Visual Essay-Writing Exercise: The Manchurian and Abyssinian Crises | Manchuria Cartoons | Abyssinia Cartoons Break the class into two groups. One will focus on the first crisis, one on the second. They should then construct an essay about the causes, course and consequences of their allocated crisis using the cartoons about Manchuria or Abyssinia as appropriate.
Category: 1900-2000 (GCSE History)
New Simulation: Hitler’s Foreign Policy in the 1930s
This new simulation is designed to help students form an opinion as to whether Hitler was a gambler or a planner in foreign affairs, and how far his foreign policy objectives could be justified. It comes complete with work pack, media clips, and a ‘save game’ feature. Part of the International Relations in the 1930s…
Conclusions and Essay Planning: Cold War Crises and Leaders to 1964
Conclusions and Essay Planning: Cold War Crises and Leaders to 1964 Students are provided with eight possible essay questions from past examination papers, along with indicative content. These should be shared among the members of the class to tackle. Part of the scheme of work on JFK’s Foreign Policy at ActiveHistory.
“How secure was the USSR’s control over Eastern Europe, 1948-c.1989?” – Complete scheme of work!
I’ve just finished launching this new page for ActiveHistory subscribers covering the Paper 2 twentieth century option for exams in Summer 2022. I’ll be adding even further to it in the new year when I teach it as my final topic with my cohort!
Music genres since the 1960s
An online presentation to help students design their own music festival poster.
Design your ultimate music festival!
Teen music fashions since the 1960s: can you design your ultimate festival line-up? | Sample poster | More sample posters In this activity you will learn about some of the most important music genres that developed from the 1960s onwards. You will use what you learn to produce your own personal music festival with the very best bands, and…
US withdrawal from Afghanistan – FREE topical lessons
US withdrawal from Afghanistan – FREE topical lessons I’ve put together a couple of activities to help students understand what’s been going on in Afghanistan recently and how the West should now rethink its policy there. They’re primarily designed for my 15-16 year old form group rather than my IB Historians but they could be…
“Life in the Trenches” simulation – factual test
Follow-up factual test (20 questions) This factual test ensures that students completed the worksheet from the simulation and learned the information properly.
Online Presentation: What were the essential causes of World War One?
Online Presentation: What were the essential causes of World War One? This short presentation is designed to provide students with an essential overview of the main causes of the war in a single lesson. I don’t teach this in any more detail at this stage as the causes of the war are a key part…
New Simulation: Weimar Germany 1921-29
Weimar Germany Decision Making Game – Part 2: 1921-29 [Interactive] complete with follow-up factual test.This simulation is a great way of introducing or revising the issues surrounding Weimar Germany in the years 1921-29. Each of the 7 key decision points covers a different issue. By working through the activity and completing the worksheet, students will learn about the…
Weimar Germany 1918-21: Fling the Teacher
A new fling the teacher quiz to follow on from the brand-new interactive simulation on ActiveHistory.
New Simulation: Weimar Germany 1918-21
Weimar Germany Decision-Making Game – Part 1: 1918-21 [Interactive] A brand new version of the popular decision making game. Each of the 5 key decision points covers a different issue. By working through the activity and completing the worksheet, students will learn about the diplomatic, economic, social and political problems faced by the Republic, and consider how successfully…
Civil Rights to 1964 – revision quiz (60 questions)
A new “Fling the Teacher” quiz for IB Paper 1 Rights and Protest, with SIXTY possible questions!
New Simulation: Can you Survive the Wall St. Crash?!
Interactive Decision-Making SimulationCan you survive the Wall Street Crash?“In this interactive simulation, you will be invited to “play the stock market”. In this way will learn about how a Crash can occur. You will be given a series of situations. You must decide if each one will: lead to share prices rising ( = so…
League in the 1920s: Factual Test
A new factual test to accompany the brand new interactive simulation on ActiveHistory.
New Simulation: The League of Nations in the 1920s
In this new multimedia simulation students will take on the role of an ambitious civil servant, working for the British government. They will offer advice about how ministers should try to improve international stability. A structured worksheet guides students through 12 key issues: 4 relating to border disputes, 4 relating to social affairs, and 4…
New IGCSE History Hub on ActiveHistory!
New IGCSE History Hub on ActiveHistory! I’ve finally got round to putting together a new landing page for IGCSE History students and teachers on ActiveHistory. It contains direct links to scores of schemes of work for the most popular IGCSE options and much else besides. Let me know if you have any suggestions for improvements!
Historiography of the Vietnam War – Summary / Task Sheet
A detailed summary sheet analysing the ways in which different historians have debated whether the US was right to get involved in the Vietnam War and, once they did so, whether they ever had any realistic prospects of victory. This resource can be found on the Vietnam War unit page of ActiveHistory.
Model Essay: Analyse the Causes of the Korean War
Model Essay: Analyse the Causes of the Korean War A model essay focusing closely on the use of historiography and making particular reference to the role played by the Chinese and the Soviet Union.
Is the greatest hindrance to peace the UN, Israel, or the Palestinians? | Teacher Answers
Is the greatest hindrance to peace the UN, Israel, or the Palestinians? | Teacher Answers To bring the topic fully up-to-date, students consider the divisions in the PLO (Hamas / Fatah), the UN (Security Council / General Assembly) and in Israel (Likud / Labor) and decide based on this information who is most responsible for…
Detailed Summary Sheet: The Arab-Israeli Conflict since 1945
Detailed Summary Sheet: The Arab-Israeli Conflict since 1945 This summary sheet is completed up to 1978. The remaining rows are left deliberately blank for students to complete based on the most recent lessons in the unit.
Events since 1979: Decision Making Exercise | Multimedia Slideshow
Events since 1979: Decision Making Exercise | Multimedia Slideshow Students are provided with a detailed breakdown of the key events which took place after Camp David, and for each one students are presented with a decision point from either an Israeli or an Arab perspective to discuss before being provided by the teacher in the…
The Camp David Agreement | Teacher Presentation
The Camp David Agreement | Teacher Presentation “The stalemate which resulted from the Yom Kippur war produced a balance of power between the two sides that made genuine compromise possible. Conduct your own research on each of these questions. Your teacher will lead a feedback session using a PowerPoint presentation afterwards”.
Factual Test: The October War
Factual Test: The October War Twenty questions in a gap-fill exercise, complete with teacher answers.
Events / Consequences of the October War
Events / Consequences of the October War Students are provided with 20 essential points of information which they need to categorise into three rows (Why were the Arab armies initially so successful? / Why did they nevertheless fail to secure an outright victory? / What were the consequences?) and then subdivide into different categories (USA…
Causes of the October War
Causes of the October War “As a result of the 1967 war, Egypt lost Gaza and Sinai, Syria the Golan Heights; Jordan lost the West Bank and East Jerusalem. UN Security Council Resolution 242(1967) told Israel’s to return these lands, and for Arabs to respect the right of Israel to exist. However, the Arabs refused…
ActiveHistory Simulations: New Searchable Database
This new searchable database provides you with full access to scores of online history simulations and other interactive resources to use with your classes. All come complete with student worksheets and teacher support materials.
Did the actions of the PLO advance or undermine the Palestinian cause, 1970-1976? | Teacher notes
Did the actions of the PLO advance or undermine the Palestinian cause, 1970-1976? | Teacher notes Students are put into two groups – Arabs and Israelis – to debate whether the actions of the PLO in the period 1970-1976 (Black September, Munich Olympics, Arafat of the UN, Operation Entebbe) advanced or undermined the Palestinian cause….
The 1967 Six-Day War: Events/Consequences
Events and Consequences of the 6-Day War The causes for the Israeli victory, plus the long-term international consequences and for the Palestinians in particular, are covered in this lesson activity.
The 1967 Six-Day War: Causes
Causes of the 6-Day War | Teacher Notes Students have to analyse a detailed timeline to determine how the four main combatant nations could be held mainly responsible for the outbreak of the war in 1967.
The Suez Crisis of 1956
The Suez Crisis of 1956 Multimedia decision-making exercise (double-lesson) This unit guides students step-by-step through the causes, events and consequences of the Suez Crisis. It also makes reference to the Sevres Protocol. Part of the new IGCSE Paper 1 Scheme of Work on the Arab-Israeli Conflict
What were the results of the 1948 war?
What were the results of the 1948 war? This exercise focuses particularly on “Al Nakba” (“The Catastrophe”) – the Palestinian refugee crisis, with a discussion about whether the Palestinians have the ‘right to return’ to their lands in present-day Israel. Part of the new IGCSE Paper 1 Scheme of Work on the Arab-Israeli Conflict
Why did Israel win the 1948 war?
Why did Israel win the 1948 war? By analysing a timeline of events and watching some multimedia clips, students are challenged to find three key reasons why the Israelis won, and to link them. Part of the new IGCSE Paper 1 Scheme of Work on the Arab-Israeli Conflict
What territorial changes took place as a result of the 1948 war?
The Arab-Israeli War of 1948 What territorial changes took place as a result of the 1948 war? Students are given an overview of the main events, and two ‘before and after’ maps to draw some initial conclusions from. Part of the new IGCSE Paper 1 Scheme of Work on the Arab-Israeli Conflict
Civil War in Palestine, 1947-1948
Civil War in Palestine, 1947-1948 The UN General Assembly (and the Jewish leadership in Palestine) voted to accept the UNSCOP partition plan in November 1947. The Arabs though rejected it. The outcome of this conflict was the first wave of Palestinian refugees, which remains one of the central problems in the region today. Students investigate…
UNSCOP and the United Nations Partition Plan
UNSCOP and the United Nations Partition Plan What really happened? Students consider, based on their own discussions, the merits and drawbacks of the actual partition plan settled upon by UNSCOP. Part of the new IGCSE Paper 1 Scheme of Work on the Arab-Israeli Conflict
1947 roleplay part 2: Task for the “Judges”
UNSCOP and the United Nations Partition Plan 1947 roleplay part 2: Task for the “Judges” “Three people in the class will be in role as members of the UN. They will have to vote later on which of the proposals presented to them is the most likely to bring lasting peace to the region. In…
1947 roleplay part 2: Task for the “Arabs” and “Jews”
UNSCOP and the United Nations Partition Plan 1947 roleplay part 2: Task for the “Arabs” and “Jews” “UNSCOP reported back in September 1947 proposing that Palestine should be divided into two separate states, with economic unity. In this exercise, you will draw up your own partition plan, and compare it to that decided upon by…
1947 roleplay part 1: How should Palestine be divided between Arabs and Jews? | Accompanying Maps
UNSCOP and the United Nations Partition Plan 1947 roleplay part 1: How should Palestine be divided between Arabs and Jews? | Accompanying Maps In February 1947, UNSCOP (the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine) was set up to work out a solution for the future of Palestine. As the violence escalated, the committee considered 6 possible solutions….
End of topic factual test: 20 questions on the British mandate in Palestine
Why did Britain give up its Mandate in Palestine? End of topic factual test: 20 questions on the British mandate in Palestine | Teacher Version A factual test drawing toge the key events so far studied, in the form of a ‘fill the gaps’ timeline. Part of the new IGCSE Paper 1 Scheme of Work on the…
End of topic examination-style test: the British mandate in Palestine | Teacher Version
Why did Britain give up its Mandate in Palestine? End of topic examination-style test: the British mandate in Palestine | Teacher Version Students are provided with a range of past examination questions on the British mandate in Palestine in the IGCSE “(a) Describe, (b) Explain, (c) Assess” format for Paper 1, and a template to help them…
Tensions in Palestine 1945-1947 | Teacher Version
Why did Britain give up its Mandate in Palestine? Reason 3: Tensions in Palestine 1945-1947 | Teacher Version “Cut and paste each of the following events into the correct column. (US Pressure upon Britain | British (Empire) pressures | Jewish pressure upon Britain | Arab pressure upon Britain). If you have sufficient time, add a few relevant…
Tensions in Palestine Increase: World War Two and the Holocaust
Why did Britain give up its Mandate in Palestine? Reason 2: Tensions in Palestine Increase: World War Two and the Holocaust Students complete a detailed worksheet by watching a 35-minute video documentary about the Holocaust. Part of the new IGCSE Paper 1 Scheme of Work on the Arab-Israeli Conflict
Tensions in Palestine before 1939: Palestinians and Jews
Why did Britain give up its Mandate in Palestine? Reason 1: Tensions in Palestine before 1939: Palestinians and Jews | Teacher Version Students are provided with a ‘fill the gaps’ exercise and are then asked to identify from this three key reasons why Palestine was a source of tension even before the outbreak of World War Two….
Introduction and Overview: The Arab-Israeli Conflict since 1945
Introduction and Overview: The Arab-Israeli Conflict since 1945 Students are provided with a narrative overview of the conflict, with the “hook” being the tragic events of September 11th 2001. This is explained in the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict and students are provided with a diagram and supporting questions to help them put this into…
Online Simulation: Are you the ‘fifth Beatle’?
Online Simulation: Are you the ‘fifth Beatle’? In this simulation, you will be presented with a series of situations that faced The Beatles during the 1960s, and regular video clips of The Beatles being interviewed and singing their songs. At the end of the simulation you will be told how many of these decisions matched…
Why did Beatlemania sweep the USA in the 1960s?
Why did Beatlemania sweep the USA in the 1960s? Through an analysis of the music, lyrics, fashion and politics of the 1960s, students learn about the cultural impact of the Beatles in the 1960s. They match images of the Beatles to the correct dates through the help of musical clips; examine their album art (and…
Who was the greatest of the other Rock ‘n’ Rollers?
Who was the greatest of the other Rock ‘n’ Rollers? In this activity you will take on the role of a Rock ‘n’ Roll manager. A major record label is willing to offer a lucrative contract to TWO acts. Your job is to make sure that your client gets one of these contracts! Part of…
How and why did adults and teenagers disagree about Elvis Presley?
How and why did adults and teenagers disagree about Elvis Presley? By the mid-1950s, there were lots of interesting developments going on in youth culture: a mass white audience with money to burn, young black musicians with amazing energy and talent, and a thriving movie industry catering for a teenage market. What was missing, though,…
What sorts of movies were popular with teenagers in the 1950s?
What sorts of movies were popular with teenagers in the 1950s? | Introductory Video – B-Movies (5 movies) | Plenary Video – JD Movies (8 minutes) The first signs of a distinctive “teenage” identity emerged not with music, but in film. Young people in the 1950s America grew up at a time of economic prosperity….
Why did “teenage” identity start to emerge in the 1950s?
In this activity, students are introduced to the creation of the modern teenager after World War Two, and listen to a wide variety of songs in different styles (blues, gospel, country, crooners) to compare and contrast them in terms of style and lyrical content. Part of the new unit on Teen Culture since WW2.
“Statues and History” – Standalone lesson materials
Standalone lesson materials – “Statues and History” I finished putting together a self-contained study for my Year 9 students based on the recent debates about the future of historical statues – you can download the materials (and find links to additional videos/podcasts) here. Happy to hear any suggestions for further improvements.
Multimedia Presentation: Gorbachev’s Rule
A presentation to provide feedback on the main activity on this page. Each slide outlines what Gorbachev actually did, and is followed by a video clip from which students can take additional notes.
Video Documentary Project – The American Civil War
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….
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. If you wish to set this as a homework task instead of lecture, you can use this interactive version of the image at Classtoolsand this accompanying video clip for additional notes.
Primary sources about Churchill – worksheet
Primary sources about Churchill – Silent Discussion Prior to the lesson, your teacher will print off sets of sources and place them on different tables. The class will be divided into pairs, and each pair will be directed to a different table with a different set of sources. “Read the sources in silence, then still…
“Downfall” – viewing notes / discussion points for the movie
“Downfall” – Feature Film Viewing Notes / Discussion Points Detailed historical context, viewing notes and discussion points to accompany a viewing of the outstanding historical epic.
“Timeline of my Birthday” – worksheet
“Timeline of my Birthday” – worksheet Replace [DATE GOES HERE] with the month / day of your birthday (e.g. “November 30th”). Go to https://www.activehistory.co.uk/birthdayTimeline and input your birthday. It will provide a list of events, births and deaths that took place across a wide range of time on the day you were born. Select AT…
Undercover in Nazi Germany: Teacher Answer Sheet
A teacher answer sheet for the popular “James Spod: Undercover in Nazi Germany” simulation.
Suez Crisis: Standalone Workpack
The Suez Crisis of 1956 Note: If time is particularly tight, or this topic only needs to be taught briefly, then I have now produced a standalone workpack on this topic, which comes complete with links to multimedia clips. Part of the Suez Crisis Study Unit.
The Abyssinian Crisis
The Abyssinian Crisis Students are presented with a detailed breakdown of the crisis and watch several video clips to help them form judgements. A cartoon analysis exercise then follows. Part of the Interwar Europe: The 1930s study unit.
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.
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.)
The Battle of the Somme: Haig – hero or butcher?
The Battle of the Somme Students conduct a debate on the issues of whether Haig was a good General, whether the battle plan was crazy, and whether it achieved its objectives. They do this by: (a) Completing this NEWLY EDITABLE worksheet as the teacher goes through The Battle of the Somme PowerPoint; (b) Completing this…
How did the Crash lead to a Depression? What were the political consequences?
How did the Crash lead to a Depression? What were the political consequences? Students sometimes find it difficult to understand how a stock market ‘crash’ in one country can lead to a widespread ‘Depression’ affecting the entire economies of many countries. This worksheet helps them bridge the gap. Updated to include a task providing questions…
Factual Test based on the introductory civil rights lecture
Factual Test based on the introductory civil rights lecture 15 questions testing student understanding from the lecture – The Big Picture: A multimedia presentation of race in American history since the Declaration of Independence Part of the Civil Rights unit at ActiveHistory.
How similar was the 2008 Financial Crisis to the Wall St. Crash?
How similar was the 2008 Financial Crisis to the Wall St. Crash? One of the most important purposes of studying history is to understand the modern world. In this exercise students will consider how the Wall St. Crash helps us understand the modern financial system, by considering three particular films in the process: Part of…
Decision-Making Exercise: Was Churchill a Great Leader? – Part 2 (1943-45)
Decision-Making Exercise: Was Churchill a Great Leader? – Part 2 (1943-45) | Student Worksheet A major decision-making simulation designed to teach students about the major events of World War Two in an engaging but rigorous manner. “In 1939, Adolf Hitler invaded Poland after signing a non-aggression pact with Stalin’s USSR. Britain and France declared war…
Decision-Making Exercise: Was Churchill a Great Leader? – Part 1 (1940-42)
Decision-Making Exercise: Was Churchill a Great Leader? – Part 1 (1940-42) | Student Worksheet A major decision-making simulation designed to teach students about the major events of World War Two in an engaging but rigorous manner. “In 1939, Adolf Hitler invaded Poland after signing a non-aggression pact with Stalin’s USSR. Britain and France declared war…
Video Documentary Worksheet: “The Children who Fought Hitler”
Video Documentary Worksheet: “The Children who Fought Hitler” (could be used as an alternative video for students who feel uncomfortable watching the ‘Holocaust’ documentary) This is a documentary telling the forgotten story of a heroic battle fought by the children of the British Memorial School to help liberate Europe from the Nazis. The school served…
Multimedia Presentation: Who were the Nazis? | Student Worksheet
Multimedia Presentation: Who were the Nazis? | Student Worksheet Students consider some of the key beliefs of the Nazis by debating a series of controversial issues (e.g. “Immigrants should be encouraged to leave our country when there are lots of our own people who are unemployed”, “It is quite right to place suspected terrorists into…
Left-wing and Right Wing: Which are you? [online simulation]
Left-wing and Right Wing: Which are you? [online simulation] Students then complete this 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…
Overview of Ideologies: [a] Communism, Fascism and Nazism
Overview of Ideologies: [a] Communism, Fascism and Nazism Students start the unit by being introduced to the main ideological divisions of the interwar period and the key personalities behind them, including Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill. Part of the new World War Two study unit at ActiveHistory.
Student Record Grid – 1920s Border Disputes
Student Record Grid In this classroom roleplay exercise, students are divided into teams of four (idealists and pragmatists) and 11 students are also given a particular country to represent. We then go through each of the major border disputes of the 1920s hearing the arguments on both sides, reaching a decided course of action, then…
ActiveHistory Online Presentation – League in the 1920s
ActiveHistory Online Presentation In this classroom roleplay exercise, students are divided into teams of four (idealists and pragmatists) and 11 students are also given a particular country to represent. We then go through each of the major border disputes of the 1920s hearing the arguments on both sides, reaching a decided course of action, then…
Border Disputes in the 1920s: A Classroom Roleplay Exercise
Border Disputes in the 1920s: A Classroom Roleplay Exercise In this classroom roleplay exercise, students are divided into teams of four (idealists and pragmatists) and 11 students are also given a particular country to represent. We then go through each of the major border disputes of the 1920s hearing the arguments on both sides, reaching…
Design a movie proposal: The Sophiatown Removals
Design a movie proposal: The Sophiatown Removals Fresh from his triumph with the World War One inspired “1917”, award-winning director Sam Mendes is keen to keep his winning streak alive by producing a film based in the black neighbourhood of Sophiatown in the years leading up to and including its destruction in the 1950s. Your…
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…
Multimedia lecture [3]: Changes in Location: From Rural South to Urban North
Multimedia lecture [3]: Changes in Location: From Rural South to Urban North The change in methods (towards militant self-defence) and objectives (black nationalism, not integration) overlapped with a move away from the rural south (and a focus on tackling Jim Crow laws) and towards the urban north (and a focus on tackling socio-economic exploitation) Part…
Multimedia lecture [2]: Changes in Methods: From Nonviolence to Militant Self-Defence
Multimedia lecture [2]: Changes in Methods: From Nonviolence to Militant Self-Defence FROM: a philosophy of nonviolence (as promoted by MLK and the SCLC) TO: militant self-defence (as promoted by Malcolm X and practised by the Black Panthers). This new breed of activists followed the ideas of Malcolm X, who rejected nonviolence as “the philosophy of…
Multimedia lecture [1]: Changes in Objectives: From Integration (Civil Rights) to Black Nationalism (Human Rights)
Multimedia lecture [1]: Changes in Objectives: From Integration (Civil Rights) to Black Nationalism (Human Rights) In this first lecture, students learn about how even MLK started to become concerned that black people were trying to ‘integrate into a burning house’. The contribution of Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, the Black Panthers, Black Power and Richard Pryor…
Albany, Birmingham and the Washington March – Multimedia decision-making exercise [interactive]
This teacher-led lecture guides students through the key dilemmas facing the likes of MLK and JFK in this critical period, and comes complete with video clips. Students then have to consdider how they would structure a response to the following essay question: “During the Kennedy administration, there was little progress in civil rights, and Kennedy…
Historiography of the Berlin Blockade
Historiography of the Berlin Blockade Students are presented with a detailed article about the causes and consequences of the Berlin Blockade and a series of structured questions to help familiarise them with some of the key debates and interpretations. Part of the “Origins of the Cold War” Unit
Comparing / contrasting the impact on two states: the USA / the DDR
Comparing / contrasting the impact on two states: the USA / the DDR In the earlier exercise students worked collaboratively to determine the impact of the Cold War upon the DDR. As a revision exercise, they will now compare and contrast this experience with that of the United States by reviewing their work on the…
Video viewing notes: “The DDR: Lost World of Communism”
Video viewing notes: “The DDR: Lost World of Communism” Minute-by-minute viewing notes for this excellent BBC documentary for students to use as a way of deepening their understanding. This is part of a unit of study on Communist East Germany. This concludes with an essay on the subject “Analyse the impact of the Cold War upon…
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…
“Then and Now” photographs: Battlefields / Berlin
“Then and Now” photographs As an added dimension to the trip, I obtained a range of historical photos of key sites in Berlin, then challenged students to recreate them. I then uploaded these to ActiveHistory to share with the students.
Interpretation Battleships: The Treaty of Versailles
Interpretation Battleships: The Treaty of Versailles “Harsh but fair” – To what extent do you agree with this judgement on the Treaty of Versailles? Individual or Paired Task After reviewing the terms of the Treaty, decide where each of the following words belong in the grid: Saar | Colonies | Rhineland | Alsace-Lorraine | Polish…
20 question factual test: Nixon’s foreign policy
20 question factual test: Nixon’s foreign policy With teacher answer sheet provided.
The Watergate Scandal and the Fall of Richard Nixon
The Watergate Scandal Students watch a one-hour video documentary to assess the role played in Nixon’s downfall by ten key individuals involved in the Watergate Scandal.
How varied were the impacts of European imperialism on Africans? | teacher notes
How varied were the impacts of European imperialism on Africans? | teacher notes In the 1880s Europeans accelerated their colonisation programmes in a process which became known as the “Scramble for Africa”. Following the Berlin Conference (1884-85), the African continent was randomly divided into about fifty countries. These new borders took no account of ethnic…
Hitler’s Foreign Policy: Model Answers
Hitler’s Foreign Policy a. Describe the events leading to Anschluss. b. Why did Hitler want to take over Czechoslovakia? c. How far was the policy of appeasement justified? One of many sets of model answers for IGCSE History (CIE) that can be accessed here:
Hitler’s Foreign Policy: Model Answers
Hitler’s Foreign Policy a. In what ways did Hitler build up his armed forces before 1936? b. Why did Britain and France allow Germany to remilitarise the Rhineland in 1936? c. Evaluate the view that ‘Hitler was a gambler rather than a planner’ in foreign affairs. One of many sets of model answers for IGCSE…
International Relations: 1930s – Model Answers
International Relations: 1930s a. Describe the Abyssinian Crisis. b. Why was the conquest of Manchuria by Japan not prevented by the League of Nations? b. Why was remilitarisation of the Rhineland a risk for Hitler? One of many sets of model answers for IGCSE History (CIE) that can be accessed here:
International Relations: 1920s/30s – Model Answers
International Relations: 1920s/30s a. Describe the successes of the League of Nations in peacekeeping in the 1920s b. Why did the League fail to secure world disarmament before World War Two? b. Explain why the League was quite successful in the 1920s One of many sets of model answers for IGCSE History (CIE) that can…
Model Answers: International Relations: 1920s
International Relations: 1920s a. Describe the activities of the Agencies of the League of Nations. b. Why did some major powers not join the League? c. How successful was the League at dealing with border disputes in the 1920s? One of many sets of model answers for IGCSE History (CIE) that can be accessed here:
International Relations: 1920s – Model Answers
International Relations: 1920s a. What were the aims of the League of Nations? b. Why did the USA’s refusal to join create problems for the League? c. How successful was the League at dealing with the problems it faced in the 1920s? One of many sets of model answers for IGCSE History (CIE) that can…
Germany Depth Study: Model Answers
Weimar Germany, 1918-34 a. Describe the effects of the hyperinflation of 1923 on the German people b. Why was 1923 a year of crisis for the Weimar Republic? c. c. To what extent did the Weimar Republic recover between 1924-28? One of many sets of model answers for IGCSE History (CIE) that can be accessed…
Model Answers – Weimar Germany, 1918-34
Weimar Germany, 1918-34 a. What changes in German society did the Nazi Party want in 1920? b. Why did the Nazi Party remain unsuccessful between 1924 and 1929? c. How important was Hitler to the success of the Nazis between 1929 and 1932? One of many sets of model answers for IGCSE History (CIE) that…
Model Answers: Weimar Germany, 1918-34 [free]
Weimar Germany, 1918-34 [free] a. What were the main features of the Weimar Constitution? b. Why did the Weimar Republic face difficulties in 1923? c. How successful was the Republic between 1924-1928? One of many sets of model answers for IGCSE History (CIE) that can be accessed here:
