Introduction: Looking at the events in Hitler’s Germany and Churchill’s Great Britain
during World War II, what can we observe about their respective leadership styles? Are
they both effective leaders? Should leadership be something that one ought to strive
towards?
To examine these questions and lead to the critical question of statesmanship one should
use lecture to set up historical background (if necessary), and proceed with reflection, and
discussion led by Socratic questioning.
Critical Questions: Is there a difference between statesmanship and leadership? Can one
be a good leader, and yet a poor statesman?
Objective: To encourage critical thinking among students as to the nature of leadership.
Students ought to recognize that a “great leader” of a nation may be effective in rallying
his countrymen to a cause, however the cause itself and ramifications for the country as a
whole may call into question the leader's statesmanship.
Preparation: One should know and lay the groundwork for the causes of Hitler’s rise to
power and the subsequent groundwork that led to the outbreak of war in Europe. One
should also be able to give students a good idea of Churchill’s response. In addition an
analysis of key Churchill speeches. (A side note: As a 7th and 8th grade teacher I am
reluctant to hand out sections of Mein Kampf or speeches by Adolph Hitler, however
older groups may want to supplement their material with such readings).
Activities: For a Philosophy class discussion is always the key activity. Students could
write down their reflections on the subject as homework the day before class discussion.
Additional activities could include a writing assignment analyzing other past or current
heads of state and determining whether or not they were statesmen.
Assessment: Again, in Philosophy, the level of conversation should give a clear
understanding of conceptual penetration. However, an essay exam could also cover the
same ground.
Suggested Documents:
1939 War Speech
http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=986
Be Ye Men of Valour
http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=984
We Shall Fight on the Beaches
http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=1006
Some notes:
I’ve used this approach with a 7th and 8th grade Philosophy class, although I believe the
subject to be sound for any grade level. There’s at least one good class period discussion
but the subject is rich enough that it could be used for several days.
Rich Policz
7th and 8th Grade Philosophy
Ashland Christian School