Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
icon-background-square
Year 11

Nuclear weapons and WMD's

In this lesson, we will focus on weapons of mass destruction. We will explore examples of WMDS and the use of nuclear weapons at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and WMDs in reference to Just War theory and lesser jihad.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
icon-background-square
Year 11

Nuclear weapons and WMD's

In this lesson, we will focus on weapons of mass destruction. We will explore examples of WMDS and the use of nuclear weapons at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and WMDs in reference to Just War theory and lesser jihad.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

View new resources
arrow-right

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Examples of WMDS and the use of nuclear weapons at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
  2. WMDs in reference to Just War theory and lesser jihad.
equipment-required

Equipment

You will need two different coloured pens: black or blue and another coloured pen, such as green or red.

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Contains conflict or violence.
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision suggested

copyright

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

Lesson video

Share with pupils
Skip lesson video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz
Share with pupils

7 Questions

Q1.
Which of these best defines the term 'holy war'
A holy war is fighting for a religious cause or God.
Correct answer: A holy war is fighting for a religious cause or God. Holy wars are usually controlled by a religious leader.
Holy wars are fighting to spread the faith.
Holy wars are usually controlled by a religious leader.
Q2.
Which of these statements best reflects the generally accepted Christian position on holy wars?
Holy wars are actively pursued in Christianity today.
Holy wars are important to defend the faith and help it spread.
Holy wars are looked upon favourably.
Correct answer: The concept of holy war doesn’t really feature in current Christian thought.
Q3.
Who led the Christians in the First Crusade?
Moses
Pope Benedict
Correct answer: Pope Urban II
The Archbishop of Canterbury
Q4.
Who led the Israelites in the Battle of Jericho?
Correct answer: Joshua
Moses
Pope Urban II
Rahab
Q5.
Who created the plan for the Battle of Jericho?
Correct answer: God
Joshua
Moses
Rahab
Q6.
Which of these best defines the lesser jihad?
Correct answer: The struggle to build a good Islamic society and protect the faith. This can allow, but does not demand, the use of force, including war, in order to defend the faith.
The struggle to fight for God. Being prepared to lay down your life for the cause of Allah.
The struggle to resist the use of force in all circumstances.
The struggle to use force to protect the faith. Being prepared to lay down your life for the cause of Allah.
Q7.
Which of these statements do Muslims traditionally believe is true?
Correct answer: Muhammad's actions in the Battle of Badr give a good example as to how to conduct a conflict in such a way as to enable reconciliation.
Muhammad's actions in the Battle of Badr made forgiveness entirely impossible.
Muhammad's actions in the Battle of Badr made reconciliation entirely impossible.
Muhammad's actions in the Battle of Badr were completely unjust.

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz
Share with pupils

5 Questions

Q1.
What is the definition of weapons of mass destruction?
Weapons that involve a nuclear reaction. They devastate a huge area and kill large numbers.
Correct answer: Weapons that kill a large number of people and/or cause great damage to the natural environment.
Weapons that use chemicals to poison, burn or paralyse humans. They can also cause great damage to the natural environment.
WMD
Q2.
What country did America drop two nuclear bombs on during WWII?
Germany
Italy
Correct answer: Japan
UK
Q3.
How many people are estimated to have died as a result of the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
Correct answer: Between 117,000 and 250,000
Between 250,000 and 420,000
Between 27,000 and 50,000
Between 5,000 and 10,000
Q4.
Which part of the Christian just war theory would be used to disagree with the use of weapons of mass destruction.
Correct authority
Just cause
Correct answer: Proportionate force
Right intention
Q5.
How can the actions of Muhammad in the Battle of Badr be used to form a view on WMD?
Muhammad didn't use any force at all. Therefore WMD are unacceptable.
Muhammad killed as many opposition soldiers as possible. WMD are therefore acceptable.
Muhammad used WMD in the Battle of Badr. Therefore, it is fine to use them today.
Correct answer: Muhammad was careful to only use minimum force. Instead of killing opposition forces, where possible, he captured them. WMD are not proportionate force. They kill huge numbers of people.Therefore WMDs are unacceptable.