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Sourcework Assignment Pack A comprehensive pack of sources and questions in the style of GCSE/IGCSE examinations, designed to be printed off at the beginning of the unit and used as homework exercises over the course of several weeks.
Communism and Fascism This worksheet can be completed at any point during this unit. It provides students with a useful understanding of the differences between communism and fascism at just the point that these two ideologies start to get mentioned frequently.
Cover Sheet The other worksheets in this short unit can be collated together as a printable pack if desired. This cover sheet establishes the relevance of the topic.
PowerPoint Starter The horrifying human impact of the League's failure in Manchuria in particular is highlighted in this disturbing slideshow. I only use this at IB level. Please reach your own judgement as to whether it is appropriate for your own students.
Roleplay: The Manchurian Crisis | Rolecards This roleplay exercise is a great way to get students thinking about the possible courses of action open to the League. Students are given an essential briefing about the Manchurian Dispute, and are then organised into five groups representing different countries. Each country is given a role card outlining what course of action they favour, and oppose, and prepare their speeches. They then break into sub-teams to debate the issues and reach a verdict on how the League should react, before watching a video clip which tells them what actually happened.
Cartoon Analysis: Manchuria and Abyssinia [interactive] Students consolidate their knowledge by analysing a series of political cartoons relating to the Manchurian and Abyssinian Crises.
The Abyssinian Crisis Students are presented with a detailed breakdown of the crisis and watch several video clips to help them form judgements. A cartoon analysis exercise then follows.
Visual Essay-Writing Exercise: The Manchurian and Abyssinian Crises | Manchuria Cartoons | Abyssinia Cartoons Break the class into two groups. One will focus on the first crisis, one on the second. They should then construct an essay about the causes, course and consequences of their allocated crisis using the cartoons about Manchuria or Abyssinia as appropriate. Here are some sample outcomes from my own students:
Conclusions: How similar were the Manchurian and Abyssinian Crises? | Teacher Model Answers Students are provided with a writing frame which helps them compare and contrast the causes, course and consequences of the two crises.
The Historiography of World War Two: Was Hitler a Gambler, or a Planner, in Foreign Affairs? The AJP Taylor debate is explained here clearly, with discussion points attached and reference made to other historians who have contributed to the debate. I use this at IB level rather than IGCSE, although it could be a good extension activity for more able IGCSE students.
Overview of Hitler's Foreign Policy A topological map and a note-taking framework that should be used in conjunction with textbooks and / or videos.
Detailed Analysis of Hitler's Foreign Policy` A thorough breakdown of Hitler's policies between 1933-39, broken up with discussion points and questions. I produced this after I felt that the textbooks did not cover the subject sufficiently clearly. This worksheet can be used to accompany the pack.
The Nazi-Soviet Pact Why did the communists and the Nazis become allies?
Diagram Task: Events in the 1930s This task can be attempted at any point during this part of the unit, and would be an ideal homework activity. Students produce a series of diagrams illustrating the changing shape of international relations during the 1930s through the assistance of a detailed timeline.
WHAT Caused World War Two? - Flowchart Task Students are presented with a skeleton flowchart outlining 6 main causes of World War Two. Their job is to connect the factors together meaningfully and then translate this into a written piece.
WHO Caused World War Two? - Debate Task The class is divided into various groups, each of which has the task of producing prosecution questions against one country, and defence replies for another. A thorough way of rounding off the unit and looking at the evidence from a fresh perspective.
Structured Questions for IGCSE Provide students with this detailed list of possible questions to revise from as a homework, then set one of them as a practice question in timed conditions.
Essay Task on the Origins of World War Two - IB / A-Level A more advanced question for students beyond GCSE.
What Caused World War Two? [interactive] An interactive guide which will also develop essay writing skills
"Who Am I?" Challenge - International Relations in the 1930s Each team will be presented with a clue about a key historical figure. They get 50 points if they guess it correctly. If they wish to 'pass', they get further (easier) clues but the points available steadily decline. An incorrect guess at any point means they get zero points for that round. You can play as many rounds as you wish. It's a great way to revise!
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Births (550 years ago today): 1469 – Thomas Cajetan, Italian philosopher (d. 1534)
Births (200 years ago today): 1819 – Alfred Escher, Swiss businessman and politician (d. 1882)
Births (100 years ago today): 1919 – James O'Meara, English soldier and pilot (d. 1974)
Births (50 years ago today): 1969 – Kjell Ove Hauge, Norwegian school principal and track and field athlete
Deaths (50 years ago today): 1969 – Ernest Ansermet, Swiss conductor (b. 1883)
Commemorations:World Day of Social Justice
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Maos China: Thematic Analysis and Independent Research
Mao and his Ministers
Teacher Part 3: Maos Domestic Policies 1968-76
Teacher Lecture, Part 2: Maos Domestic Policies 1945-67
Teacher Lecture, Part 1: Maos Domestic Policies 1949-56
Which 20th Century Dictator are YOU?
Medieval Town and Village Virtual Adventure
What was the impact of the Korean War on the course and development of the Cold War?
Who was the most interesting Roman Emperor of all time? = Research Prompt Sheet
League of Nations Simulation update
Escape the Room Whitechapel 1888
Henry VIII: Head2Head Virtual Interview Relaunch
Medicine Through Time Expert: Head2Head Virtual Interview Relaunch
Adolf Hitler: Head2Head Virtual Interview Relaunch
Martin Luther King, Jr: Head2Head Virtual Interview Relaunch
...more