Lesson



**SOL: USII.6a, WHII.12a, VUS.8b, UVS.11a, VUS.11b**


 * Objective: The student will understand, apply, and assess the impact of the assembly line in the World War 2 context**


 * Time Needed: 10 Minutes**

World War 2 was fought by man and machines. The development of new technologies and war equipment often meant success or failure on the battle field. Although aircraft was used during the First World War, how the plane was used had changed significantly. The new planes were capable of leveling entire cities and sink ships. At the beginning of the war the Axis powers, consisting of Germany, Japan, and many other smaller nations had an advantage in the number and quality of planes as they spent many years getting ready for the war. After the British retreat at Dunkirk in 1940, the future of Western Civilization rested on a small number of planes to defend Great Britain from the German takeover of the European Continent. As America entered the war a year later, building planes, and building them quickly was critical. The assembly line was an effective way of building planes by individuals with little or no skills. As men were drafted into the war effort, women and minorities made great contribution to the war effort my manning the assembly lines.


 * Materials**

8.5x11 printer paper individual models markers/pencils











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 * Group Roles**

9 Line Workers 1 Quality Control 1 Test Pilot


 * Debriefing Questions**

1. How did you feel about working on an assembly line?. b. c. d. e.

2. What are the advantages of assembly lines (workers, war effort)? a. b. c. d.

3. What are disadvantages of assembly lines? (workers, war effort)? a. b. c. d.

4. How can the process be improved? a. b. c.


 * If time permits, run the experiment individually and record the results**