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This activity explores the causes of World War II, the role of alliances, and the United States’ path from neutrality to war. Students will analyze a historical political cartoon, examine the rise of the Axis and Allied Powers, and investigate why the U.S. initially stayed out of the conflict. The resource highlights key events like Germany’s invasion of Poland, the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the Lend-Lease Act. It also emphasizes how fear, aggression, and global alliances shaped the outbreak of war, encouraging students to think critically about leadership, national security, and the impact of entering a global conflict. Included in this resource: Do Now - “Waiting for the Signal from Home” 1942 primary source political cartoon analysis with scaffolding questions Causes, Alliances, and Rising Tensions reading passage with corresponding scaffolding questions Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did the United States’ entry into World War II change the direction of the war? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores the rise of totalitarian leaders and the causes of World War II. Students will analyze political cartoons, propaganda posters, and firsthand perspectives to understand how dictators like Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Joseph Stalin gained power. The resource highlights key concepts such as fascism, communism, the Holocaust, and the dangers of appeasement. It also emphasizes how fear, propaganda, and loss of individual freedoms helped lead the world into a global conflict, encouraging students to think critically about government power and human rights. Included in this resource: Do Now - “Rendezvous” 1939 primary source political cartoon analysis with scaffolding questions Rise of Totalitarianism reading passage with corresponding scaffolding questions RAFT Activity: Totalitarianism and WWII R = Role A = Audience F = Format T = Topic RAFT Choice Board RAFT Rubric for students Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: Why was the rise of totalitarian leaders like Hitler and Stalin so dangerous for the world? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores the 1944 U.S. presidential election between Franklin D. Roosevelt and Thomas E. Dewey. Students will analyze campaign posters, political cartoons, and speeches to understand key issues such as World War II, the New Deal, FDR’s historic fourth term, and postwar planning. The resource highlights how the election reflected Americans’ desire for steady leadership during a global crisis, concerns about presidential power, and debates over the future of government and peace in a changing world. Included in this resource: Do Now - Roosevelt and Dewey under the Statue of Liberty 1944 primary source political cartoon analysis with scaffolding questions Election of 1940 reading passage with corresponding scaffolding questions Document Activity (pass or stations) with scaffolding questions Document #1: Election of 1944 electoral map Document #2: Dewey campaign poster Document #3: Roosevelt campaign poster Document #4: Dewey campaign speech excerpt Document #5: Roosevelt campaign speech excerpt Thomas Dewey on the Election of 1944 POV with scaffolding questions FDR on the Election of 1944 POV with scaffolding questions Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did Franklin D. Roosevelt’s fourth election in 1944 lead to changes in how long a president can serve? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores the 1940 U.S. presidential election between Franklin D. Roosevelt and Wendell Willkie. Students will analyze campaign posters, political cartoons, and speeches to understand key issues like the New Deal, defense, and FDR’s historic third term. The resource highlights how the election reflected fears of war, hopes for recovery, and a changing role for the presidency in a time of global crisis. Included in this resource: Do Now - “All Eyes on Uncle Sam” 1940 primary source political cartoon analysis with scaffolding questions Election of 1940 reading passage with corresponding scaffolding questions Document Activity (pass or stations) with scaffolding questions Document #1: Election of 1940 electoral map Document #2: Roosevelt campaign poster Document #3: Willkie campaign poster Document #4: Willkie campaign speech excerpt Document #5: Roosevelt campaign speech excerpt Wendell Willkie on the Election of 1940 POV with scaffolding questions FDR on the Election of 1940 POV with scaffolding questions Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: Why did FDR’s third-term victory in the 1940 election lead to a change in the U.S. Constitution? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores the role of the United States in World War II from 1941 to 1945. Students will examine why the U.S. entered the war after the attack on Pearl Harbor, how American forces contributed to key battles in Europe and the Pacific, and how life changed on the home front. The resource highlights topics like the D-Day invasion, island hopping, the use of propaganda, women in the workforce, and the contributions of groups like the Tuskegee Airmen and Navajo Code Talkers. The activity also covers the end of the war, the dropping of the atomic bombs, and how World War II transformed the U.S. into a global superpower and inspired social change at home. Included in this resource: Do Now - “Someone Talked!” 1942 primary source political cartoon analysis with scaffolding questions Document Activity (pass or stations) with scaffolding questions Document #1: Why did the US join the war? Document #2: The War in Europe and the Pacific Document #3: Life on the Home Front Document #4: The End of the War Document #5: How the War changed America Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did WWII change life in the United States after the war ended? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores the key events and impact of World War II from 1939 to 1945. Students will examine the rise of dictators, the attack on Pearl Harbor, life on the American home front, the Holocaust, and the war’s turning points in both Europe and the Pacific. The activity also covers how the war ended, the use of atomic bombs, and how World War II reshaped the global order and set the stage for the modern world. Included in this resource: Supreme Court Case Spotlight analysis with scaffolding questions Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores life in the 1940s, a decade shaped by World War II, major changes on the American homefront, and the early push for civil rights. Students will learn about key events like the war effort, the role of women, the creation of the United Nations, and the use of the atomic bomb. The activity also highlights how the 1940s set the stage for future movements and technological advances, encouraging students to connect the past with the world they live in today. Included in this resource: Supreme Court Case Spotlight analysis with scaffolding questions Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores the Supreme Court’s 1949 decision in Wolf v. Colorado, where Dr. Julius Wolf challenged evidence obtained by police without a search warrant. The Court ruled that the Fourth Amendment’s protections against unreasonable searches and seizures applied to states through the Fourteenth Amendment, but did not require states to exclude illegally obtained evidence from trials. This ruling set the stage for future decisions clarifying individual constitutional protections against illegal searches. Included in this resource: Supreme Court Case Spotlight analysis with scaffolding questions Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores the Supreme Court’s 1948 decision in Shelley v. Kraemer, where the Shelley family faced legal challenges after purchasing a home in a racially restricted neighborhood. The Court unanimously ruled that enforcing racial restrictive covenants violated the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal protection clause. This landmark ruling was a crucial step toward ending housing segregation and reinforced constitutional protections against racial discrimination. Included in this resource: Supreme Court Case Spotlight analysis with scaffolding questions Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores the Supreme Court’s 1947 decision in Adamson v. California, where Clarence Adamson was convicted after refusing to testify and his silence was used against him. The Court held (5–4) that the Fifth Amendment’s protection against self-incrimination did not apply to the states via the Fourteenth Amendment, allowing California to penalize his silence. This ruling limited the incorporation of the Bill of Rights against state governments and sparked debate over which federal rights bind the states. Included in this resource: Supreme Court Case Spotlight analysis with scaffolding questions Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores the Supreme Court case United States v. Ballard (1944), which tested whether the government could charge someone with fraud for claiming religious visions. The Court ruled that jurors must decide if Ballard sincerely believed his own spiritual messages, not whether those messages were objectively true. This decision protects religious freedom under the First Amendment by making sincerity—not truth—the key for faith-based claims. Included in this resource: Supreme Court Case Spotlight analysis with scaffolding questions Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores the Supreme Court case International Shoe Co. v. Washington (1945), which tested whether a state could require a company to follow its laws—even if the company wasn’t physically located there. The Court ruled in favor of Washington, saying a business must follow a state’s rules if it has enough connection to that state. This case created the “minimum contacts” rule, which still affects how businesses are taxed and where they can be sued today, especially in the digital age. Included in this resource: Supreme Court Case Spotlight analysis with scaffolding questions Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores the Supreme Court case Smith v. Allwright (1944), which tested whether states could exclude Black voters from primary elections. The Court ruled in favor of Lonnie E. Smith, saying it was unconstitutional to deny someone the right to vote based on race, even in a party-run primary. This case became a major step toward protecting voting rights for African Americans and helped lay the groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement by challenging racial discrimination in the democratic process. Included in this resource: Supreme Court Case Spotlight analysis with scaffolding questions Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores the Supreme Court case Korematsu v. United States (1944), which tested whether the government could force Japanese Americans into internment camps during wartime. The Court ruled against Fred Korematsu, saying national security could justify limits on individual rights. This case is now viewed as a warning about how fear and discrimination can lead to injustice, and it sparked later efforts to protect civil rights and prevent similar actions in the future. Included in this resource: Supreme Court Case Spotlight analysis with scaffolding questions Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores the Supreme Court case West Virginia v. Barnette (1943), which tested if students could be forced to say the Pledge. The Court ruled in favor of the Barnette family, saying the government can’t force people to speak against their beliefs. This case strengthened First Amendment rights to free speech and religion. Included in this resource: Supreme Court Case Spotlight analysis with scaffolding questions Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores the Supreme Court case Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire (1942), which tested whether all speech is protected by the First Amendment. The Court ruled against Walter Chaplinsky, saying that “fighting words” — speech likely to cause violence — are not protected. This case was important because it set limits on free speech and showed that some expressions can be restricted to maintain public order. Included in this resource: Supreme Court Case Spotlight analysis with scaffolding questions Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores the Supreme Court case Cantwell v. Connecticut (1940), which tested whether states could limit religious expression through permit laws and restrictions on speech. The Court ruled in favor of Newton Cantwell, saying that requiring a permit to share religious beliefs violated the First Amendment. This case was important because it marked the first time the Supreme Court applied the First Amendment’s protections of religious freedom and free speech to state laws, showing how the Constitution’s guarantees of individual rights were expanding through the 14th Amendment. Included in this resource: Supreme Court Case Spotlight analysis with scaffolding questions Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores the Supreme Court case Minersville School District v. Gobitis (1940), which tested whether public schools could require students to salute the flag even if it violated their religious beliefs. The Court ruled in favor of the school, prioritizing national unity over individual rights. This decision sparked backlash and was later overturned, showing how the Constitution’s protections of religious freedom have evolved over time. Included in this resource: Supreme Court Case Spotlight analysis with scaffolding questions Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

Students explore how New Deal alphabet agencies helped Americans during the Great Depression and changed how people viewed the government’s role. Activities include gency card analysis to understand how programs like the CCC, WPA, and FDIC provided jobs, relief, and security. Students will examine each agency’s purpose and impact to analyze how New Deal reforms shaped modern expectations of government support. ★ Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

Students explore how the 1936 presidential election reflected growing support for the New Deal during the Great Depression. Activities include quote, map, and photo analysis to understand how Franklin D. Roosevelt’s message of continued government action and social reform appealed to millions of struggling Americans. Students will examine campaign posters, political cartoons, and primary source speeches to analyze how FDR’s landslide victory over Alf Landon reshaped expectations of government responsibility, reinforced New Deal policies, and defined a new era of presidential leadership. Included in this resource: Do Now - “New Deal Spending” 1936 primary source political cartoon analysis with scaffolding questions Election of 1936 reading passage with scaffolding questions Election of 1936 primary and secondary source documents analysis with scaffolding questions Election of 1936 electoral map Roosevelt campaign poster Landon campaign poster Landon campaign speech excerpt Roosevelt campaign speech excerpt Alf Landon on the Election of 1936 POV with scaffolding questions Franklin D. Roosevelt on the Election of 1936 POV with scaffolding questions Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did the results of the 1936 election impact the future role of the federal government in Americans’ lives? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ★ Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.