Online Class: World War ll

no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
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17Lessons
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42Exams &
Assignments -
1,682Students
have taken this course -
16Hours
average time -
1.6CEUs
Course Description
The political and economic fallout from the First World War and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles did not bring about the lasting peace that was hoped. Rather, the outcome of World War I left the German nation a major power in Europe--and bitter over their defeat. The worldwide effects of the Great Depression had a major impact on the United States, Great Britain, France, and Germany, but the effects were most notably felt in Germany.
This discontent led to the rise of Adolf Hitler, his Nazi Party, and the creation of the Axis. Determined to re-establish Germany as the true superpower in Europe, the Germany military sprung into action, conquering large amounts of Western Europe before many of the neighboring countries could realize what had happened. At the same time, Italy invaded North Africa and Japan began to expand its influence by conquering many islands in the Pacific.
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- Printable Lessons
- Full HD Video
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs

Course Lessons
Lesson 1: Terminology, Part I
Lesson 1 Video A
Lesson 1 Video B : WWII Introduction Discussion
Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete: Assignment 1: What to gain?
Complete Assignment: Auschwitz
Assessment: Lesson 1 Exam: Terminology, Part I
Lesson 2: Terminology, Part II and Course Structure
Lesson 2 Video
Complete: Assignment 2: Personal Interests
Assessment: Lesson 2 Exam: Terminology, Part II and Course Structure
Lesson 3: Setting the Stage: The Fall of the Weimar Republic
Lesson 3 Video A
Lesson 3 Video B : Lesson 3 Discussion
Lesson discussions: Understanding History
Complete: Assignment 3: Nazi Party Rise
Assessment: Lesson 3 Exam: Setting the Stage: The Fall of the Weimar Republic
Lesson 4: Adolf Hitler's Life & Career
Lesson 4 Video A
Lesson 4 Video B : Lesson 4 Discussion
Complete: Assignment 4: Who was Hitler?
Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam: Adolph Hitler’s Life & Career
Lesson 5: The Other Axis Powers: Italy and Japan
Lesson 5 Video A
Lesson 5 Video B : Lesson 5 Discussion
Complete: Assignment 5: Key Axis People
Assessment: Lesson 5 Exam: The Other Axis Powers: Italy and Japan
Lesson 6: Opening Salvos & Germany Starts the War
Lesson 6 Video A
Lesson 6 Video B : Lesson 6 Discussion
Complete: Assignment 6: The Maginot Line
Complete Assignment: The Maginot Line as a Metaphor
Assessment: Lesson 6 Exam: Opening Salvos – Germany Starts the War
Lesson 7: The Phoney War
Lesson 7 Video A
Lesson 7 Video B : Lesson 7 Discussion
Complete: Assignment 7: The Phoney War
Complete Assignment: Stopping the Phoney War?
Assessment: Lesson 7 Exam: The Phoney War
Lesson 8: The Battles of France and Britain
Lesson 8 Video A
Lesson 8 Video B : Lesson 8 Discussion
Complete: Assignment 8: Time Line
Complete Assignment: The Battle of Britain
Assessment: Lesson 8 Exam: The Battles of France and Britain
Lesson 9: The North African Campaign
Lesson 9 Video A
Lesson 9 Video B : Lesson 9 Discussion
Complete: Assignment 9: Why Africa?
Assessment: Lesson 9: The North African Campaign
Lesson 10: The Eastern Front
Lesson 10 Video A
Lesson 10 Video B : Lesson 10 Discussion
Complete: Assignment 10: Stalin and Cold Weather
Complete Assignment: Hitler's Blunder -- A two front War!
Assessment: Lesson 10: The Eastern Front
Lesson 11: The Italian Campaign
Lesson 11 Video A
Lesson 11 Video B : Lesson 7 Discussion
Complete: Assignment 11: Italian Campaign Timeline
Assessment: Lesson 11: The Italian Campaign
Lesson 12: The Pacific Theatre
Lesson 12 Video A
Lesson 12 Video B : Lecture on The Pacific Theatre
Lesson 12 Video C : Lecture on The Pacific Theatre: The Doolittle Raid
Lesson 12 Video D : Discussion on Leyte Gulf
Lesson 12 Video E : Coral Sea and Midway Discussion
Lesson 12 Video F : Discussion on Leyte Gulf
Lesson 12 Video G : Tarawa Discussion for the WWII Pacific Theater
Lesson 12 Video H : Discussion of Iwo Jima discussion
Lesson 12 Video I : Battle of Okinawa
Lesson 12 Video J : Pacific Theater Final Discussion
Lesson discussions: American Involvment
Complete: Assignment 12: United States Involvement
Complete Assignment: Lend Lease Act
Assessment: Lesson 12: The Pacific Theatre
Lesson 13: The End of the War: Victories in Europe and Japan
Lesson 13 Video A
Lesson 13 Video B : Lesson 13 Discussion
Complete: Assignment 13: War Ends
Complete Assignment: Why didn't the U.S. drop an Atomic Bomb on Germany?
Assessment: Lesson 13: The End of the War: Victories in Europe and Japan
Lesson 14: The Horrors of the Third Reich
Lesson 14 Video A
Lesson 14 Video B : Lesson 14 Discussion
Complete: Assignment 14: The Holocaust
Assessment: Lesson 14 Exam: The Horrors of the Third Reich
Lesson 15: The Aftermath of World War II
Lesson 15 Video A
Lesson 15 Video B : Lesson 15 Discussion
Lesson discussions: Another One
Complete: Assignment 15: Israel
Complete Assignment: The Marshall Plan: Preventative Maintenance?
Assessment: Lesson 15 Exam: The Aftermath of World War II
Lesson 16: Prominent Figures of World War II: The Axis
Lesson 16 Video A
Lesson 16 Video B : Lesson 16 Discussion
Complete: Assignment 16: Hollywood
Assessment: Lesson 16 Exam: Prominent Figures of World War II: The Axis
Lesson 17: Prominent Figures of World War II: The Allies
Lesson 17 Video A
Lesson 17 Video B : Lesson 17 Discussion
Lesson discussions: End of Course Poll; Course Comments; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course)
Complete: Assignment 17: American Involvement
Assessment: Lesson 17 Exam: 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

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Time to complete | 6 months |
No. of courses | 1 course |
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This course only
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Includes CEUs |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 6 months |
No. of courses | 1 course |
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Time to complete | 12 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
Certificates & CEUs
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Includes certificate |
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 24 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
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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