Social Studies 10 – Conflict and Canada

WWI | The Interwar Years | WWII

Course Description

This course covers multiple Big Ideas from the BC Social Studies 10 Curriculum Framework. These include:

  1. Global and regional conflicts have been a powerful force in shaping our contemporary world and identities.
  2. The development of political institutions is influenced by economic, social, ideological, and geographic factors.
  3. Worldviews lead to different perspectives and ideas about developments in Canadian society.
  4. Historical and contemporary injustices challenge the narrative and identity of Canada as an inclusive, multicultural society.

Course Strands with links

The Content

The course runs for a total of 48 hours. The lessons outlined below are all structured for 60 minutes of instruction time, unless otherwise stated.

The 48 hours DOES NOT include additional time that may be allocated for assignments, tests and optional documentaries, which may be implemented at the teacher’s discretion.

The first and second lesson are free! Individual lessons are priced at $5 or the whole course at $80

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Unit 1 | WWI

At the turn of the twentieth century, WWI was to set a precedent for all wars to follow.  Involving nations from around the globe, the world had never seen a military conflict on this scale.  Beginning in 1914 and lasting until 1918, this event would change the face of the world forever.  Fought primarily in Europe, WWI claimed the lives of over nine million people and was one of the most deadly military conflicts in history.

Some questions that will be explored in this unit are:

  1. What were the major issues and causes of WWI?
  2. Who were the major players, powers, and personalities (both military and political) that shaped the events and ultimate outcome of this epic struggle? 
  3. Which battles helped to shape WWI as the ‘bloodiest war’ of all time?
  4. How did Canada’s involvement help to shape the identity of the country and her citizens?
  5. How did WWI help set the stage for the next tragic global conflict?

Lesson Outline

  1. Introduction to WWI (free)
  2. Causes of WWI | Part 1 (free)
  3. Causes of WWI | Part 2
  4. Causes of WWI | Part 3 (free)
  5. The Beginning of War
  6. The Conscription Debate
  7. Life in the Trenches |  Part 1
  8. Life in the Trenches |  Part 2
  9. Trench Warfare Simulation
  10. Trench Warfare
  11. WWI Battles – The Somme
  12. WWI Battles – Passchendaele
  13. WWI Battles – Vimy Ridge
  14. Animals in WWI
  15. The End of War
  16. The Treaty of Versailles
  17. The Impact of WWI
  18. Dartboard Revision Lesson

Unit 2 | The Interwar Period

The end of WWI marked a shift for Canada; the 1920s brought economic prosperity, new freedoms and technological advancements. While many reaped the benefits of these changes, not everyone did. 

Some of the questions that will be explored in this unit are:

  1. What impacts did the WWI have on Canada during this period?
  2. Was there any progress in the fight for rights for workers, women, aboriginals, and minorities in Canada?
  3. How did the government seek to establish economic security and social justice during the Interwar years?
  4. How do dissent, political activism and participatory democracy play a role in the struggle for freedom and equality?
  5. How did the Great Depression affect Canadians, and how do economic cycles continue to influence our society, politics and economics?

Lesson Outline

  1. Post-war Problems
  2. Life in the 1920’s
  3. Intolerance | Fighting for Women’s Rights
  4. Intolerance | The Persons Case
  5. Intolerance | The Winnipeg General Strike
  6. Intolerance | The Regina Riots
  7. Intolerance | Fighting for Black Rights
  8. Intolerance | Fighting for First Nations Rights | Part 1
  9. Intolerance | Fighting for First Nations Rights | Part 2
  10. Intolerance | Fighting for First Nations Rights | Part 3
  11. Introduction to The Dirty 30’s
  12. The Great Depression | Stock Market Simulation
  13. The Great Depression | Causes
  14. The Great Depression | Impacts
  15. The Great Depression | Political Response
  16. The Great Depression | Canada’s Changing International Role

Unit 3 | WWII

WWII remains the most total and most destructive conflict in human history. It involved all the major industrial countries, wrought unparalleled destruction, and it targeted civilians to an unprecedented extent.

Some of the questions that will be explored in this unit are:

  1. What major military and diplomatic choices of the main actors (Europe and in North America) led to the outbreak of WWII?
  2. Did Canada’s effort make a difference to the emerging Total War of WWII?
  3. Was a Secret War necessary to winning WWII?
  4. How should we remember those who fought for Canada?
  5. Why did Indigenous People fight for Canada, when Canada didn’t fight for them?
  6. Was Canada justified in it’s internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II?
  7. Could Canada have done more to prevent the atrocities of the Holocaust?
  8. What was it like to be in the major battles of WWII?
  9. What are the causes and consequences of a second ‘World War?’

Lesson Outline

  1. Introduction to WWII
  2. Causes of WWII
  3. Who Supported the War Effort?
  4. Was a “Secret War” Necessary to Win the War?
  5. Remembering Those who Fought for Canada
  6. Indigenous Peoples in WWII
  7. Japanese Internment | Part 1
  8. Japanese Internment | Part 2
  9. The Holocaust
  10. Canada and The Holocaust
  11. D-Day
  12. Major Battles in WWII
  13. The End of WWII – Causes
  14. The End of WWII – Consequences

Assignments

  • Assignment 1.1 | Propaganda Poster
  • Assignment 1.2 | Letter from the Trenches
  • Assignment 2.1 | 1920’s Instagram
  • Assignment 2.2 | Intolerance – Analytical Essay
  • Assignment 3.1 | Soldier memorial
  • Assignment 3.2 | Japanese Internment Debate
  • Assignment 3.3 | Resistance Inquiry Project
  • Assignment 3.4 | WWII Radio Broadcast Project
  • Unit 1 – WWI | Sources Tests

Whole Course Resources

Command TermsWord Doc
The Layered Approach to Source Analysis – LEARNING MATPDF