Model Essay: “Assess the successes and failures of Nixon’s foreign policy” [teacher password required] Students should close this unit by tackling one of the essay questions outlined above in timed conditions. The essay provided here was written by me in timed conditions whilst my own students tacked a similar question. Part of the new scheme of…
Category: A-Level / IB History
IB History, AS History, A2 History
Nixon’s foreign policy: the second administration
Nixon’s second administration (1972-1974) “Nixon’s second administration was mired in the Watergate Scandal, but no less controversial is is handling of foreign affairs in this period. In this part of the investigation you will reach your own judgement on whether Vietnam, Chile, Israel and the Middle East, or South Africa deserves to be regarded as…
Nixon’s foreign policy: The 1972 Presidential Election
The 1972 Presidential Election | Teacher notes “Imagine it’s 1972 election year, with inauguration day due to take place in January 1973. You are deciding how to vote, and Gallup (the public opinion pollsters) have asked for your approval rating of Nixon in the realm of foreign affairs. Using your existing knowledge, discuss with a partner what…
Sourcework Exercise: To what extent was Martin Luther King responsible for the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
Paper 1 Sourcework Exercise: To what extent was Martin Luther King responsible for the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott? A one-hour sourcework paper in the style of the IBO. 1. a) According to Source A, why did Rosa Parks refuse to give up her bus seat? [3 marks] 1. b) What message is conveyed…
Nixon’s foreign policy: the first administration (1969-72)
Nixon’s first administration (1969-1972) | Teacher notes Students complete a gap-fill exercise providing them with an essential overview of Nixon’s foreign policy. They then conduct extra research and reading to answer such questions as: What were the essential features of the Nixon Doctrine? Use quotes from Nixon himself as appropriate. / Complete the following table to provide an…
Nixon’s Foreign Policy: New study unit
A study of Nixon’s foreign policy makes a great deal of sense if students have already studied the Vietnam War and / or the 1973 Chilean Coup (each of which provides a major area of overlap with Nixon). In this compact study unit, students revisit these topics and broaden out to consider not just Nixon’s policies with the USSR…
Anarchism: Bakunin’s Catechism of a Revolutionary
Anarchism: Bakunin’s Catechism of a Revolutionary This text should be copied into a shared Google Doc. It will then be divided between the members of the class (e.g. the first student is responsible for points 1-3, the second for points 4-6 and so on). Each student should delete all but one of the points, keeping…
Summary Sheet: Hegel, Marx and Lenin – compared and contrasted
Summary Sheet: Hegel, Marx and Lenin – compared and contrasted A detailed knowledge organiser that serves as a useful consolidation and revision aid. Part of the new Political Ideologies scheme of work.
Factual Test on the issues covered so far (20 questions)
Factual Test on the issues covered so far (20 questions) | Teacher answers This test makes use of the “How certain are you?” format. For each question, play for 1, 2 or 3 points to reflect your confidence. If you’re correct, you win those points. If not, you lose them down to a minimum of zero points. Part…
To what extent was Franco’s victory in the Spanish Civil War due to the involvement of foreign powers?
To what extent was Franco’s victory in the Spanish Civil War due to the involvement of foreign powers? A model essay by RJ Tarr.
Teacher-led online lecture [2]: A brief history of political ideology from the Enlightenment to the modern day!
Teacher-led online lecture [2]: A brief history of political ideology from the Enlightenment to the modern day! Complete with handouts and teacher notes, this is the second part of the teacher lecture. together an online lecture which runs through the development of political ideology. This on starts with the Enlightenment and covers such themes as…
Model Essay: Analyse the successes and failures of President Kennedy’s foreign policies towards Latin America between 1961 and 1963.
Analyse the successes and failures of President Kennedy’s foreign policies towards Latin America between 1961 and 1963. A model essay by RJ Tarr.
Enlightenment Philosophy: Philosophers, Revolutionaries and the Declaration of the Rights of Man
Enlightenment Philosophy: Philosophers, Revolutionaries and the Declaration of the Rights of Man In this exercise we will clarify what the spirit of the French Revolution actually was. It will then be possible, if and when you study the French Revolution in more depth, to decide: How far the early revolutionaries delivered on their promises, whether…
Teacher-led online lecture [1]: A brief history of political ideology from the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment!
Teacher-led online lecture [1]: A brief history of political ideology from the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment! Complete with handouts and teacher notes, I have put together an online lecture which runs through the development of political ideology. This first presentation brings students up to the Enlightenment and covers such themes as the Great Chain…
Left-wing and Right Wing: Which are you?
Left-wing and Right Wing: Which are you? [online simulation] Students complete the computer questionnaire, which will provide them with some initial suggestions about whether they are Left- or Right-Wing. This can be completed in class, or set as a homework activity. Students are then asked to complete a Triangle Nine Template by completing the following steps: “Step 1:…
Model Essay: Compare and Contrast the Rise of Pinochet and Franco
Model Essay: Compare and Contrast the Rise of Pinochet and Franco Students first have a brainstorm about what are the most frequent causes for the rise of single party state rulers. They then analyse the key methods and conditions which led to the rise of particular individual dictators, then compare and contrast them. In this…
What is Politics? Why are so many people not interested in it and why is this worrying?
Teacher Presentation: What is Politics? Why are so many people not interested in it and why is this worrying? This presentation is given to the entire group and is designed to get them thinking about why politics is so important. It outlines how the study unit will focus on helping students determine whether they are…
Communism and Fascism: What’s the difference?
Communism and Fascism: What’s the difference? Building on directly from the “Left and Right Wing” simulation earlier, students complete a questionnaire about key policy areas to help them identify the essential features of dictatorship and democracy, communism and fascism. They then use what they have learned to outline the differences between (a) Fascism and Communism;…
Design your ‘ideal state’
Design your ‘ideal state’ In this lesson, students take the ideas and principles they are now familiar with and use these to design an ‘ideal state’ by considering such things as the ideal age for voting, the benefits and disadvantages of having a monarchy, and so on. Plenty of room here for group work and…
The Potsdam Conference: When and why did the US policy move from one of co-operation to confrontation?
The Potsdam Conference: When and why did the US policy move from one of co-operation to confrontation? Students consider the extent to which the Potsdam conference was characterised more by conflict that by co-operation. Part of the comprehensive unit on Cold War Origins to 1949.
LBJ and the “Great Society”
A new teaching unit on LBJ and the Great Society. After the 1964 election, the Democrats held two-thirds majorities in both houses of Congress. This gave Johnson the mandate to realize his vision of a “Great Society”. Emboldened by his election by more votes than any president in history, Johnson prepared to inundate the 89th…
Sourcework Exercise: The Sharpeville Massacre – Teacher model answers
Sourcework Exercise: The Sharpeville Massacre | Teacher answers 1) a. According to Source A, why was the campaign in Sharpeville so badly coordinated? [3 marks] 1) b. What is the message conveyed by Source B? [2 marks] 2) With reference to its origin, purpose and content, analyse the value and limitations of Source C for…
Sourcework Exercise: The Sharpeville Massacre
Sourcework Exercise: The Sharpeville Massacre 1) a. According to Source A, why was the campaign in Sharpeville so badly coordinated? [3 marks] 1) b. What is the message conveyed by Source B? [2 marks] 2) With reference to its origin, purpose and content, analyse the value and limitations of Source C for a historian studying…
Model answers for sourcework exercise on rise of Apartheid
IB-style source work exercise: Why was apartheid introduced into South Africa in 1948? | Model Answers by RJ Tarr A one-hour source work exercise in the style of the IBDP History Paper 1, complete with model answers to share with students afterwards.
Model Essay – Compare and contrast the role of ideology in causing two 20th-century wars, each chosen from a different region
Compare and contrast the role of ideology in causing two 20th-century wars, each chosen from a different region “Although at face value very different conflicts, the Spanish Civil War and the Vietnam War were strikingly similar in a number of important ways: not least the central role played by ideology in precipitating the outbreak of…
Model Essay – What were the most frequent causes of 20th-century wars?
What were the most frequent causes of 20th-century wars? (model essay) “The 20th Century was defined by two World Wars which brought havoc upon civilization unprecedented in human history, and in the continued instability of the 21st century a study of their causes – and how to avoid them – is an essential method of working…
Vietnam veteran John Kerry’s statement at the Senate hearings of 1971
Vietnam veteran John Kerry’s statement at the Senate hearings of 1971 The class will be divided into pairs, representing 18-year-old US citizens in 1971. Imagine that you and your partner are good friends who have just been drafted into the US army. You are both well educated and have strong opinions about the war: one…
Why, and with what degree of justification, did Nixon refuse to immediately withdraw from Vietnam?
Why, and with what degree of justification, did Nixon refuse to immediately withdraw from Vietnam? A primary source analysis activity. Students use the ‘Silent Majority’ speech to answer the following questions: 1. What is the current situation in Vietnam, and why did America get involved in the first place? 2. Why is Nixon refusing to…
Compare and contrast the policy of Johnson and Nixon with regard to Vietnam
Compare and contrast the policy of Johnson and Nixon with regard to Vietnam Students are provided with a detailed timeline of events covering the Nixon administration and conduct further research of their own. They then consider carefully their completed research to provide an essay plan to the past exam question “Compare and contrast the Vietnam…
Could LBJ have handled the Vietnam War more effectively?
Could LBJ have handled the Vietnam War more effectively? In this decision-making exericse, students imagine they are advisors to President Johnson. As the crisis in Vietnam deepens, their job is to advise him on the best course of action to preserve his administration (How should LBJ respond to accusations that he is being insufficiently honest…
Civil Rights Campaign 1964, Freedom Summer
Campaign 1964: Freedom Summer | Teacher notes “The 1964 Freedom Summer was a 10-week campaign in Mississippi designed to increase the amount of black people registered to vote…Listen to (or read) Fanie Lou Hamer’s “I Question America” speech and make notes on the sorts of injustices she and her people have suffered already and which she uses…
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
Legislation 1964: The Civil Rights Act The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is significant because it made the protection of civil rights the responsibility of the federal government, and removed the rights of individual states to make their own exceptions to these…Watch the video clip and make detailed notes on the main provisions of the…
Sourcework Assignment with model answers, The Civil Rights Act of 1964
Sourcework Assignment with model answers: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 [Teacher password required] A complete sourcework paper in the style of the new IB Syllabus, complete with model answers by the author of this website. Part of the complete scheme of work on the civil rights movement 1954-1965 at ActiveHistory
Selma Marches 1965, Online Simulation
Campaign 1965: Selma – The Simulation [interactive] “In this simulation you will learn about key figures involved in the struggle as events unfold step-by-step. For each character you will be invited to step inside their shoes and consider how you should react to the situation you face if your objective is to attract favourable media attention…
The Voting Rights Act of 1965
Legislation 1965: The Voting Rights Act “The Voting Rights Act has recently been undermined by the case of Shelby County v. Holder (2013). Conduct some research into this case (including the article from The Guardian entitled ‘Selma leaders lament voting rights losses at congressional award ceremony’) to answer the question “To what extent has the…
Compare and Contrasting the Rise of Dictators in Different Regions
Which 20th Century Dictator are YOU? A simulation to compare and contrast the methods and conditions through which dictators rose to power. Complete with self-study workpack enabling students to turn their findings into a rigorous essay. There is also a class leaderboard where teachers can monitor student performance in the factual test questions. You might also try…
JFK and the Diem Coup: To what extent was Kennedy responsible?
JFK and the Diem Coup: To what extent was Kennedy responsible? In this activity students consider a range of primary source documents to determine how far Kennedy was responsible for coup against President Diem.
Roleplay Exercise – Kennedy and the Berlin Crisis of 1961
Roleplay Exercise – Kennedy and the Berlin Crisis of 1961 | Multimedia teacher-led presentation | Briefing Sheets In this exercise students will take the role of an advisor to President Kennedy. By discussing different courses of action and then comparing them to what Kennedy did, they will form a balanced judgement on his handling of…
Kennedy and Latin America: The Alliance for Progress
Kennedy and Latin America: The Alliance for Progress This worksheet and activity covers Kennedy’s “Alliance for Progress”, which was in essence a Marshall Plan for Latin America. As its name suggests, it proposed a partnership between the USA and Latin American countries keen to engage in political and socio-economic reforms. Signed in Uruguay’s Punta Del…
The 1960 Election Campaign: The TV Debates and the Inaugural Address
The 1960 Election Campaign: The TV Debates and the Inaugural Address The TV Debates: In election year 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard Nixon took part in the first televised presidential debate, hosted by legendary newsman Walter Cronkite. This was the beginning of modern media-driven politics: JFK came across as suave, confident…
JFK: Introduction and Overview
JFK: Introduction and Overview Students are provided with a teacher-led lecture based around the following image and make notes in this worksheet. Part of the new study unit on The Foreign Policy of President Kennedy
Model Essay: To what extent were conflicting views about Germany the main cause of the Cold War up to 1949?
Model Essay: To what extent were conflicting views about Germany the main cause of the Cold War up to 1949? (Teacher password required) A model essay written by RJ Tarr (author of www.activehistory.co.uk). Part of the comprehensive Origins of the Cold War Unit.
Cold War Historiography – comparisons and contrasts worksheet
Cold War Historiography “How would each school of historians assess the respective role of military, economic and political factors in causing the Cold War? How would you complete the final columns?” Part of the comprehensive Origins of the Cold War Unit.
A revision summary grid of historiographical terms
A revision summary grid of historiographical terms Observations: Leopold von Ranke’s Historicism movement in the late 19th Century laid the framework for modern historiography. From the scientific methods of source analysis it promoted, historians quickly moved from describing “what” happened and towards a consideration of “why”. In the late 20th Century, however, the postmodernists argued…
Origins of the Cold War: Essay Writing Advice
Essay Writing Phase “Read through the following essay titles. Identify (e.g. by highlighting / dragging-dropping) common themes. These questions will be shared between the class. Produce an essay plan in 10 minutes for your allocated essay. Then feed back to the class with your thoughts and findings. In a lesson next week, one question from…
Schools of History – Historiography and TOK in History
Session 3: Histories [Student worksheet | Teacher notes] It has been said that “all history is contemporary history” (Croce) and “History tells us more about the person who wrote it than about the people being written about” (Carr). In this sense, works of history themselves become sources for later generations of historians! In this session, we will…
Historians and Theory of Knowledge in History
Session 2: Historians [Student worksheet | Teacher notes] Sources are incomplete, untypical and unreliable, as we found out in our last session. Historians therefore need to: Select sources to use, based on what questions need answering; Interpret those sources and make deductions from them; Organise and present their main conclusions to the public. Arguably, this process of…
Model Essay: In what ways, and with what results, did the Cold War influence relations between Latin America with the United States in the period 1945 to 1957?
Model Essay by Russel Tarr: In what ways, and with what results, did the Cold War influence relations between Latin America with the United States in the period 1945 to 1957? (note: teacher password required) An essay written in timed conditions and then shared with my own students.
American Foreign Policy in Latin America, 1945-60: Conclusions
American Foreign Policy in Latin America, 1945-60: Conclusions Students draw some overall conclusions about the how ‘new’ and how ‘successful’ Eisenhower’s policies in Latin America were. They should then be set a timed essay in examination conditions on one of the following themes: Discuss the consequences for the region of Eisenhower’s national security policy. Examine…
Eisenhower’s Policy in Latin America: Do YOU like Ike?! (decision-making exercise)
Eisenhower’s Policy in Latin America: Do YOU like Ike?! (decision-making exercise) “In this exercise you will form your own judgement about how well Eisenhower handled relations with Latin America. Your teacher will guide you through each issue using an online multimedia presentation based at ActiveHistory. After your teacher tells you about the first issue (and you have…
Truman’s Policy in Latin America
Truman’s Policy in Latin America Using the information provided, and a range of recommended weblinks for extra research, students answer the following questions: 1. What were the main features of Truman’s policy towards in Latin America? 2. To what extent was Truman’s policy in Latin America the same as his policy elsewhere in the world?…
Eisenhower and the “New Look”: Video Worksheet
Eisenhower and the “New Look”: Video Worksheet “Complete this worksheet as you watch the 48-minute online video. Decide whether you wish to adjust your positionining of the key policies we have so far considered, or add further ones (e.g. about the meetings with Khrushchev)”.
Theory of Knowledge in History: The Challenge of Source Material
Session 1: Sources [student worksheet | teacher notes] Introduction: Why and How is History Produced? “History” is not “What happened in the past” or even “The surviving evidence of what happened in the past”. It means “What historians choose to interpret from the surviving evidence of the past” To reduce this to a formula, we might say:…
The Suez Crisis and the Middle East from Eisenhower’s Perspective – Conclusions
The Suez Crisis and the Middle East from Eisenhower’s Perspective – Conclusions NOTE: Comprehensive resources and activities relating to the Suez Crisis are provided in a dedicated section of ActiveHistory here. This document should merely be used to conclude this topic of study.
To what extent do you agree that Eisenhower’s foreign policy was neither new nor successful?
Investigation: To what extent do you agree that Eisenhower’s foreign policy was neither new nor successful? Contained in this document are seven key policy areas. Your teacher will divide the class into two teams. a. Working alone, read through the first policy area carefully then decide how ‘new’ and ‘successful’ it was. Explain your answer…
Introduction to Eisenhower and the “New Look” National Security Policy
Introduction to Eisenhower and the “New Look” National Security Policy “Using the information provided here, and your existing knowledge of Truman’s foreign policy, to answer this question: In what ways did Eisenhower’s ‘New Look’ differ from the foreign policy of President Truman?”
IB History Internal Assessment 2017 – Marksheet and Guidance
I have updated the materials I have designed to support the IB History Internal Assessment based on the new specifications of the 2017 syllabus. In particular I have designed a new mark sheet and rubric to guide students through the process. Exemplar studies will follow in due course after the first cycle of examinations next…
Model Essay: How did the early years of the Cold War (1946 to 1956) affect the political and social life of the United States?
Model Essay: How did the early years of the Cold War (1946 to 1956) affect the political and social life of the United States? [teacher password required] Here’s a model essay I wrote on the key question in timed conditions, and which students could be given after completing their own.
Keyword Checker – How did the early years of the Cold War (1946 to 1956) affect the political and social life of the United States?
Keyword Checker – How did the early years of the Cold War (1946 to 1956) affect the political and social life of the United States? When students have completed their essays on this question, they should put them into this key word checker to determine how many key terms they have successfully incorporated.
McCarthyism and the Second Red Scare: Video Documentary and Worksheet
Pre-class preparation: Video Documentary and Worksheet Prior to the first lesson on this topic, students should complete this worksheet which provides them with a thorough overview of the main events, themes and personalities.
IB History sourcework exercise: The Sophiatown Removals
One-hour sourcework exercise: The Sophiatown Removals | Model answers written by RJ Tarr A full sourcework exercise, complete with teacher model answers, based around the following questions: 1. a) According to Source C, why was was there so little resistance to the Sophiatown evictions? [3 marks] 1. b) What message is conveyed by Source B? [2 marks] 2. With reference to…
Infographic challenge: Apartheid in statistics
Infographic challenge: Apartheid in statistics “The impact of apartheid on black South Africans is difficult to comprehend. Your task is to take these essential statistics about apartheid and then convert them into an “info graphic” (for example, using a tool like Piktochart, Canva, Infogr.am or similar.” Part of the complete scheme of work to support…
IB History sourcework practice – in the style of question [1/2/3]
IB sourcework practice – in the style of question [1] IB sourcework practice – in the style of question [2/3] Two sourcework exercies based around conditions under the Apartheid regime. Part of the complete scheme of work to support the IBDP History “Rights and Protest” unit on Apartheid South Africa.
Speech-writing task: a reply to the defenders of Apartheid
Speech-writing task: a reply to the defenders of Apartheid “Watch the following three interviews with people defending the policy of apartheid. For each one, make notes on their essential arguments. Then, use these to help you produce a speech which will (a) summarise the arguments that have been put forward to defend apartheid by its…
Factual Test: The anti-apartheid resistance movement | Teacher answer sheet
Factual Test: The anti-apartheid resistance movement | Teacher answer sheet A detailed factual test in the form of a ‘fill the gaps’ exercise. When completed and corrected, it forms a useful revision aid in itself. Part of the complete scheme of work to support the IBDP History “Rights and Protest” unit on Apartheid South Africa.
IB History – The development of the anti-Apartheid resistance movement
The development of the anti-Apartheid resistance movement The tasks in this worksheet accompany the teacher led multimedia lecture and decision-making exercise at ActiveHistory (above). Both the lecture, and this worksheet, will take up substantially more than one lesson. Therefore, a good strategy is to (a) Complete Task 1 before the start of the lecture; (b)…
Apartheid – Multimedia Teacher-led lecture and decision-making exercise
Multimedia Teacher-led lecture and decision-making exercise This detailed multimedia presentation guides students through the development of the anti-Apartheid resistance movement. Through a series of stimulus images, written sources and video clips, students are guided through a series of decision points which reflect the issues which split the resistance movement into different groups and factions including…
IB/A-Level: Christmas in Stalin’s Russia
IB/A-Level: Christmas in Stalin’s Russia | Teacher Answer Sheet This lesson gets starts with a team-based quiz challenge, and then moves on to look at how Stalin unexpectedly revivied Christmas for his own propagandistic ends. It forms a useful addition to students’ understanding of Stalin’s use of propaganda, and his policies towards religion, and as such is…
The Sophiatown removals: podcast note-taking task
The Sophiatown removals: podcast note-taking task Students use the BBC Witness Podcast (10 minutes) to answer a series of structured questions, including: Why were the black residents evicted from Sophiatown? How long did the process take, and how many people were affected? How did the Sophiatown get its name? How did this non-white community manage…
Factual Test: the Apartheid laws
Factual Test: the Apartheid laws | Teacher answer sheet A detailed factual test in the form of a ‘fill the gaps’ exercise. When completed and corrected, it forms a useful revision aid in itself. Part of the complete scheme of work to support the IBDP History “Rights and Protest” unit on Apartheid South Africa.
Creative writing task: the experience of Apartheid
Creative writing task: the experience of Apartheid Students are provided with THREE possible approache to this task, one of which is to “Produce a fictional first-person account written by a black South African looking back on their life under apartheid. The account should tell a story which allows you to illustrate the impact of the…
The Apartheid Laws: research, categorisation and prioritisation
The Apartheid Laws: research, categorisation and prioritisation | Completed teacher copy “1. Read the details about each Act and use these to complete the second column with the correct titles from this list: Population Registration Act | Bantu Self-Government / Authorities Acts | Group Areas Act | Bantu Education Act | Separate Amenities Act | Public Safety…
IB-style source work exercise: Why was apartheid introduced into South Africa in 1948?
IB-style source work exercise: Why was apartheid introduced into South Africa in 1948? A one-hour source work exercise in the style of the IBDP History Paper 1. Part of the complete scheme of work to support the IBDP History “Rights and Protest” unit on Apartheid South Africa.
South Africa – Discriminatory laws passed before 1948
Discriminatory laws passed before 1948 “Using any sources available to you, research the provisions of each of the following TEN laws passed before 1948.When you have notes on each, colour code the laws using a scheme of your choice and provide a key to make it clear how you have categorised them” Part of the…
South Africa before 1948 – factual test
Factual Test | Teacher Answer Sheet This 20 question, paper-based test is provided in the form of a ‘fill the gaps’ exercise. When completed and corrected, it forms a useful revision aid in itself. Part of the complete scheme of work to support the IBDP History “Rights and Protest” unit on Apartheid South Africa.
Empathy exercise: Understanding the Broderbund and the ANC
Empathy exercise: Understanding the Broderbund and the ANC Supporting material: 1944 ANC Youth League Manifesto | 1948 National Party Platform “In 1912 the Afrikaner Broderbund was established to protect the rights of White Boers. In 1918 the ANC was established to protect the rights of Black South Africans. Produce a press statement from each organisation dated 1944 which…
Overview of South Africa to 1948
Timeline of events to 1948 Students are provided with a detailed timeline of events which enable them to answer key questions about the development of South Africa before the formal establishment of apartheid in 1948. Part of the complete scheme of work to support the IBDP History “Rights and Protest” unit on Apartheid South Africa.
Simulation: Which 20th Century Dictator are YOU?
A stand-alone simulation to help students compare and contrast how single-party state rulers maintained power. Complete with accompanying self-study workpack to enable students to turn their findings into a rigorous essay. “You will be asked 10 key questions about how you would choose to run your imaginary dictatorship. As you proceed you will be given detail about…
The Rise and Rule of Fidel Castro
A new study unit. The rise of Castro is best studied following completion of the ActiveHistory study unit “What are the most common methods and conditions that explain the rise of dictatorships?“, since that unit allows students to build up an overall theory about the nature of dictatorships that can then be tested against this…
Rule of 20th Century Dictators Compared
The IB History examination encourages students to analyse not just the rule of individual dictators, but to compare them across different regions. THIS UNIT provides a rigorous, engaging and efficient way of doing so – firstly by considering one ruler, then comparing him to a second. It is designed to accompany the comparative study unit on the…
How to Establish a Whole-School Induction Project for Year 12
“Was World War Two a Period of Progress and Development?” For the past five years I have co-ordinated an intensive IB Induction project at my school here Toulouse. I am currently in the process of discussing how this can be developed and improved further with input and inspiration from my colleagues, and to help them…
Podcast Research Project
The following task is one that I set for my IB students during the first half term break. Although it can be set at any point, it’s a great way to get them thinking about possible Internal Assessment topics early on in the course. It also requires each student to deliver a classroom presentation.
IB History Revision – The Arab-Israeli Conflict: Eighteen Big Questions!
The Arab-Israeli Conflict: Eighteen Big Questions! Each person in the class will be given a number. When your number appears, treat this as an indication that you are producing a YES argument if you are the first number listed, and a NO if you are the second. Discuss/debate your ideas in pairs, and also reach…
Middle East Revision: Higher Level, 1979-2000
Eight Key Events 1979-2000: Research, Comparison, Conclusions [there is also a completed teacher version] “Different people in the class should produce a research piece on an event outlined in one row of this table, then share them with the group so that everybody is able to complete their grid. When the table is completed, use it to…
IB History Teachers Debate: Is it true that Israel was a state created as a result of terrorism?
IB History Teachers Debate: Is it true that Israel was a state created as a result of terrorism? IB History Teachers have their own Facebook Group where they discuss their views on issues relating to topics that we teach. In December 2014, its members debated the answer to the above question. This worksheet contains their…
Causes of the French Revolution – Model Essay: “What were the Causes of the French Revolution?”
Causes of the French Revolution Model Essay: “What were the Causes of the French Revolution?” (teacher password required) A sample essay which I wrote myself in timed conditions for the benefit of my students. Part of the comprehensive ActiveHistory materials on the Causes, Events and Legacy of the French Revolution.
Causes of the French Revolution – Keyword Checker: “What were the Causes of the French Revolution?”
Causes of the French Revolution Keyword Checker: “What were the Causes of the French Revolution?” Students can run their essay through this tool prior to handing it in (and the teacher can also do so in the marking phase) to provide a quick check of which key terminology has been used in the essay. Part…
Causes of the French Revolution – Historiography: Causes of the French Revolution
Causes of the French Revolution Historiography: Causes of the French Revolution After producing the first draft of their essay (“What were the main causes of the French Revolution?”), students are then provided with this detailed summary of some of the key schools of thought surrounding the French Revolution. Their task is to research some of…
Causes of the French Revolution – Research and Presentation Task | Sample Presentation
Causes of the French Revolution Research and Presentation Task | Sample Presentation Students study some sample examiners’ markschemes for questions relating to the causes of the French Revolution to analyse what appear to be the central factors identified. They then watch a 30-minute video to develop their understanding further. They organise their findings under key headings, then each student…
Teacher Introductory PowerPoint – Causes of the French Revolution
Causes of the French Revolution Teacher Introductory PowerPoint A series of images designed to get students thinking firstly about what the topic for study is going to be, and then highlighting some of the key issues surrounding it – in particular, what the central causes of the French Revolution were, how far it delivered on…
The Rise of Stalin: A Sweet Roleplay Exercise!
The Rise of Stalin: A Sweet Roleplay Exercise! It is 1923. Lenin, leader of the Soviet Union, is close to death and the battle to succeed him is raging in the Politburo. Overview: This interactive exercise forms part of the ActiveHistory unit on Stalin’s Rise to Power. Students take the role of five key members of the Politburo…
Hexagon Learning Case Study: The Rise of Stalin
The ability to select, prioritise, categorise and link evidence is a valuable skill that students learn in History. It is also highly transferable to other subjects. Using hexagons is a simple and effective way of developing these skills, as this case study, which comes complete with all the necessary resources, seeks to demonstrate. The ‘Hexagon…
The Suez Crisis, Sample Sourcework assignment and model answers
To what extent do you agree with the view that Israel and the West bear the largest responsibility for the Suez Crisis in 1956? This sample sourcework exercise is based on the IB History syllabus and comes complete with model answers which I have written myself to share with my own students.
Google Hangout Video Conference: Professor Orlando Figes answers questions on Lenin’s Russia
Following his earlier talk with students on the subject of the 1917 October Revolution, Professor Orlando Figes of Birkbeck University answered questions from students at the International School of Toulouse on the topic of Lenin’s rule of Russia 1918-1924. Over the course of 45 minutes he answered a wide range of questions that the class had formulated in…
Remembrance Day: Film of WW1: All Quiet on the Western Front
Film of WW1: All Quiet on the Western Front This exercise focuses on the German experience of World War One through the famous novel-turned-film. Students comprehend the final 30 minutes of the film then consider the techniques used in the film to get across its ‘peace’ message. Part of a comprehensive set of Remembrance materials…
Remembrance Day: Oral Testimonies
Oral Testimonies “The scale of warfare often leaves us numbed to its human impact. In the words of Stalin, “One death is a tragedy. A million deaths is just a statistic”. In this activity you will learn about the impact of war upon just one individual by using an online audio-visual archive of interviews with…
Remembrance Day: Propaganda Posters
Propaganda Posters Print off these 10 posters. Create a Venn diagram with them with the three circles representing: 1. Attempts to mobilise women 2. Attempts to recruit men 3. Attempts to generate anti-German feeling. Find other examples to add to the diagram if you have time. Part of a comprehensive set of materials designed…
Remembrance Day: Debating the Issues: The De Bono Method
Debating the Issues: The De Bono Method Starting with a teacher’s introductory PowerPoint, “The teacher will take the role of someone with a ‘Green Hat’. They will choose (or ask the class to vote on) one of a range of ‘Discussion Points’ and each person in the class will be given a number between 2-5…
Remembrance Day: Consequences of War
Consequences of War A stand-alone worksheet version of an activity available on the web in which students compare the results of a large range of wars to compare, contrast and conclude regarding the most likely effects of a war for modern society. Part of a comprehensive set of materials designed for every year group to…
Remembrance Day: Red Poppy, White Poppy, both or neither?
For Year 12/13. The Nature of Remembrance: The White Poppy / Red Poppy Debate “Although Remembrance Day is an established day on the international calendar, there remains a great deal of debate about what exactly we should “Remember”. People who wear the Red Poppy have one opinion, and those who wear the White Poppy have…
