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…
Category: Historical Periods
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…
Computer Simulation: Was Cortes a Hero, or a Villain? | Student Worksheet
Computer Simulation: Was Cortes a Hero, or a Villain? | Student Worksheet A major simulation complete with multimedia and a leaderboard, designed to take students up to two hours to complete. The accompanying worksheet helps students to build up evidence to decide whether Cortes was a hero, or a villain: “In 1519, Hernan Cortes marched into deepest Mexico with…
Letter-Writing Exercise: Who was Cortes, and why did he want to conquer the Aztecs?
Letter-Writing Exercise: Who was Cortes, and why did he want to conquer the Aztecs? “You are Hernan Cortes, the famous Spanish Conquistador. Your task is to write a letter to the governor of Cuba to persuade him to let you sail from Cuba on an expedition to conquer the Aztec Empire. The letter should be…
Visual Sourcework Exercise: Who were the Aztecs? | Images for Students | Teacher Slideshow
Visual Sourcework Exercise: Who were the Aztecs? | Images for Students | Teacher Slideshow “The Aztec people were based around modern-day Mexico. Completely isolated from the cultures of Africa, Asia and Europe, they developed a unique civilisation. In this unit of study you will investigate the ways in which they were similar to, and different from, European societies in…
Written Sources: Who were the Aztecs?
Written Sources: Who were the Aztecs? “The Aztec people were based around modern-day Mexico. Completely isolated from the cultures of Africa, Asia and Europe, they developed a unique civilisation. In this unit of study you will investigate the ways in which they were similar to, and different from, European societies in the 16th century. You…
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…
Victorian Entrepreneur Simulation: Multimedia Added
The popular “Horatio Ramsbottom: Victorian Entrepreneur” has now been updated to include some fresh multimedia video clips.
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
Life of Martin Luther: 15-question factual test
A new factual test to accompany the unit on Martin Luther and the German Reformation.
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…
Medieval Meme / Storyboard Generator
I’ve just launched a new resource over at www.classtools.net which allows students to generate their own Memes / Storyboards based on medieval manuscript images. https://www.classtools.net/meme/
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….
Trading scenarios along the Silk Road: Teacher Answers
Trading scenarios along the Silk Road: can you make a profit? “The Silk Road developed into an amazingly complex trading network through the work of individual traders eager not just to obtain the things they needed and wanted, but to sell these on at a higher price to make a profit. In this activity will…
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.
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…
Medieval Cathedral Building – worksheet to complete online
Medieval Cathedral Building [making use of this slideshow]. This activity gets students to make deductions from original images to determine how medieval cathedrals were built. They watch a short video to decide what the most horrible job for cathedral builders was (lime burner? stonemason? treadmill operator?) They then investigate the difference between Romanesque and Gothic…
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…
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…
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…
The issue of Mary, Queen of Scots | Video on the Babbington Plot | Worksheet to accompany the Video
The issue of Mary, Queen of Scots | Video on the Babbington Plot | Worksheet to accompany the Video A fourth reason why the Spanish decided to invade England in 1588 was connected to Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary was a Catholic cousin of Elizabeth (her mother was Henry VIII’s sister). Catholics all across Europe…
How successfully did Elizabeth deal with the problems of her reign?
How successfully did Elizabeth deal with the problems of her reign? In this exercise, students will reach a final judgement about Elizabeth I by writing an essay. In this way, they will: Develop their ability to see the ‘big picture’ and to connect factors together Consider how Elizabeth’s rule has affected such things as: The…
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…
Fling the Teacher Quiz: The Silk Roads
A new “Fling the Teacher” quiz on the Silk Roads, part of the new scheme of work on the Silk Roads from ActiveHistory.
Google Earth Interactive Tour: three key Silk Road explorers
Google Earth Interactive Tour: three key explorers Using an interactive Google Earth Tour, students develop their understanding of the three key explorers by following their footsteps and learning about their adventures and use what they learn to complete this worksheet. Part of the new “Silk Roads” unit at ActiveHistory.
Three key Silk Road explorers: European, African and Asian
Three key explorers: European, African and Asian “During a period of only 150 years, the travels of three remarkable explorers – one European, one African, and one Asian – expanded our understanding of vast parts of the world. Start by reading the three biographies and watching the video clips that go along with each for…
Crossword test – Silk Roads
Crossword test This crossword quiz, complete with teacher answer sheet, tests the vocabulary developed in the previous introductory exercise. Part of the new “Silk Roads” unit at ActiveHistory.
Introduction to the Silk Roads
Introduction to the Silk Roads “Watch the TEDEd video (below) as a class. Then, go through the written account (overleaf) and see how many of the missing words you are able to fill in. Next, highlight any words in the account that you do not know. Afterwards, discuss these words together and produce a list…
The Silk Roads: Online Adventure Game
A brand new simulation game, complete with a detailed worksheet and extension tasks, designed as part of my ongoing project to bring more non-European history into my classroom. Students can choose to play as a male or female character, and are placed in a random location somewhere on the Silk Roads to begin their quest,…
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…
History: Factual Test for the “Undercover in Imperial Rome” simulation
FACTUAL TEST In this task, students are given 25 short-answer questions to test the knowledge they acquired by completing the main worksheet which accompanies the game about Imperial Rome. The link to the associated computer simulation and loads more worksheets and activities relating to Imperial Rome can be found on this page of ActiveHistory.
Voyages of Discovery Simulation: Updated and Improved
I have updated my new “Voyages of Discovery” simulation in response to user feedback to include more locations, additional varied tasks, and fresh information about West African Empires in the Middle Ages / Early Modern period to complement the current focus on Asian and European History. It’s now a pretty comprehensive simulation which I hope…
Undercover in Ancient Rome Simulation – Teacher Support Materials
Map, Structured Questions, Timeline and Instructions about how to complete the mission This pack provides you with a completed version of the map, answers to the structured questions, and a completed version of the ‘fill the gaps’ timeline exercise. Click here to access the simulation.
Undercover in Ancient Rome Simulation – new worksheets and features.
Map, Structured Questions and Timeline In this task, students will use the interactive adventure to complete a schematic map which quickly allows you to identify the main sites and Emperors in Ancient Rome according to the simulation. There are then a detailed list of structured questions for each of the main locations, and ‘fill the…
Voyages of Discovery – New Online Simulation Game
Voyages of Discovery – New Online Simulation Game Overview This simulation introduces students to the Voyages of Discovery. These daring overseas adventures marked the beginning of globalization and European empire-building. By playing the game students will learn about some of the most important explorers, their discoveries, and the spices which they brought back to Europe….
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
Middle Passage Simulation – updated, relaunched
I have updated the popular “Can you survive the Middle Passage?” simulation with new media clips, factual information and a more modern layout.
Voyages of Discovery Simulation: Follow-Up Classroom Project
I have added a ‘choose your own homework / markscheme‘ project to follow-on from the Voyages of Discovery Simulation. I’ll be looking forward to seeing what my students come up with for the first time after the holidays!
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…
French Revolution Simulation: Updated, relaunched
I have updated the popular Causes / Events of the French Revolution simulation with a ‘save progress’ feature and a dozen video clips at appropriate points.
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.
Escape the Room: The Black Death!
A new “Escape the Room” lesson: It is 1348. You are a group of sailors returning to England from a business trip to Ireland in your trading ship. On your arrival, you find that the port of Bristol is in complete panic about the approach of the BLACK DEATH from Europe. Hundreds of thousands of…
54-question Arcade Game: 19thC European Overseas Empires”
Revision Game: 54 Questions
20-question factual test: Europeans in China
20-question factual test: Europeans in China To consolidate knowledge. 10 questions on the Opium Wars, 10 questions on the Boxer Uprising.
Sourcework Questions: The Boxer Uprising
Sourcework Questions: The Boxer Uprising Two examination-style questions, complete with model answers to provide with students during the feedback phase.
The Boxer Uprising
The Boxer Uprising ” Read carefully through the following account, then: [1] Include at least THREE relevant, useful, captioned images into this document (in the same format as the one already included); [2] Add additional notes from the video. Highlight all these additions in yellow.
Sourcework Questions: The Opium Wars | Model answers
Sourcework Questions: The Opium Wars | Model answers A fully-developed sourcework examination. I set questions [2] and [6] as a homework exercise and produced model answers myself to share with students afterwards.
The Opium Wars: Multimedia Presentation / Decision-Making Exercise (22 slides plus video clips)
The Opium Wars: Multimedia Presentation / Decision-Making Exercise (22 slides plus video clips) “You will be presented with a series of issues which were controversial at the time and remain so today. You should make choices based on what you think is the most appropriate course of action according to your own preferences. At the…
