INTRODUCTION—The Second World War was a conflict whose scale and scope dwarfed all others in human history. In fact, historians, sociologists and psychologists have questioned, examined and re-examined the causes and ramifications of World War II. All have pondered:

® How could humanity commit such vile acts against humanity?

® How could the NAZI, Adolf Hitler, rise to power?

® Why would a nation follow him and involve itself in a campaign of mass murder?

® Had the nation gone mad?

® Was Hitler insane or evil?

This is a two-part assignment Below is an overview of your assignment.

Part I.

This part of your assignment is investigative. You will be provided with hyperlinks (internet documents) to read on the following—

® Reading and answering questions on Adolf Hitler’s

early life. Your answers should be written in a reading journal that you will need to use in Part II of this WEBQUEST.

® Research nationalism—its benefits and challenges.

® Research the Weimar Republic—Why did Germany reject this parliamentary system?

Part II.

Imagine that you and your teammates are members of a team of well-respected international psychologists, sociologists and historians. Review your journal notes and those of the members of your team.

Ø Reflect upon Hitler’s life—What were Hitler’s his aspirations and challenges. Describe what part or parts of his life may have led him to become the extreme nationalist and totalitarian leader he became. In your opinion could any intervention in his early years have changed or altered the direction to which his career took him? Explain. You may also wish to explore his life as a leader and the theme of nationalism by using the Global History Public Policy Analyst

Ø Examine the political setting—As sociologists and historians examine what part, if any, the failed Weimar Republic played in the rise of Hitler and his NAZI party.

Ø Understand Hitler’s motives—As historians examine Hitler’s international alliances and actions. In your opinion was he an irrational madman or was he following a planned agenda? Explain.

Ø Make Intelligent and Well-Informed Conclusions—When done, reflect on Hitler’s life and actions. Was he a madman or something else? Explain.

Present your ideas & conclusions in a power point presentation.

PART 1. Research—

Once you have entered Adolf Hitler’s the web page, click on “His Life.” Read the article. As you read, answer these questions—

Click on http://worldwarll.www4.50megs.com/ahitler.htm

READING JOURNAL—

Adolf Hitler

Information Gathering—Each team member is responsible for reading and answering ALL of the questions in Part I of this WEBQUEST. You can either write out your answers or type them. The information you gain from this part of your assignment will help you to be well-informed and prepared to work on Part II of this WEBQUEST with your TEAM.

1. Describe Hitler’s father’s life—
1. Why did his father change his last name?
2. What type of work did his dad do?
3. How old was his father when Adolf was born?
2. Describe Adolf’s childhood—
1. How was his home life as a child?
2. As a young student, how were his relationships with his peers and his elders?
3. What books and teachers had a great impact on young Hitler? Describe the effect each had on Hitler.
4. How did the death of his father affect young Hitler and his family?
5. Why was art important to Hitler?
6. How did failing the art exam affect young Hitler?
3. Describe Hitler’s early career life.
1. What careers interested him?
2. In which of these fields did he show promise? Explain.
3. In which of these fields did he lack talent? Explain.
4. What challenges and/or obstacles did Hitler face in his career(s)?
4. How did the death of his mother affect Hitler?
5. Why did Hitler go to Vienna?
1. Describe Hitler’s relationship with his friend and roommate in Vienna?
2. Why and how did he become homeless?
3. How did homelessness change Hitler?
4. Why did Hitler become interested in politics?
5. When, how and why did Hitler become an anti-Semite?
6. Describe Hitler’s involvement in WWI?
1. How did this war affect Hitler psychologically?
2. How did this war change Hitler’s political and social views?
3. Why did German generals request armistice negotiations with the Allies in November of 1918?
7. Why did Hitler join the German Workers’ Party?
1. How did this party affect Hitler’s career and social development?
8. How and why was the NAZI party formed?
1. Why was Hitler nominated to lead the NAZI party?
2. How did Hitler’s threat to resign from party leadership affect his political career?
9. Describe the The Beer Hall Putsch—
1. What happened when Hitler tried to stage an uprising in Munich? Explain.
2. How did the outcome of this uprising affect Hitler and the NAZI’s?
10. Hitler’s trial—
1. What was the outcome of the trial?
2. Why was it considered to be a success for Hitler?
11. What elements of Social Darwinism are reflected in Hitler’s book, Mien Kampf? (Be specific)
12. “A New Beginning”—In prison Hitler re-evaluated the NAZI plan for success. How and why did he modify the NAZI plan to take over Germany?
13. “The Quiet Years—1926-29”—Why did Hitler consider these years to be quiet? Why were they one of the happiest years of his life?
14. “Germans Elect NAZIs”—How were the NAZIs able to achieve the impossible and gain national power?
15. “Hitler Runs for President” & “Hitler becomes Dictator”—What events enabled Hitler to become President and, later, Dictator of Germany?

Hitler’s Political Testament.

Return to http://worldwarll.www4.50megs.com/ahitler.htm

Click on “Hitler’s Political Testament.” Read this document which Hitler wrote before he committed suicide. Answer these questions:

1. Who did Hitler blame for WWII? What was his reasoning?
2. Some say suicide is an escape. Was Hitler abandoning his responsibilities to Germany? Explain.
3. How would you describe Hitler’s mental state as reflected in this testament? Explain.

HITLER’S HANDWRITING

Click on this document. http://www.handwriting.org/images/samples/ahitler.htm

Examine Hitler’s handwriting. Answer these questions—

1. How had his writing changed over the years?
2. As a psychologist how would you interpret his writing and its changes? Explain.

Additional Research on next page…….

NATIONALISM VS. EXTREME NATIONALISM.

As you read this article, consider the benefits and problems of nationalism and extreme nationalism.

http://www.bemidjistate.edu/politicalScience/faculty/beech_notes/introir/Nationalism_and_Internationalism.htm

WEIMAR REPUBLIC—

Why did the Germans reject this liberal republic?

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GERweimar.htm

http://mars.acnet.wnec.edu/~grempel/courses/germany/lectures/20weimar1.html

WAS GERMANY PREPARED TO ACCEPT DEFEAT?

Click on these links to examine Germany & the Treaty of Versailles

http://www.schoolshistory.org.uk/ASLevel_History/week4_versailles.htm

http://www.johndclare.net/peace_treaties5.htm

http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/historian/hist_mommsen_02_versailles.html

PART II—

Imagine that you and your teammates are members of a team of well-respected international psychologists, sociologists and historians. Review your journal notes and those of the members of your team. Together—

Ø Reflect upon Hitler’s life—What were Hitler’s aspirations and challenges. Describe what part or parts of his life may have led him to become the extreme nationalist and totalitarian leader he became. In your opinion could any intervention in his early years have changed or altered the direction to which his career took him? Explain.

Ø Examine the political setting—As sociologists and historians examine what part, if any, the failed Weimar Republic played in the rise of Hitler and his NAZI party.

Ø Understand Hitler’s motives—As historians examine Hitler’s international alliances and actions. In your opinion was he an madman given to irrational thoughts and actions or was he following a planned agenda? Explain.

Ø Make Intelligent and Well-Informed Conclusions—When done, reflect on Hitler’s life and actions. Was he a madman or something else? Explain.

Present your ideas & conclusions in a power point presentation.

POWERPOINT—

Ø Presentations should begin with a hypothesis or your team’s theory regarding Hitler.

Ø All evidence that supports your theory should be included with clear details as to why you believe your findings support your hypothesis.

Ø Submit your PowerPoint presentations to the teacher on a computer disc. These presentations will be put in the computer so that each member of the class can read and evaluate your team’s presentation.

Ø Students will be given an evaluation sheet on which they will record their assessments.

PART III.

NAME OF THE TEAM YOU ARE EVALUATING—

YOUR NAME—

Score

______

STUDENT EVALUATIONS

CATEGORY	DESCRIPTION	SCALE 1=Poor to 5 =OUTSTANDING
DEBTH	Evaluate AMOUNT of meaningful information presented in this lesson
PRESEN- TATION	Did it keep your interest? (Was it easy to understand? Was it thoughtful? Was it creative?) Did the team successfully defend their theory on Hitler? (Was the explanation detailed? Did they present enough information to back up their opinion?) How was the quality of the work? (Was it well-written? After reading the document, did you have a better under-standing of their interpretation of history, social psychology as it relates to Hitler? Did the students reference their sources?)
TOTAL SCORE	AVERAGE THE TWO ABOVE SCORES— FINAL SCORE

Scores—Each team is to average the scores they assigned in worksheet one. Write the averages below:

WORKSHEET 2

TEAM MEMBERS CATEGORIES SCORE

Names Depth Presentation Final Score

#1.

#2.

#3.

#4.

#5.

#6.

#7.

#8.

#9.

SOLO ASSIGNMENTS

#10.

#11.

#12