This resource is part of a new roleplay unit for teaching this topic at IB / A-Level. The teacher takes on the role of the Tsar, and the students as his ministers. Over several hours the ‘reformers’ and the ‘reactionaries’ debate the issues whilst the teacher uses the 30-slide presentation to guide the debate and…
Author: Russel Tarr
150 Years Ago Today (9th March 1862) – Merrimack v. the Monitor
American Civil War: the first battle between two ironclad warships – the ‘USS Monitor’ versus the ‘CSS Virginia’, at Hampton Roads, Virginia. Result: indecisive
50 Years Ago Today (7th March 1962): First Beatles Radio Broadcast
The Beatles gave their first performance on BBC radio in the UK, on the show ‘Teenagers’ Turn: Here We Go’. (Recorded 7th March, broadcast 8th)
100 Years Ago Today (7th March 1912): First Paris-London Flight
French aviator Henri Seimet made the first non-stop flight from Paris to London
Propaganda Posters of the Russian Civil War
This PowerPoint is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
200 Years Ago Today (1st March 1812): Birth of Augustus Pugin
Birth of Augustus Pugin, British architect, designer, design theorist and writer, best remembered for his use of the Gothic Revival style in the Palace of Westminster and many churches
War Communism – Lenin’s Russia, Roleplay Unit
This worksheet is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
Lenin’s Testament
This worksheet is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
200 Years Ago Today (27 Feb 1812): Byron’s Maiden Speech
British poet Lord Byron gave his maiden speech in the House of Lords, in which he defended Luddite violence against industrialisation, saying they had been driven to it because they had no other choice.
History Mystery: The Gunpowder Plot
This new “History Mystery” is designed as stand-alone projects which each last 3-4 hours. Through engaging historical topics, they teach skills of problem formulation, deductive reasoning, independent research, groupwork and structured writing.
End of Unit Factual Test (Tsar Alexander III Roleplay Unit)
This resource is part of a new roleplay unit for teaching this topic at IB / A-Level. The teacher takes on the role of the Tsar, and the students as his ministers. Over several hours the ‘reformers’ and the ‘reactionaries’ debate the issues whilst the teacher uses the 30-slide presentation to guide the debate and…
History on TV and Radio: Email Alerts now Available
I have added an email newsletter facility to alert you of the latest history TV programmes coming up!
40 Years Ago Today (21 Feb 1972): Nixon goes to China
U.S. President Richard Nixon became the first president to visit China. His visit led to a significant improvement in U.S. – Chinese relations
Email Newsletter for ActiveHistory now available
If you’d like automatic email alerts whenever something new is added to the ActiveHistory blog, just follow this link!
50 Years Ago Today (20 Feb 1962): First American to orbit the Earth
John Glenn became the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth, making 3 orbits in the space capsule ‘Friendship 7’
The New Economic Policy – Lenin’s USSR
This worksheet is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
Timeline of the Reign (Tsar Alexander III Roleplay Unit)
This resource is part of a new roleplay unit for teaching this topic at IB / A-Level. The teacher takes on the role of the Tsar, and the students as his ministers. Over several hours the ‘reformers’ and the ‘reactionaries’ debate the issues whilst the teacher uses the 30-slide presentation to guide the debate and…
The Kronstadt Rebellion and the Tambov Rebellion
This worksheet is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
The Bolshevik Victory in the Russian Civil War – Lenin’s Russia, Roleplay Unit
This worksheet is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
150 Years Ago Today (11 Feb 1862): Death of Lizzie Siddal
Death of Elizabeth Siddal, British poet, artist and artists’ model. Wife of the artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti and model for Millais’ “Ophelia”
50 Years Ago Today (10 Feb 1962): Gary Powers Released
American spy plane pilot Gary Powers was released from jail in the USSR in an exchange deal with the USA, who released Soviet spy Rudolf Abel.
100 Years Ago Today (10 Feb 1912): Death of Lister
Death of Joseph Lister, British surgeon who pioneered the use of antiseptics in surgery and promoted sterile surgery.
175 Years Ago Today (10 Feb 1837): Death of Pushkin
Death of Aleksandr Pushkin, Russian poet, novelist, dramatist, and short story writer, widely considered to be the greatest Russian poet and the founder of modern Russian literature
Debate Record Sheet (Tsar Alexander III Roleplay Unit)
This resource is part of a new roleplay unit for teaching this topic at IB / A-Level. The teacher takes on the role of the Tsar, and the students as his ministers. Over several hours the ‘reformers’ and the ‘reactionaries’ debate the issues whilst the teacher uses the 30-slide presentation to guide the debate and…
The Red Terror – Lenin’s Russia, Roleplay Unit
This worksheet is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
Debate Preparation Worksheet (Tsar Alexander III Roleplay Unit)
This resource is part of a new roleplay unit for teaching this topic at IB / A-Level. The teacher takes on the role of the Tsar, and the students as his ministers. Over several hours the ‘reformers’ and the ‘reactionaries’ debate the issues whilst the teacher uses the 30-slide presentation to guide the debate and…
“Who Am I?” Challenge – The USSR under Stalin
“Who Am I?” Challenge – The USSR under Stalin 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…
Investigating Racism through De Bono’s “6 Hats” Approach (PSHCE)
In this lesson, the teacher will take the role of someone with a “Green Hat”. If they have not already been decided upon in advance in an assembly, they will choose (or ask the class to vote on) one of the numerous “Imagine a world…” discussion points which are provided (or invent one of their…
Tsar Alexander III Roleplay Unit – 30 Slide Presentation
This resource is part of a new roleplay unit for teaching this topic at IB / A-Level. The teacher takes on the role of the Tsar, and the students as his ministers. Over several hours the ‘reformers’ and the ‘reactionaries’ debate the issues whilst the teacher uses the 30-slide presentation to guide the debate and…
150 Years Ago Today (1 Feb 1862): The Battle Hymn of the Republic
Julia Ward Howe’s poem ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic’ was first published in ‘The Atlantic Monthly’. Set to the music of ‘John Brown’s Body’, it became a popular Union song during the American Civil War
PSHCE: Racism (Assembly Presentation)
In this presentation (which will take roughly 20 minutes), students are given some provocative images, an entertaining video clip, and plenty of ideas to think about and reflect upon prior to the main lesson.
The Treaty of Brest Litovsk – Lenin’s Russia, Roleplay Unit
This worksheet is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
300 Years ago today (24th Jan. 1712): Birth of Frederick the Great
Frederick II’s first act on assuming the throne of Prussia in 1740 was to take his state to war—a consequence, he later explained, of possessing a well-trained army, a full treasury and a desire to establish a reputation. For the next quarter century he confronted Europe in arms and emerged victorious, but at a price…
The Constituent Assembly – Lenin’s Russia, Roleplay Unit
This worksheet is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
75 Years Ago Today (23rd Jan. 1937): Second Moscow Show Trial
The second Moscow show trial (The Trial of the Seventeen) took place. 17 leading Communists were accused of participating in Trotsky’s plot to overthrow Stalin. 13 of them were sentenced to death. The Moscow Trials were a series of show trials conducted in the Soviet Union and orchestrated by Joseph Stalin during the Great Purge…
The 1917 Decrees and the 1918 Constitution – Lenin’s Russia, Roleplay Unit
This worksheet is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
75 Years Ago Today (19th Jan 1937): Howard Hughes breaks the air record
American industrialist, film producer and aviator Howard Hughes broke the U.S. transcontinental air record, flying from Burbank, California to Newark, New Jersey in 7 hours, 28 minutes and 25 seconds. The New York Times report of the event can be found here.
100 Years Ago Today (18th Jan. 1912) – Scott reaches the South Pole
British explorer Robert Falcon Scott’s expedition reached the South Pole, but discovered that Roald Amundsen’s Norwegian team had beaten them by over a month. In addition to Capt. Scott, Lieut. Bowers, and Dr. Wilson, two others, Capt. Titus Oates and Petty Officer Edgar Evans made the final push to the Pole. Conditions were appalling: temperatures…
400 Years Ago Today (17th Jan. 1612) – Birth of Thomas Fairfax
Birth of Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Baron Fairfax of Cameron, English general, commander of the Parliamentary army during the English Civil War. Known as “Black Tom” for his dark complexion, Sir Thomas gained a reputation as a gallant and courageous commander in the struggle to control Yorkshire — but his fortunes were mixed. In March 1643,…
Research Grid – Lenin’s Russia, Roleplay Unit
This worksheet is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
New History – Redesigned, Relaunched!
“New History” is a microsite from ActiveHistory which collates all the Latest History news, tv, podcasts and blog entries in one place – complete with anniversaries / commemorations and a “Quote of the Day”!
“Fakebook” – Gallery of examples for inspiration!
I have created an auto-updating gallery of ‘Fakebook’ examples created by students and teachers around the world in a wide variety of subjects. Why not try Fakebook out with your own classes as a way of getting thinking about timelines of events / biographical summaries and relationships between historical figures?
Who was the Greatest Figure of the Industrial Revolution?
This lesson follows on well from the studies of individuals (see entire unit here). Students consider the big changes – transport, agriculture, smelting and so on – and try to link them together in a meaningful way. I have now added are some samples produced by my own students: Olivia | Hanif | Grace
600 Years Ago Today (6th Jan. 1412) – Birth of Joan of Arc
Birth of Joan of Arc, French martyr, saint and national heroine. (This is the date given in a letter from Lord Perceval de Boullainvilliers. Her actual date of birth is impossible to verify, and she could only estimate her age)
Religious Events in the Early Modern Period – Overview timeline / research task
Religious events in the Early Modern Period Before moving on to the next topic of study, this activity gets students to investigate a wide range of other events going on in Europe at the same time as the Lutheran Reformation. In this way they get a useful overview of the entire period rather than merely…
100 Years Ago Today (5th January 1912): The Bolshevik Party was Formed
Lenin’s Bolshevik faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party broke away from the main party and formed what would later become the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. The Bolsheviks were born out of Russia’s Social Democrat Party. When the party split in 1903, the Bolsheviks only had one obvious leader – Lenin. In…
The Lutheran Reformation: Designing a Movie Poster / Trailer
A Powerpoint template getting students to match historical characters from the timeline of Luther’s life to real actors. A completed version is also available, along with a movie trailer produced recently by one of my students. For the full unit, click here.
Essay Planning: The October Revolution
A worksheet to help students plan their essay assignment. A completed teacher version is also available.
Primary Source Analysis: Was the October Revolution a popular uprising, or a coup d’etat?
A worksheet activity designed to get students thinking about the key historiographical debate.
Mussolini’s Italy: Two model essays on his domestic policies
Two model essays, written by RJ Tarr to help students understand how to structure an effective essay: 1. How Fascist was Fascist Italy? 2. How Successful were Mussolini’s Domestic Policies?
Factual Test: The Provisional Government and the October Revolution
A student test; there is also a completed teacher version available.
Mussolini’s Italy: Essential Teacher Notes on all key policy areas
A series of notes [1][2][3] to help teachers with their planning and preparation.
The Provisional Government and the October Revolution – Structured Narrative
This resource is designed to get students turning their timeline into a thematic analysis. A completed teacher version is also available.
Fascist Italy under Mussolini: Conclusions about the nature of Fascism
A PowerPoint presentation getting students to reflect on the nature of Fascism.
10 Years Ago Today (29th Nov 2001): Death of George Harrison
Death of George Harrison, British rock guitarist, singer and songwriter (The Beatles)
25 Years Ago Today (29th Nov 1986): Death of Cary Grant
Death of Cary Grant, British-born American film actor (‘Bringing Up Baby’, ‘Gunga Din’, ‘His Girl Friday’, ‘The Philadelphia Story’, ‘To Catch A Thief’, ‘North by Northwest’, and more)
Timeline Task – The Provisional Government and the October Revolution
A student worksheet; a completed teacher version is also available.
Fascist Italy under Mussolini: Primary Sources
A series of primary sources to help students with their essay planning task.
75 Years Ago Today (25th Nov. 1936): Anti-Comintern Pact
Germany and Japan signed the Anti-Comintern Pact, an agreement to collaborate against the threat of Soviet Communism
20 years ago today (24th Nov 1991): Death of Freddie Mercury
Death of Freddie Mercury, Zanzibar-born British rock singer and songwriter (Queen)
Historiography – The Provisional Government and the October Revolution
A resource to familiarise students with the historiographical issues.
75 Years Ago Today (20th Nov. 1936): Death of Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera
Death of Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera, Spanish politician, founder of the Spanish fascist party, the Falange. (Executed)
Rule of Mussolini: Picture Quiz
A picture quiz designed to precede a more detailed factual test.
200 Years Ago Today (16th Nov 1811): Birth of John Bright
Birth of John Bright, British politician and political reformer, co-founder of the Anti-Corn Law League, and a campaigner for free trade
The Provisional Government / October Revolution: Overview
A worksheet to introduce the topic. Teacher notes are also available.
Rule of Mussolini: What is Fascism?
A worksheet to help students analyse Fascism through primary sources.
Raising the Profile of History in School: #historychat
#historychat is a live one-hour “chat” on Twitter inviting history teachers from all over the world to share ideas and resources which help to develop source analysis skills in the history classroom. #historychat is currently moderated by Russel Tarr in Europe and Bill Chapman in the USA. Bill is actively involved in #sschat, which has…
25 Years Ago Today (8th Nov 1986): Death of Vyacheslav Molotov, Russian statesman and diplomat
Death of Vyacheslav Molotov, Russian statesman and diplomat
150 Years Ago Today (7th Nov. 1861): American Civil War: Battle of Belmont, Missouri
American Civil War: Battle of Belmont, Missouri. A minor battle with an inconclusive outcome, but notable as it was Ulysses S. Grant’s first experience of battlefield command. (He would later become commander of the Union Army, and U.S. President)
25 Years Ago Today (6th Nov 1986): Alex Ferguson was appointed manager of Manchester United FC
Alex Ferguson was appointed manager of Manchester United FC
The Causes and Events of the French Revolution: Condensed Study Unit
The full study unit covering the causes and the events of the French Revolution takes up to 15 hours. However, in this condensed study unit, designed to last about 7 hours, students will learn about the main causes of the French Revolution. The Three Estates System, the mistakes of King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, the…
Source Analysis Skills in History: #historychat
#historychat is a live one-hour “chat” on Twitter inviting history teachers from all over the world to share ideas and resources which help to develop source analysis skills in the history classroom. #historychat is currently moderated by Russel Tarr in Europe and Bill Chapman in the USA. Bill is actively involved in #sschat, which has…
100 Years Ago Today (1st Nov 1911): The first aerial bombing raid
The first aerial bombing raid. In the Italo-Turkish War, Italian pilot Giulio Gavotti dropped 4 small bombs on Turkish troops in Libya
400 Years Ago Today: (1st Nov 1611): ‘The Tempest’ was first performed
William Shakespeare’s play ‘The Tempest’ was first performed, at Whitehall Palace, London, UK
50 Years ago Today (31 Oct 1961) – Stalin’s body removed from Lenin’s Mausoleum
De-Stalinisation: former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin’s body was removed from Lenin’s mausoleum in Red Square, Moscow and reburied within the Kremlin walls, out of public view.
The French Revolution: A New Condensed Study Unit
The full study unit covering the causes and the events of the French Revolution takes up to 15 hours. However, in this condensed study unit, designed to last about 7 hours, students will learn about the main causes of the French Revolution. The Three Estates System, the mistakes of King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, the…
Cross-Curricular Projects through History – #historychat
#historychat is a live one-hour “chat” on Twitter inviting history teachers from all over the world to share ideas and resources which help to develop source analysis skills in the history classroom. #historychat is currently moderated by Russel Tarr in Europe and Bill Chapman in the USA. Bill is actively involved in #sschat, which has…
50 Years Ago Today (25 Oct 1961): The British satirical magazine ‘Private Eye’ was first published
Private Eye is a fortnightly British satirical and current affairs magazine, edited by Ian Hislop. Since its first publication in 1961, Private Eye has been a prominent critic and lampooner of public figures and entities that it deemed guilty of any of the sins of incompetence, inefficiency, corruption, pomposity or self-importance and it has become…
20 Years Ago Today (24 Oct 1991): Death of Gene Roddenberry
Death of Gene Roddenberry, American screenwriter and producer, creator of ‘Star Trek’
10 Years Ago Today (23 Oct 2001): Apple Computer released the first iPod digital music player
Apple Computer released the first iPod digital music player
#historychat on Twitter – Technology in the History Classroom
#historychat is a live one-hour “chat” on Twitter inviting history teachers from all over the world to share ideas and resources which help to develop source analysis skills in the history classroom. #historychat is currently moderated by Russel Tarr in Europe and Bill Chapman in the USA. Bill is actively involved in #sschat, which has…
Hitler’s Foreign Policy Simulation – Now with a live leaderboard
I’ve developed the ‘Hitler’s Foreign Policy’ simulation to incorporate a live high score board. In this way teachers can easily monitor the performance of students playing the game and focus on those whose factual test score declines during the game.
50 Years ago today (17 Oct 1961): Algerian War – Paris massacre
Algerian War – Paris massacre: French police attacked Algerian protesters who were staging a peaceful demonstration in Paris. (The exact number of Algerians killed is unknown – at least 40, but possibly more than 200)
10 Years Ago Today (16 Oct 2001): Galileo visits Jupiter’s moon Io
NASA’s Galileo spacecraft flew within 112 miles (181 km) of Jupiter’s moon Io, sending back images and data
How to set up a QR Code Treasure Hunt
A QR-Code Treasure Hunt is a fun, simple way to get students using their mobile devices to continue learning outside of lesson time. Here’s how we set one up at the International School of Toulouse with some guidance on how to do the same with your own students using the QR Treasure Hunt Generator at…
Keyword Checker: What caused the February Revolution?
30 keywords are provided. If a student CUTS and PASTES their essay into the tool, it will then proceed to tell them how many of these keywords are currently included in it and which need to be added.
25 Years Ago Today (12 Oct 1986): Cold War – Reykjavik summit
The Reykjavik summit in Iceland, aimed at reducing the nuclear arsenals of the USA and USSR, ended in failure. U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev failed to reach agreement on the USA’s Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI) – also known as ‘Star Wars’
Classtools.net Quizzes: Events of the American Civil War
A range of interactive quizzes to test understanding.
QR Code Treasure Hunt: The Events of the American Civil War
Print off these 20 QR codes and put them up around your classroom / school. Students have to answer as many questions as they can in the time available. The completed answers can be used to develop their individual research project stemming from the interactive simulation.
What should we call the American Civil War?
Students are presented with a long list of alternative names that have been used for the American Civil War. They organise these into suggested categories, compare their ideas with a partner, and then choose what they feel is the best alternative title.
20 Years Ago Today (24th Sep. 1991): Death of Dr. Seuss
Death of Theodor Geisel, ‘Dr. Seuss’, popular American children’s writer, illustrator and film-maker (‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’, ‘The Cat in the Hat’, ‘Green Eggs and Ham’, and many more)
20 Years Ago Today (24th Sep. 1991): Nirvana release ‘Nevermind’
The American rock band Nirvana released the album ‘Nevermind’.
What can we learn from the songs of the Civil War?
In this activity, students analyse the lyrics (and, if possible, listen to the music) of popular Confederate and Unionist songs from the civil war. They then have to produce their own civil war song to a civil-war era tune of their choice. Their objective is to produce a song which clearly explains the causes of…
20 Years Ago Today (19th Sep. 1991): Discovery of Otzi the Iceman
Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,300-year-old mummified body, was discovered by a tourist in the Tirolean Alps on the Italian-Austrian border.
Timeline Challenge: The Causes of the American Civil War
For this activity, organise the class 5 teams. Display the first event by clicking the button. All the students should copy this information into their worksheet. The first team can play for up to 10 points depending on their confidence. They have to not only identify the mistake in the account, but correct it. If…
40 Years ago today (15th September 1971): Greenpeace Founded
Greenpeace, the international environmental group, was founded in Vancouver, Canada
History Mystery: The Causes of the American Civil War
This unit is in the form of an ActiveHistory Mystery. Through a roleplay, stimulus images and information slips, students formulate questions, speculate answers, then research for themselves to produce a report which is then peer-assessed against a standard markscheme. The full investigation takes 2 hours of classroom time and at least another hour of individual…
30 Years Ago Today (10th Sep. 1981): Guernica returns to Spain
The USA returned Pablo Picasso’s painting ‘Guernica’ to Spain. Picasso had refused to allow it to return until democracy had been restored. It was put on display in Spain on 25th Oct – the centenary of Picasso’s birth.
Model Essay: Compare and contrast the rise to power of two single party state rulers
This short study unit should end with students writing an essay on the subject of “Compare and Contrast the Rise to Power of Two Single Party State Rulers” (focusing on Mao and Pinochet). I have written a model essay on this subject myself which is available in the teacher resources area.
Feedback: Comparing and Contrasting the Rise of Two Single Party State Rulers
Students then get into pairs and small groups to compare their approaches to the previous task. There is a lengthy list of “discussion points” provided too in this worksheet designed to get them thinking more (e.g. the USA opposed Mao, but failed to prevent his rise; but they favoured Pinochet, who succeeded. Why the difference?)….
