Freedom and justice

Preparation and Planning

Episode 3 involves splitting the class into two groups for them to participate in a debate. Students should be mindful to conduct their debate in a sensible and non-offensive manner. All students should be afforded the opportunity to speak and similarly all students should afford others the right to speak (without shouting over / interrupting classmates).

About the MOD Topic

The Battle of Britain took place between August and September 1940. After early German successes, the evacuation of Dunkirk and the surrender of France, Britain was isolated from most of Europe and had little support from the rest of the world, except sister nations in the Commonwealth. The Battle of Britain was one of the most famous battles of World War 2. The Germans needed to control the skies over the English Channel in order to launch the invasion of Britain. They feared being stopped by the British Royal Navy which would have attacked any invasion barges that might have been sent to land on the beaches of the South Coast. To control the Channel the Germans needed to control the air which meant they had to defeat the Royal Air Force.

A speech was made by Winston Churchill in The House of Commons as the Battle of Britain peaked on 20th August 1940. The Home Front was totally involved in the War and because of the German bombing raids, Britain was a nation united in its fighting and suffering. Special praise was given to the pilots of the RAF Fighter Command who, against great odds and with considerable bravery, had helped to change the course of the war. The Battle of Britain was the first major defeat for Germany during World War 2. Churchill's speech was a great inspiration to the embattled people of the UK during what was probably the most dangerous phase of the War. It was said to be written in Churchill's car on the way back from a visit to RAF Fighter Command headquarters where he had witnessed a heavy attack.

Further Opportunities for Learning

The core work of historical studies is to evaluate the truth in written articles from all evidence available. A debate has recently developed between historians over the importance of the Navy and RAF's roles during the Battle of Britain. You might like to ask students to read the two articles - Ready or Not: The RAF in the Battle of Britain by Anthony Cumming, and Christina Goulter's reply to this. They give two different views of the significance of the Battle of Britain. The articles are attached to the lesson as a resource under the title 'Battle of Britain Debate'. Then, using the internet, ask students to conduct their own research on the subject before deciding which argument they find more convincing and why.

Student worksheet answers

Download the teachers notes PDF to access the answers for this lesson.