A new worksheet and activity – students watch some clips from professional historians, and the work of previous years’ students, to reflect on what makes a great documentary. They are then guided through the process of writing a narrative, choosing appropriate images and a soundtrack, prior to producing a short video documentary of their own….
Tag: war
The English Civil War: PowerPoint Starter / Accompanying Video
The English Civil War: PowerPoint Starter / Accompanying Video A series of images and short textual points designed to generate student interest. What was the Civil War? Why is it important to study? To accompany this, I have produced a short video of my own which I originally created as a distance-learning resource during COVID-19…
Social, Political, Economic and Cultural Consequences of World War One in Germany, Britain and the USSR
Social, Political, Economic and Cultural Consequences of World War One in Germany, Britain and the USSR Students should open a copy of this EDITABLE table, and fill the gaps by playing one of the following quizzes. Part of the World War One Study Unit at ActiveHistory. (145 views)
The Events of World War Two: New Study Unit
These lessons focus on providing students with a clear understanding of the main ideologies, personalities and events leading up to the war rather than the causes themselves (The Causes of World War Two is a topic better suited as an examination topic for older students, and resources can be found here: 1920s | 1930s.) (131…
Video Documentary Worksheet: “The World at War: Genocide”
Video Documentary Worksheet: “The World at War: Genocide” This worksheet is designed to help students get the most out of a documentary episode which is widely regarded as one of the best ever produced about the Holocaust – Hitler’s attempt to exterminate the Jewish people. The Holocaust is a subject which is compulsory to study…
Consequences of the Korean War: HTML5 Hexagons
How was a truce negotiated? What were the consequences for Korea and for the wider world? |Interactive HTML Hexagons Students consider a list of detailed points are are then challenged to organise these into meaningful categories to answer the key questions. There are also some HTML5 Hexagons available for this exercise generated at www.classtools.net. Part…
Analyse the impact of the Cold War upon the DDR
The Impact of the Cold War upon the DDR The impact of the Cold War upon one state, and a comparison and contrast of the impact of the Cold War upon two states from different regions, is a possible focus of exam questions. The following unit was designed to provide an academically rigorous follow-up task…
Peace Treaties after World War One: Model Answers
Peace Treaties after World War One a. What is a diktat? b. Explain why some people thought that the Treaty of Versailles was fair. c. To what extent did the aims of the Big Three differ? One of many sets of model answers for IGCSE History (CIE) that can be accessed here: (192 views)
Model Answers: Peace Treaties after World War One [free]
Peace Treaties after World War One [free] a. What did Wilson hope to achieve from the peace settlement of 1919-20? b. Why did Clemenceau and Lloyd George disagree over how to treat Germany? c. “The Treaty of Versailles was a fair settlement”. How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. One of…
What was the impact of the Korean War on the course and development of the Cold War?
What was the impact of the Korean War on the course and development of the Cold War? Specifically designed to address a key aspect of the IB syllabus, this provides students with detailed, categorised information and a range of tasks to complete. There are also teacher notes available. (93 views)
The Korean War: Interactive Cartoon analysis
The Korean War: Interactive Cartoon analysis Analyse a series of cartoons by hovering over details and answering exam-style questions. When you have finished, the computer will provide you with a printout comparing your answer to a model answer. A great way to revise and develop sourcework skills. Part of the new ActiveHistory study unit on…
Korean War Fling the Teacher Quiz
Korean War Fling the Teacher Quiz 75 possible questions: I like to get all the students playing it simultaneously, and award 25 points for the first person to finish, 24 for the next, and so on; over the course of a few weeks you can build up a “Fling the Teacher Leaderboard” if you play…
Cartoon story analysis – The Korean War
Consolidation activity [3]: Cartoon story analysis Students take a cartoon story about the war and analyse it for partiality and omissions. Part of the new ActiveHistory study unit on the Korean War. (140 views)
Korean War – Mini-Debates
Mini-Debates Students are placed into prosecution and defence teams to analyse Truman’s handling of the Korean War. There are some completed teacher notes available for this exercise. Part of the new ActiveHistory study unit on the Korean War. (83 views)
Should Truman support MacArthur and commit the USA to a ‘total war’ in Korea?
Should Truman support MacArthur and commit the USA to a ‘total war’ in Korea? Using a variety of sources within a timeline, students decide whether Truman should follow MacArthur’s advice and threated retaliation against China unless they withdraw from Korea. Part of the new ActiveHistory study unit on the Korean War. (80 views)
Containment or Rollback: Should Truman allow MacArthur to take the war over the 38th Parallel into North Korea?
Containment or Rollback: Should Truman allow MacArthur to take the war over the 38th Parallel into North Korea? Students consider nine key primary sources to reach a judgement about whether it would be wise for Truman to take the war into North Korea. Part of the new ActiveHistory study unit on the Korean War. (89…
Korean War – Interactive Newsfeed Exercise
Korean War – Interactive Newsfeed Exercise Students are presented with a series of “newsfeeds” about the Korean War, which they use to complete this worksheet, and then answer a series of questions. Part of the new ActiveHistory study unit on the Korean War. (103 views)
Primary source analysis – causes of the Korean War
Who was responsible for the outbreak of the Korean War? Was Truman right to commit troops to the conflict? Partway through the presentation students will be required to evaluate a series of primary source documents regarding these issues. An additional optional source is extracts from NSC-68. Part of the new ActiveHistory study unit on the…
Who was responsible for the outbreak of the Korean War? Was Truman right to commit troops to the conflict?
Who was responsible for the outbreak of the Korean War? Was Truman right to commit troops to the conflict? An online multimedia presentation which places students into the position of members of Truman’s National Security Council. The teacher guides the students through a series of decision points and they write up their thoughts on a…
To what extent were Stalin’s policies a direct attempt to protect Russia from the threat of another World War?
To what extent were Stalin’s policies a direct attempt to protect Russia from the threat of another World War? In the longer-term, the experience of World War One and the ensuing civil war which followed in its wake was used by Stalin to justify radical actions to protect the country against future threats. The teacher…
What was the immediate political, military, and socio-economic significance of World War One upon Russia?
What was the immediate political, military, and socio-economic significance of World War One upon Russia? Regardless of whether the war was a cause or merely a catalyst for the February Revolution, it certainly had a significant immediate impact upon Russia. The issue which divides historians in this respect is explaining how military and socio-economic developments…
How stable was the Tsarist regime on the eve of World War One?
How stable was the Tsarist regime on the eve of World War One? Politically, one of the major events that occurred in Russia during World War One was the overthrow of the Tsarist regime. Assessing the significance of World War One in this context requires us to consider whether the war CAUSED or merely ACCELERATED…
Origins of World War One: Essay-Planning Generator
This new essay-planning generator helps students consider how five key factors which caused the First World War can be linked in various ways. The computer shuffles the various factors as a pack. It then deals out the first two and connects them using a database of possible links. It then takes the third factor and…
Causes of the Spanish Civil War: Essay Planning Generator
This new essay-planning generator helps students consider how five key factors which caused the Spanish Civil War can be linked in various ways. The computer shuffles the various factors as a pack. It then deals out the first two and connects them using a database of possible links. It then takes the third factor and…
Virtual Reality Images: War Memorials
Tip: Access this page with your smartphone, and click the Google Cardboard icon which will appear on the image. View the image with your VR Headset, and simply shake or nod your head to move to the next image! Part of the “Delivering a World War One Battlefields Trip” resources from ActiveHistory. (140 views)
World War One Battlefields Follow-Up: “Design a Memorial / Visitor Center”
Design a Memorial / Visitor Center [worksheet] Students can also use what they have learned to design their own memorial and visitor center in a group task (“The Commonwealth War Graves commission has decided to create a new memorial and visitor center to commemorate the war. Your task is to formulate your own concept for…
Richard Holmes: War Walks – The Somme (28m) | Student Worksheet | Teacher Answers
Video: Richard Holmes: War Walks – The Somme (28m) | Student Worksheet | Teacher Answers The late, great Richard Holmes is still the best TV military historian. Here’s a video, worksheet and teacher answers on the Battle of the Somme. Part of the comprehensive set of materials on World War One from ActiveHistory. (362 views)
Model Essay: Analyse the causes of the Spanish Civil War
Model Essay: Analyse the causes of the Spanish Civil War A sample essay by RJ Tarr of www.activehistory.co.uk. 40+ Model History Essays by RJ Tarr of www.activehistory.co.uk As well as writing a number of articles for History Review magazine, I make it a habit to write essays in timed conditions whenever I set such assignments…
Analyse the causes and consequences of the Korean War
Model Essay: Analyse the causes and consequences of the Korean War (teacher password required). A sample essay written by RJ Tarr of www.activehistory.co.uk. A sample essay written by RJ Tarr of www.activehistory.co.uk. 40+ Model History Essays by RJ Tarr of www.activehistory.co.uk As well as writing a number of articles for History Review magazine, I make…
In what ways, and with what results, was Germany a source of Cold War tensions between 1945 and 1962?
Model Essays by RJ Tarr: Analyse the roots of the Cold War before 1945 (note: teacher password required). To what extent were conflicting views about Germany the main cause of the Cold War up to 1949? (note: teacher password required). In what ways, and with what results, was Germany a source of Cold War tensions…
Summary revision: Cold War Crises Compared
Cold War Crises Compared A detailed revision summary comparing and contrasting key Cold War crises, with tasks for students to complete. (234 views)
*NEW* Simulation: Can you survive life in the trenches in World War One?
A brand new simulation! “In this simulation you will be a British soldier who joins the army in 1914 to fight the Germans. You will learn about the conditions which soldiers lived and fought in, and the dangers they faced. There is a worksheet to go with this activity which you should complete as you proceed. You…
Cold War – Random Essay Question Generator!
Cold War – Random Essay Question Generator! This tool is desiged to help teachers and students prepare for the IB Paper 2 exam by generating possible questions to practice and discuss. It is based on the command terms and syllabus bullet points provided in the IB syllabus. Use this tool to generate a random question…
World War One: Interactive revision quiz
A new interactive quiz to test chronological understanding. (126 views)
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. (81 views)
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…
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. (197 views)
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. (434 views)
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…
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. (153 views)
The Gulf War Fling the Teacher Quiz
This Fling the Teacher Quiz: The Gulf War is part of the complete scheme of work “Why did Events in the Gulf Matter, 1970-2003?”, designed for IGCSE History. (213 views)
The Iran-Iraq War Fling the Teacher Quiz
This Fling the Teacher Quiz: The Iran-Iraq War is part of the complete scheme of work “Why did Events in the Gulf Matter, 1970-2003?”, designed for IGCSE History. (136 views)
What were the consequences of the First Gulf War?
Part of the IGCSE Paper 2 Study Topic: “Why did Events in the Gulf Matter?” What were the consequences of the First Gulf War? Students use the information provided to provide an infographic about the impact of the First Gulf War, then complete two sourcework questions (“To what extent does Source A prove that the…
Why did the First Gulf War take place?
Part of the IGCSE Paper 2 Study Topic: “Why did Events in the Gulf Matter?” Why did the First Gulf War take place? Focus Point 1: Why did Saddam invade Kuwait? “Listed below are various factors relating to the decision to go to war. Use these to produce TWO brief speeches in role as Saddam:…
To what extent do you agree that there was no victor in the Iran-Iraq war of 1980-88?
Part of the IGCSE Paper 2 Study Topic: “Why did Events in the Gulf Matter?” To what extent do you agree that there was no victor in the Iran-Iraq war of 1980-88? At the end of the war, both the Ayatollah and Saddam claimed victory and historians have continued to debate the reality of the…
Why did the Iran-Iraq War last for so long?
Part of the IGCSE Paper 2 Study Topic: “Why did Events in the Gulf Matter?” Why did the Iran-Iraq War last for so long? Before reading the additional information in the worksheet, students should have made notes from the two short video clips [clip 1 | clip 2], focusing on the question “Why did the Iran-Iraq War…
Sourcework Practice: Causes of the Iran-Iraq War
Part of the IGCSE Paper 2 Study Topic: “Why did Events in the Gulf Matter?” Sourcework Practice: Causes of the Iran-Iraq War 1. According to Source A, why did Saddam Hussein decide to invade Iran in September 1980? TIP: as with any ‘why’ question, provide several reasons, substantiated with quotes from the sources. 2. How reliable is Source B…
What were the causes and consequences of the Iran-Iraq War, 1980-88?
Part of the IGCSE Paper 2 Study Topic: “Why did Events in the Gulf Matter?” What were the causes and consequences of the Iran-Iraq War, 1980-88? Task: A biased government speech explaining the causes of the war On the 22nd September 1980, the longest conventional war of the 20th Century began when Iraq launched an…
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. (170 views)
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. (153 views)
Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech: Did it create, accelerate or merely acknowledge the onset of the Cold War?
Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech: Did it create, accelerate or merely acknowledge the onset of the Cold War? In March 1946, Churchill gave a famous speech before President Truman at Fulton, Missouri. By this time there were communist governments in Poland, Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania. He used the phrase “Iron Curtain” to describe the European…
Essay Planning Exercise: Analyse the roots of the Cold War before 1945 | Completed model essay
Essay Planning Exercise: Analyse the roots of the Cold War before 1945 | Completed model essay To ensure that students are sufficiently prepared for any Cold War question that comes up, we spend time writing up a carefully considered answer to the key question. Students will write this answer as a timed essay in the…
“Living Graph” Exercise: Steps to the Cold War before 1945: Relations between East and West
“Living Graph” Exercise: Steps to the Cold War before 1945: Relations between East and West From your completed studies, choose FIVE pre-war events, and FIVE wartime events, to complete this ‘living graph’. A suggestion about the Russian Revolution has been added to give students an idea about how to approach this. Part of the new…
Cold War – Historical Context, 1917-39
Historical Context, 1917-39 Students are presented with a detailed, interactive timeline of events and two key questions for consideration: 1: Was the Nazi-Soviet Pact proof that the West were right to distrust Stalin all along, or was it the direct and unfortunate result of that distrust? 2: Based on Question 1, who was therefore more…
Video Worksheet for Episode 1 of the CNN “Cold War” Series (covering the period 1917-44)
Video Worksheet for Episode 1 of the CNN “Cold War” Series (covering the period 1917-44). Students use this worksheet whilst watching the first 30 minutes of the Episode 1 of the CNN “Cold War” series (available on DVD) prior to a factual test. They are encouraged to consider such questions as “Who was responsible?” and…
Long-term roots of the Cold War before 1945 – Study Guide with past examination questions / syllabus details
Study Guide with past examination questions / syllabus details The first half of the 20th century was dominated by the “European Civil War” of 1914-45, which left the continent broken and exhausted. The second half of the century was characterised by the “Cold War” between the two superpowers who emerged from the wreckage: the USSR…
Gifts and Christmas Cards of World War One
In this new stand-alone lesson, the teacher will start by delivering this ActiveHistory Teacher Presentation (which comes complete with a useful video clip) to outline some of the gifts that were marketed to soldiers in World War One. The main task involves deciding how to categorise these 30 Xmas cards from World War One. Students should cut them…
