raged on, the successful Allied invasion of Italy played a significant role in weakening the Nazi war machine. The Italian Campaign was crucial for the Allies to establish a foothold in Europe after shutting down access from the west.Lesson 12: The Pacific Theatre
Lesson 12: The Pacific TheatreLesson 13: The End of the War: Victories in Europe and Japan
After nearly six years of global conflict, involving dozens of nations and millions of soldiers, the Second World War reached its final, decisive phase. The tide of battle had turned against the Axis powers. Japan was entrenched in the Pacific, while Nazi Germany still controlled large portions of Europe.Lesson 14: The Horrors of the Third Reich
Nazi Germany's rise to power was marked not only by military ambition but also by a terrifying regime of racial superiority, cruelty, and mass extermination. Led by Adolf Hitler, the Third Reich unleashed a campaign of horror on those they deemed racially or socially inferior.Lesson 15: The Aftermath of World War II
Lesson 15: The Aftermath of World War IILesson 16: Prominent Figures of World War II: The Axis
Lesson 16: Prominent Figures of World War II: The AxisLesson 17: Prominent Figures of World War II: The Allies
Lesson 17: Prominent Figures of World War II: The Allies
Learning Outcomes
- Define World War II terminology.
- Summarize setting the stage for war: The Fall of the Weimar Republic.
- Summarize Adolph Hitler's Life and career.
- Summarize the other Axis powers.
- Describe the Phoney War.
- Summarize the battles of France and Britain.
- Describe the North African Campaign.
- Summarize the Eastern Front, Italian Campaign, and the Pacific Theatre.
- Summarize the end of the War.
- Summarize the horrors of the Third Reich.
- Summarize the aftermath of World War II.
- Summarize prominent figures of World War II.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information
- Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
- Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
- Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
- View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
- Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Student Testimonials
- "The range of topics discussed in this course was very helpful in understanding the 3 main theaters of World War II." -- Gabrielle M.
- "I was blown away by the amount of information given in 17 lessons! I would love to take a class just on the Holocaust. Thank you for putting this together. Very well done ! :)." -- Christianne M.
- "I have loved this course. Mac is so helpful and fun to learn from. He has made learning history fun for the first time in my life. He gives great feedback to my assignments which I haven't really experienced on here before. By far the best teacher in the forum! Thanks so much!" -- Nicola P.
- "This class was extremely educational, organized and very detailed. The assignments were thorough and thought-provoking, and encouraged critical thinking." -- Leigh T.
- "This course is excellent. Mac is a great proctor of the class. His feedback on multiple emails has been really interesting and enjoyable. I would recommend this course to anyone who is interested in learning more about World War II." -- Brian M.
- "I found this class to be very helpful. The structure was effective and did a good job ensuring that I learned, despite being an online course. The structure seemed very effective." -- Chris M.
- "The instructor was very helpful!!!" -- Lisa M.
- "Great course! The video was most help. Also, the professor graded and commented on my tests quickly." -- John L.
- "I felt like I was able to connect easily with this instructor. The feedback from the instructor was very helpful. I enjoyed hearing from him and reading his comments on the written assignments. He was extremely well versed on the subject matter and enthusiastic on all topics included. Thanks for everything! " -- Stacey M.
- "Good instructor." -- Robert P.
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