In this lesson on WW2, students come to understand how democracies break down. Using real historical evidence from Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, and the Soviet Union, students identify the warning signs of authoritarian rule and analyze how leaders used laws, crises, media control, and political pressure to consolidate power. This ready-to-use activity builds critical thinking, evidence analysis, and civics literacy—perfect for high school social studies, world history, government, or modern global studies. Ideal for classrooms exploring the rise of dictators, threats to democracy, or patterns in 20th-century political systems.
Grade Level: 9–12Duration: 1–2 class periods
DOK 2
- Scaffolded lesson plan: Includes a printable readings showcasing 5 authoritarian governments in 1930s.
- Printable worksheets: Features the Authoritarian Playbook chart, evidence-matching tasks, and reflection prompts.
- Teacher’s guide: Step-by-step instructional support with model answer.
Skills Developed: - Identifying and citing relevant historical evidence
- Analyzing how laws, crises, and political decisions shift power and weaken institutions
- Explaining and justifying claims about which actions most strongly contribute to authoritarian rule
Perfect For: World History, U.S. History, Government, or Civics units on the rise of dictators, the interwar period, World War II background, or how democracies erode over time.
