Month: March 2010
Eastern Europe: Walesa and Pope John Paul II
In this task students discuss the respective roles of the key individuals and then answer some source work questions about the Solidarity movement.
The Suez Crisis: Historiography and Conclusions
The Suez Crisis: Historiography and Conclusions Students consider an orthodox and revisionist interpretation of the Suez Crisis to consolidate their understanding of this topic and reach an independent judgement. There are teacher notes available for this activity.
The Collapse of Soviet Control in Eastern Europe
Students conduct their own research about how each of the countries in the Eastern Bloc broke away from Soviet rule 1989-91 as part of their IGCSE history studies.
Gorbachev’s Policies: Glasnost and Perestroika
Students complete a table which helps them to assess the problems Gorbachev faced, how he chose to deal with them and how appropriate they consider these policies were.
Historical Anniversary: The Sharpeville massacre in South Africa results in more than 69 dead, 300 injured – 21st March 1960 (50 years ago today)
The Sharpeville Massacre, also known as the Sharpeville shootings, occurred on 21 March 1960, when South African police opened fire on a crowd of black protesters, killing 69 people. The confrontation occurred in the township of Sharpeville, in what is now Gauteng province. [Wikipedia Link]
USA/USSR: Reagan and “Star Wars”
President Ronald Reagan contributed to the decline and fall of the Soviet Union by adopting an aggressive, uncompromising policy towards communism. Students investigate his policies and their impact upon the USSR through a timeline and some source work questions.
Sourcework on the Nuclear Arms Race
Designed to be used as an extension or a homework activity.
Historical Anniversaries for April 2010
• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…
USA/USSR: The Nuclear Arms Race
Another pressure upon the Soviet Union was the massive cost of keeping up with the United States in terms of nuclear weapons. Students answer questions based around a timeline and as an extension activity conduct some research into the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Problems for the USSR: Afghanistan 1979-89
In this card-sort activity students piece together the causes, course and consequence of the war with Afghanistan, which caused such havoc for the military and the economic position of the Soviet Union.
2010 | Who should you vote for in the UK general election?
CLICK HERE for an interactive simulation to help you decide which party to vote for in the 2010 UK General Election. Rank 10 key issues by order of preference, then decide which party most closely reflects your own views on those issues. You will then be given a profile based on your feedback which suggests…
Worst Jobs in History: Middle Ages
The Middle Ages Worst Jobs in History simulation can be used as a stand-alone lesson, homework assignment or as part of a broader unit on “Was life Good or Bad during this particular period?”. The worksheet has basic activities for a 30 minute lesson, and extension tasks that could be followed up later.
Historical Anniversary: The United States announces that 3,500 American soldiers will be sent to Vietnam: 6th March 1960 (50 years ago today)
This began the military intervention that escalated into the Vietnam War, which lasted until 1973.
Eastern Europe: Rebellions 1956-68
Students investigate the uprisings in Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia to develop their understanding of the poor socio-economic conditions in the Eastern Bloc.
International Baccalaureate History: Sample Paper 1
Another 1-hour sourcework assignment in the style of the International Baccalaureate syllabus for History, dealing with International Relations 1918-36.
History Mystery: The Franklin Expedition
An ActiveHistory Mystery. The “History Mysteries” lessons are designed as stand-alone projects which each last 3-4 hours. Through engaging historical topics, they teach skills of research, groupwork, structured writing. There is a standard teacher lesson plan and student record sheet / markscheme for each activity.
Social-Economic Problems within the USSR: Sourcework
Some sourcework questions designed to be used as a homework / extension activity.
