The sinking of the Rainbow Warrior, codenamed Opération Satanique, was an operation by the “action” branch of the French foreign intelligence services, the Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure (DGSE), carried out on July 10, 1985. It aimed to sink the flagship of the Greenpeace fleet, the Rainbow Warrior in the port of Auckland, New…
Author: Russel Tarr
70 years ago (10 Jul 1940) World War II: The Battle of Britain began
The Battle of Britain (German: Luftschlacht um England or Luftschlacht um Großbritannien, literally “Air battle for England” or “Air battle for Great Britain”) is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940. The objective of…
200 years ago (9 Jul 1810): Napoleon annexed Holland and made his brother Louis its King
200 years ago (9 Jul 1810) Napoleon annexed Holland and made his brother Louis its King
Civil Rights Movement – Individual Research Project: “Fakebook” Profile of a civil rights campaigner
Students are allocated or choose one of the musicians, sportsmen or politicians to research in more depth. They will present their work in the form of a “Fakebook” profile using the application based at www.classtools.net.
50 years ago (6 Jul 1960) Death of Aneurin (‘Nye’) Bevan, British politician responsible for establishing the National Health Service
(‘Nye’) Bevan was the British politician responsible for establishing the National Health Service.
The Civil Rights Movement – Overview of civil rights campaigners
Students are given groups of politicians, musicians and sportsmen. Their job is to use Google Images to locate a picture of each person and paste them into the document. As they do so they start thinking about which character they would like to research in more depth if given the opportunity.
Civil Rights Movement: Powerpoint Starter – What’s going on in this image?
Students are presented with a partly obscured image. Can they tell what’s going on? When it was taken? What’s the mood of the people present? They are then shown the rest of the picture. A powerful way of stressing that although slavery had long been abolished by the 1930s, racial prejudice and violence was all…
Historical Anniversaries for July 2011
200 years ago (5 Jul 1810) Birth of P.T. Barnum, American showman and circus founder 50 years ago (6 Jul 1960) Death of Aneurin (‘Nye’) Bevan, British politician responsible for establishing the National Health Service 200 years ago (9 Jul 1810) Napoleon annexed Holland and made his brother Louis its King 70 years ago (10…
Medieval Cathedrals: Interactive Game
In this brand new activity, students answer a series of questions asked by King Henry II. Based on the quality of the responses he then decides how likely he is to let them build a cathedral. Complete with a worksheet and a live “leaderboard” to build up a sense of competition, this is a great…
Keyword Checker: Compare and Contrast the reigns of Tsar Alexander II and Tsar Alexander III.
Students paste their essay into this interface and get a score based on how many keywords they have included. Excellent for ensuring topic coverage at first-draft phase.
25 years ago today (22nd June 1986) The ‘Hand of God’ goal – Argentine footballer Diego Maradona scored a goal against England using his hand in the quarter-final of the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City.
25 years ago today (22nd June 1986) The ‘Hand of God’ goal – Argentine footballer Diego Maradona scored a goal against England using his hand in the quarter-final of the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City.
70 years ago today (22nd June 1941) World War II: Operation Barbarossa – Germany invaded the Soviet Union
70 years ago today (22nd June 1941) World War II: Operation Barbarossa – Germany invaded the Soviet Union
150 years ago today (19th June 1861): Birth of Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig, British field marshal who commanded Britain’s forces in France during WWI
150 years ago today (19th June 1861): Birth of Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig, British field marshal who commanded Britain’s forces in France during WWI
Keyword Checker: What were the main causes of tension in Palestine c.1914-1939?
Students paste their essay into this interface and get a score based on how many keywords they have included. Excellent for ensuring topic coverage at first-draft phase.
50 years ago today (16th June 1961): Soviet ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev defected to the West while on tour with the Kirov Ballet in Paris
50 years ago today (16th June 1961): Soviet ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev defected to the West while on tour with the Kirov Ballet in Paris
Keyword Checker: What was the legacy of the Spanish Civil War?
Students paste their essay into this interface and get a score based on how many keywords they have included. Excellent for ensuring topic coverage at first-draft phase.
200 years ago today (14th June 1811): Birth of Harriet Beecher Stowe, American abolitionist and novelist (‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’)
200 years ago today (14th June 1811): Birth of Harriet Beecher Stowe, American abolitionist and novelist (‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’)
20 years ago today (12th June 1991): Boris Yeltsin became the first directly elected President of Russia. (Inaugurated 10th July)
20 years ago today (12th June 1991): Boris Yeltsin became the first directly elected President of Russia. (Inaugurated 10th July)
Interactive Quiz for IB History: The Middle East 1945-1979
A new revision quiz which can be played by students as independent revision or as a classroom group challenge.
Fakebook – New Helpsheet
I’ve created a double-sided handout that can be used as a helpsheet for students using “Fakebook” for the first time.
250 years ago today (7th June 1761): Birth of John Rennie, Scottish civil engineer, built bridges, canals, docks and harbours throughout Britain
250 years ago today (7th June 1761): Birth of John Rennie, Scottish civil engineer, built bridges, canals, docks and harbours throughout Britain.
The Middle East Crisis c.1945-1979 (Revision): Debate: Does Israel only exist because of the support of the West?
In this structured debate, students are placed into two teams to formulate questions from their opponents designed to prove their case using references to all the major periods covered by the syllabus. The arguments and evidence put forward, and the synthesis reached, is a useful revision aid.
The Middle East Crisis c.1945-1979 (Revision): Mapwork: The growth of Israel
Mapwork: The growth of Israel. In this exercise, students firstly label all of the key regions and areas onto a large map. Then, in a series of smaller maps they shade the territory occupied by Israel over time by referring to a list of key points.
The Middle East Crisis c.1945-1979 (Revision): Timeline of Key Events: Match the Dates
Timeline of Key Events: Match the Dates. An overview of the entire period, chronologically arranged but with no dates provided. Students see how many of the events they can correctly identify. The completed teacher version is also available.
“Renaissance Day” – a whole-school, cross-curricular project
At the International School of Toulouse, Year 8 students (aged 13-14) are taken off-timetable during the summer term for what we call “Renaissance Day“. The event is popular with both teachers and students. It promotes cross-curricular awareness, gets students working effectively as teams, develops analytical ability and improves presentational skills. The resources to develop your…
The Middle East Crisis c.1945-1979 (Revision): Picture Round and Terminology Quiz
Picture Round and Terminology Quiz. Students are instructed to locate some pictures of key characters, and produce quiz questions that can be turned into an interactive revision exercise at www.classtools.net.
Historical Anniversaries for June 2011
50 years ago today (6th June 1961) Death of Carlth Juneg, Swiss psychiatrist and psychologist, founder of analytical psychology 250 years ago today (7th June 1761) Birth of John Rennie, Scottish civil engineer, built bridges, canals, docks and harbours throughout Britain 20 years ago today (12th June 1991) Boris Yeltsin became the first directly elected…
50 years ago today (25th May 1961): U.S. President John F. Kennedy gave his famous ‘man on the moon’ speech
50 years ago today (25th May 1961): U.S. President John F. Kennedy gave his famous ‘man on the moon’ speech, in which he urged Congress and America to commit itself, before the end of the decade, to landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth
Medieval Cathedral Building: Worksheet
This new workpack gets students to think about the layout, design and engineering of Medieval Cathedrals. They learn about the terminology of Church architecture, watch video clips and make deductions from paintings from the Middle Ages showing church building.
The Middle East Crisis c.1945-1979 (Revision) Overview test of the entire period, 1945-1979
In this worksheet, students are provided with a “mega summary” on one sheet of paper as a “gap fill” exercise. Covering the major events down the page, broken into columns which compare the role of Jews, Arabs and the International Community, this is an invaluable resource to help students refresh their memories and see the…
Causes of the Spanish Civil War: Keyword Checker
Students paste their essay into this interface and get a score based on how many keywords they have included. Excellent for ensuring topic coverage at first-draft phase.
Essay Keyword Checker: Why did Hitler become Chancellor of Germany?
This tool allows students to check the first draft of their essay to determine how many keywords have been included within it. As such it’s a useful way of ensuring that the essential background knowledge has been worked into the essay.
100 years ago today (18th May 1911): Death of Gustav Mahler
100 years ago today (18th May 1911): Death of Gustav Mahler, Austrian composer and conductor
Sourcework examination: The Yom Kippur War and its Aftermath
An exercise to develop sourcework skills in the style of the IB examination. There are also some model answers available.
Jack the Ripper “Wanted” poster template
I’ve just uploaded a template for a “Wanted” Poster which can be used to conclude the Year 9 unit on ““Who was Jack the Ripper?”
History Teachers on Twitter
I have created a (dynamically updating) directory of History Teachers on Twitter. Follow the link to view the directory and to add your own name to it if you wish!
Origins of the Cold War, 1945-49: Telescopic Topic for Revision
I’ve just launched a “telescopic topic” collapsible list (click here) to help my IGCSE students revise for the IGCSE Paper 2 topic on the Origins of the Cold War.
20 years ago today (14th May 1991): Nelson Mandela’s wife Winnie was sentenced to 6 years in jail
20 years ago today (14th May 1991): Nelson Mandela’s wife Winnie was sentenced to 6 years in jail for her part in the kidnapping and beating of 4 youths. (Later reduced to a fine)
Research Task: Nixon, Kissinger, Meir, Sadat, Brezhnev
These five characters are very fascinating in themselves; and as they may well be quoted in the sourcework paper, it makes sense to have a little to say about each one.
“Fill the Gaps” Quiz: The Yom Kippur War
A Quiz. There is also a completed teacher version available.
70 years ago today (10th May 1941): World War II: The last major attack on London during the Blitz
70 years ago today (10th May 1941): World War II: The last major attack on London during the Blitz caused heavy damage to many important buildings, including the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St James’s Palace and Lambeth Palace, several railway stations and hospitals, the British Museum and the Old Bailey. Over 1,300 people were…
Who Am I? Revision Challenge Quiz for IGCSE Modern World History
The “Who Am I?” Interactive team challenge has now been developed to cover some of the main topics in the IGCSE Modern World History syllabus (e.g. Origins of World War One, Peace Treaties, League of Nations, Causes of World War Two, Origins of the Cold War).
125 years ago today (8th May 1886): Coca-Cola first went on sale, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
125 years ago today (8th May 1886): Coca-Cola first went on sale, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
The Yom Kippur War
A series of structured questions to help students make sense of the causes, course and consequence of the Yom Kippur War. There is also a completed teacher version.
The Palestinian Diaspora: Quiz
To test understanding following completion of the previous worksheet.
The Palestinian Diaspora
A worksheet of questions to help students understand the fate of the Palestinians between 1948-1973. A good review exercise. There is also a completed teacher version.
Sourcework Assignment Pack: Weimar Germany
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.
60 years ago today (29th April 1951): Death of Ludwig Wittgenstein
60 years ago today (29th April 1951): Death of Ludwig Wittgenstein, Austrian-born British philosopher, commonly regarded as the greatest philosopher of the 20th century.
25 years ago today (26th April 1986): The world’s worst nuclear accident occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Ukraine, Soviet Union
25 years ago today (26th April 1986): The world’s worst nuclear accident occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Ukraine, Soviet Union.
The Six-Day War – Classroom Debate
Classroom Debate Students use their completed timelines to get into role as different characters from different countries and reach an independent judgement about which of the three key interpretations listed at the outset is the most convincing. They are then given guidance on how to construct a written essay answering the central question. There are…
Historical Anniversaries for May 2011
50 years ago today (1st May 1961) Fidel Castro declared Cuba a socialist state and abolished multi-party elections 80 years ago today (1st May 1931) The Empire State Building in New York City, USA was officially opened 75 years ago today (2nd May 1936) Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie left the country and went into exile…
IGCSE History Revision Quiz for 2011
A new version of the Play Your Dates Right Quiz, complete with a Highscore Board, testing your knowledge of the main events of the period 1871-1949. Great for IGCSE History Revision, including Origins of the Cold War 1945-1949.
Origins of the Cold War to 1949: Revision quiz
71 questions in the databank – choose between Wordshoot, Manic Miner, Flashcards….! Great for revising the IGCSE compulsory sourcework paper in history for this year.
Compare and Contrast the Rise of Mao and Stalin
An article in the style of an IB / A-Level essay, which I have written for History Review, due to be published in March 2011.
75 years ago today (19th April 1936): The Arab Revolt
75 years ago today (19th April 1936): The Arab Revolt (also known as the Great Uprising) began in Palestine, with a general strike that lasted until October.
50 years ago today (17th April 1961): Bay of Pigs invasion, Cuba.
Approximately 1,500 Cuban exiles who opposed Fidel Castro’s regime attempted an invasion, financed and directed by the USA. The invasion failed
IB Revision Quiz – “Who Am I?” interactive team challenge
“Who Am I?” Revision Quiz Students are placed in teams, and have to guess the historical character presented to them through a series of clues. The quicker they identify the character, the more points they gain. A really great way to revise the entire course.
The Six Day War of 1967: Timeline Analysis
Timeline Analysis Students construct a timeline of events broken down into events relating to Jordan, Egypt and Syria. The teacher can then test their understanding using this classroom challenge and this answer sheet.
25 years ago today (14th April 1986): The USA launched major bombing raids on Tripoli and Benghazi in Libya, killing 60 people. (
Libya responded by blowing up a Pan Am passenger jet over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988)
80 years ago today (14th April 1931): The Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed.
King Alfonso XIII left Spain and went into exile in Rome, Italy.
Timeline Challenge: The 1967 6-Day War
In 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 as instructed. 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…
30 years ago today (11th April 1981): Brixton riot, London.
Approximately 5,000 youths rampaged through the streets, attacking police officers, damaging buildings, looting shops and setting cars alight
25 years ago today (7th April 1986): British home computer pioneer Sir Clive Sinclair sold his entire computer product range and the Sinclair brand name to Amstrad
25 years ago today (7th April 1986): British home computer pioneer Sir Clive Sinclair sold his entire computer product range and the Sinclair brand name to Amstrad
20 years ago today (9th April 1991): Georgia declared its independence from the Soviet Union
20 years ago today (9th April 1991): Georgia declared its independence from the Soviet Union
Introduction and Overview – the 6-Day War of 1967
Introduction and Overview Students are introduced to the main debate that they will investigate: Interpretation 1: Israel was acting defensively. This was a pre-emptive strike against Arab armies who were about to invade her. Throughout the conflict Israel acted with admirable restraint. Interpretation 2: Israel was acting aggressively. She deliberately misread the situation to justify…
The Berlin Blockade: Timeline Challenge [Interactive]
This activity is a great way of testing whether students have completed their notes on the Berlin Blockade. Students are presented with a series of information feeds, each one of which contains an error. Students get points for their teams if they identify the error correctly.
“Fakebook” – create your own fake profile for a historical character or event!
I’ve launched a brand new application which allows you to create imaginary profile pages for study purposes. Use “Fakebook” to chart the plot of a book, the development of a character, a series of historical events, the debates and relationships between people, and so on! Great for revision exercises with exam classes: get each student…
Sourcework Assignment Pack: International Relations in the 1930s
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.
Historical Anniversaries for April 2011
10 years ago today (1st April 2001) Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic was arrested in Belgrade for corruption, embezzlement and genocide 25 years ago today (7th April 1986) British home computer pioneer Sir Clive Sinclair sold his entire computer product range and the Sinclair brand name to Amstrad 20 years ago today (9th April 1991)…
50 years ago today (21st March 1961): The Beatles gave their first performance at The Cavern Club, Liverpool
The Beatles gave their first performance at The Cavern Club, Liverpool.
Why did Stalin become leader of the USSR? – essay planning task
Students are provided with a detailed list of factors relating to Stalin’s rise to power. These are organised under 3-5 headings. The following headings might give you some ideas: Political | Economic | Personal | Stalin’s Strengths | Opposition Weaknesses | Stalin’s Successes | Opposition Mistakes | Lenin’s Mistakes | Lenin’s Weaknesses. There is a…
The Suez Crisis: Tension Erupts
The Suez Crisis: Tension Erupts Students consider the causes, events and consequences of the Suez Crisis through a series of sources, including a short video from Andrew Marr’s History of Britain. There are teacher notes available for this activity and evidence slips for the main exercise, as well as YouTube Videos available: [1 – Sevres…
Classroom Display Posters: 40 Key Terms for KS3 History
I print these off onto A3, laminate them and then cut them up to display all around the classroom. A great way to get the important terminology across!
League of Nations in the 1920s: new resources
I’ve added various teacher notes, links to video clips and quizzes to the League of Nations in the 1920s page.
GCSE Modern World History: Video
A 3-minute video I use to give Year 9 students an overview of the course. Further materials for Year 9 options discussions can be found here.
Origins of the Cold War: IGCSE Source pack and resources
I’m in the process of tidying up my resources on the Origins of the Cold War, which is the compulsory Sourcework option at IGCSE in June 2011. In particular there’s a sourcework pack with some practice questions that will hopefully be useful.
The Rise of Stalin: Complete scheme of Work with Teacher Versions
I have launched some detailed worksheets and completed teacher versions on the topic of “Why did Stalin become leader of the USSR?”.
The Suez Crisis: Tension Builds
The Suez Crisis: Tension Builds Students consider the proposal to turn the Suez Canal into an international zone, and the infamous “Sevres Protocol”. They will use two primary sources: Nasser’s rejection of the Western plan and the Sevres Protocol. There are several YouTube videos that can be used: [1 – Czech Arms Deal, USA Anger]…
Sourcework Assignment Pack: The Peace Treaties after World War One
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.
20 years ago (28 Feb. 1991) The Gulf War ended – a ceasefire came into effect at midnight.
The Gulf War ended – a ceasefire came into effect at midnight – for more, click here.
60 years ago (26th Feb. 1951): The U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment: this limited the President to two terms in office.
For more on this topic, click here.
The Suez Crisis: Roleplay Exercise
The Suez Crisis: Roleplay Exercise “In this exercise you will take on the role of a French / British / Israeli civil servant. Each of you will develop a particular area of expertise to share with the rest of the group. The group as a whole will have to decide on some key courses of…
Historical Anniversaries for March 2011
150 years ago today (4th March 1861) Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as the 16th President of the USA 75 years ago today (7th March 1936) Adolf Hitler ordered his troops into the demilitarised zone of the Rhineland, breaking the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact 20 years ago today (14th March 1991) The ‘Birmingham…
Plagiarizr: Free plagiarism detector for teachers
I have developed a new plagiarism checker – simply COPY and PASTE an essay into it, click “check” and then you will get a full breakdown of any plagiarized phrases, with direct hyperlinks to trace where the text was taken from.
The Growth of Political Opposition in the Reign of Alexander II
After this starter activity based around a short story by Turgenev, I hand out a detailed handout outlining the growth of political opposition in the reign of Alexander. Students are encouraged to turn this into an illustrated mindmap. As an extension activity students could complete this worksheet based around Michael Bakunin’s “Catechism for a Revolutionist”
25 years ago (20th Feb. 1986): The USSR launched the Mir space station.
“The Soviets have opened a new phase in space exploration with the launch of the world’s biggest space station, Mir. The successful launch of Mir comes just over three weeks after the American space shuttle Challenger disaster, in which seven astronauts died….more“
150 years ago today (18th Feb. 1861): Jefferson Davis inaugurated as President of the Confederate States
Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as President of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War [more]
The Suez Crisis of 1956 – Background: The Palestinian Refugee Problem after 1948
Background: The Palestinian Refugee Problem after 1948 As a recap on the events prior to 1956, students use their textbooks to learn more about Al-Nakba (“the catastrophe”) for the Palestinians. There are teacher notes available for this activity.
40 years ago (15th Feb. 1971): Britain adopted the decimal currency.
For more on Decimal Day, click here.
The League of Nations in the 1920s: Revision Notes
A new Telescopic Topic created using the facility at www.classtools.net.
