This World War II women 27-page resource with 44 primary sources, 35 comprehension questions and 3 DBQ prompts gives students a chance to look in depth at women's experiences and contributions during World War II. The first two pages include Background, Notes on Primary Sources and Teacher Notes.

Here’s a chance for students to read documents and look at images that shed light on issues facing women and facing the country during World War II. These include photographs, speeches, newspaper articles, posters, pamphlets, letters and memoirs. Due to the sheer number of men going overseas to fight, women were needed to take on men's tasks, in the factories and on the farms, and even to serve as support staff in the military. African-American women, along with white women, were also needed due to labor shortages and had greater opportunities than ever before, but nonetheless still faced discrimination. Japanese-American women faced great challenges due to internment in camps throughout the western United States but still managed to contribute to the war effort and to endure the indignities of living in difficult situations.

Topics include the following:

Women Workers

Nurses during World War II

Women in the Military

Japanese-American Women

African-American Women

Victory Gardens and Rationing

Women's Land Army

Women Volunteers

End of War

Assign just one, a few or all of the sources depending on time constraints and student interest. This can be completed in one or two class periods.

Each page of primary sources includes comprehension questions at the end in order for students to analyze perspectives, consider key ideas and to identify bias.

Included is a one-page sheet that explains what primary sources are and how to analyze them using specific questions through a process called HAPPY (Historical Context, Audience, Purpose, Point of View and Why Significant). There is also a page at the end for students to apply the HAPPY process to the sources.

Three DBQ prompts are included at the end with instructions on how to create a response to the prompt.

An Answer Key to all the comprehension questions and the DBQ prompts are available at the end of the packet. This is excellent practice for all high school students, particularly Honors and AP students, but all students will find these resources engaging.

Please note that this is NOT an editable file.

Other Curriculum Resources about World War I include the following:

Women during World War II: Power Point Lesson

Women during World War II: Reading Assignment and Worksheet

All three resources are also available in a Teaching Bundle for a discounted price:

More resources are always being added so check back frequently!

Follow I Like History

Follow my store so that you know when I add new products. Click the star next to my name and my new products will appear on the front page of your TeachShare account.

I have been a high school history teacher for over 15 years, both in-person and online with involvement in education for over 25 years. I have primarily taught U.S. History, AP World History, World History, AP World History and U.S. Women’s History. I have a B.A. and an M.A. in History.

Provide Feedback

Also, don’t forget that you can earn credit towards future purchases when you give feedback!

For each purchase that you make, you can leave feedback which earns you credit for future purchases. Easy and financially-savvy too! Feedback helps me to know what teachers want for their students.

Interested in Free Resources?

Sign up for my mailing list to receive the FREE resource: World War II Oral Histories from the Homefront. (not available on TeachShare)

To receive information about podcasts, offers for freebies, and more, join my mailing list here or follow me on Instagram.

Please reach out if you have any questions, concerns or comments about this resource at christa@historyprisms.com.

Thank you for your interest in this resource!

Christa Nonnemaker