Boris Leonidovich Pasternak (Russian: ?????? ??????????? ??????????) (10 February 1890 – 30 May 1960) was a Nobel Prize-winning Russian and Soviet poet, novelist and translator of Goethe and Shakespeare. In Russia, Pasternak is most celebrated as a poet. My Sister Life, written in 1917, is arguably the most influential collection of poetry published in the…
The Rise of Mao Zedong – Analysis of the Events
With the chronological narrative now complete, students should turn their timeline into a thematic analysis using the structure recommended in this worksheet. Share this:
27th May 1910 (100 years ago today) Death of Robert Koch
Heinrich Herman Robert Koch (11 December 1843 – 27 May 1910) was a German physician. He became famous for isolating Bacillus anthracis (1877), the Tuberculosis bacillus (1882) and the Vibrio cholerae (1883) and for his development of Koch’s postulates. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his tuberculosis findings in 1905….
Stalin blocked two attempts to kill Hitler, Russian general says
Stalin blocked two attempts to kill Hitler, Russian general says
‘Pink Hitler’ advertisement upsets Sicilians
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Head2Head Virtual Interview with William the Conqueror
Now improved with hyperlinks to 80 keywords and an on-screen record of the conversation. Share this:
Miliband’s escape from The Holocaust
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Hitler Fashion Ad Causes Controversy In Sicily
HITLER FASHION AD Causes Controversy In Sicily
Chinese Civil War – Timeline – Interactive Newsfeed
Students and teachers can ensure that they have covered the essential information by using this interactive newsfeed, which covers all of the major points in extra detail. Share this:
Head2Head Interview with Josef Stalin
Now improved with hyperlinks to 80 keywords and an on-screen record of the conversation. Share this:
[Test post]
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Face of Stirling Castle warrior reconstructed
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17th May 1510 (500 years ago today) Botticelli, Renaissance Artist died
For some of Botticelli’s most famous paintings, take a look at this page. Wikipedia also has a good entry. Share this:
Timeline of the Chinese Civil War – Overview using Video
After copying down the information from the presentation , students then watch the first 8.5 mins of this video and make detailed notes to develop their basic timeline. Students then develop their timeline by organising it under the following headings and clarifying dates by using textbooks and / or the web: * Background (to 1927)…
Historical Anniversaries for June 2010
• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…
Decline and collapse of communism in eastern europe
An end-of unit “Fling the Teacher” challenge with 30 possible questions. All students should start the quiz at the same time, with 10 minutes available. Award 10 points to anyone finishing the quiz successfully within the first minute, 9 points to anyone finishing within the second minute, and so on. I build up a “leaderboard”…
15th May 1960 (50 years ago today) Sputnik 4 is launched into Earth orbit
This was a major event in the Cold War as it suggested that the USSR were getting the upper hand in the Space Race. The USA became increasingly paranoid about the threat posed by the Soviet Union. Share this:
USSR planned nuclear attack on China in 1969
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14th May 1610 (400 years ago today) Henry IV of France was assassinated
Henry was nicknamed Henry the Great (Henri le Grand), and in France is also called le bon roi Henri (“the good king Henry”) or le Vert galant (“the Green gallant”), a reference to both his dashing character and his attractiveness to women. In English he is most often referred to as Henry of Navarre. He…
Decline and Collapse of Soviet Control in Eastern Europe – Role of Gorbachev
An end-of unit “Fling the Teacher” challenge with 30 possible questions. All students should start the quiz at the same time, with 10 minutes available. Award 10 points to anyone finishing the quiz successfully within the first minute, 9 points to anyone finishing within the second minute, and so on. I build up a “leaderboard”…
12th May 1860 (150 years ago today) Charles Barry, architect of the Houses of Parliament in London, died
Other works by Barry include: Manchester City Art Gallery The Treasury Building, Whitehall, London The Royal College of Surgeons, London Bowood, Wiltshire Cliveden, Buckinghamshire Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfries and Galloway Duncombe Park, North Yorkshire Dunrobin Castle, Highland Edgbaston Hall, West Midlands Eynsham Hall, Oxfordshire Gawthorpe Hall, Lancashire Harewood House, West Yorkshire Highclere Park, Hampshire Hinton Manor,…
11th May 1960 (50 years ago today) In Buenos Aires, 4 Mossad agents abduct fugitive Nazi Adolf Eichmann
Eichmann was the most notorious surviving Nazi at this point and one of the architects of the Holocaust during World War Two. He was later put on trial in Israel and then executed. Share this:
Introductory Prezi: The Chinese Civil War and the Rise of Mao
A brief overview of the main parties involved and the key events. Students should take notes! Share this:
Foreign troops join Russia’s Victory Day parade
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The London haunts of VI Lenin
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“History in the Headlines” – New RSS address
If you currently follow History in the headlines as an RSS feed, you need to resubscribe to the new and improved version at:
http://feeds.delicious.com/v2/rss/russeltarr/bundle:History_News?count=50
Simon Bolivar died of arsenic poisoning
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Adolf Hitler ‘did not shoot himself’
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FTSE falls for 4th day on Greek contagion fears | Reuters
FTSE falls for 4th day on Greek contagion fears
Decline and Collapse of Soviet Control in Eastern Europe – External Factors
An end-of unit “Fling the Teacher” challenge with 30 possible questions. All students should start the quiz at the same time, with 10 minutes available. Award 10 points to anyone finishing the quiz successfully within the first minute, 9 points to anyone finishing within the second minute, and so on. I build up a “leaderboard”…
Stalin bus begins driving through St Petersburg
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6th May 1910 (100 years ago today) King Edward VII of England died
King Edward gave his name to the “Edwardian Era” which represents the high-point of British confidence (complacency?) before World War One. He is also the reason why we don’t button up the final button on our waistcoats (if you know your fashion sense…) – because he was too fat to do so, everyone else turned…
6th May 1960 (50 years ago today) President Dwight Eisenhower signs the Civil Rights Act of 1960 into law.
For more on this legislation, have a read of this page. Share this:
Chinese Civil War: Keyword Challenge
A new Fruit Machine game created using www.classtools.net. Share this:
Worst Jobs in History: Tudors
This Worst Jobs in History simulation can be used as a stand-alone lesson, homework assignment or as part of a broader unit on “Was life Good or Bad during this particular period?”. The worksheet has basic activities for a 30 minute lesson, and extension tasks that could be followed up later. Share this:
Medieval black Briton found
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2nd May 1860 (150 years ago today) Theodore Herzl was born
Herzl was the founder of the Zionist Movement, which campaigned for an independent Jewish State. He is historically important in the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Share this:
Sourcework Tips: Decline and Collapse of Soviet Control in Eastern Europe
A student handout highlighting the main periods, people and events so that sources can be placed into their correct historical context as specifically as possible. Share this:
1st May 1960 (50 years ago today): U2 Spy Plane Incident
A Soviet missile shoots down an American Lockheed U2 spy plane; the pilot Francis Gary Powers is captured. Share this:
IGCSE Collapse of Communism – Interactive Cartoon Analysis
In this activity, students analyse 5 separate political cartoons relating to the decline and collapse of communism in Eastern Europe. They are then able to compare their answers to a series of model answers. A useful way of revising the 2010 IGCSE Paper 2 Topic. Share this:
Training Day Opportunity from ActiveHistory
On Friday 21st May I’m personally running a one-day teacher-training course on “Web2.0 in the History Classroom”. All delegates will have access to their own computer with internet access and a 2GB memory stick with a full training pack and resources. A restaurant lunch is also included in the course price. The event will take…
The Rise of Mao – Interactive MazeGame
A new decision-making adventure designed to consolidate knowledge about the rise of Chairman Mao. Share this:
Quiz: The Rise of Chairman Mao
A new Fling the Teacher Quiz (45 possible questions) designed for IB level. Share this:
YouTube pulls Hitler Downfall parodies
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April 21st 1910 (100 years ago today) Mark Twain, American author, died
For an Edison film of Twain in 1909, click here. Share this:
Historical Anniversaries for May 2010
• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…
Classtools.net Countdown Timer: Now with new tunes!
The popular countdown timer at www.classtools.net has now been developed with several more tunes – check them out here! Share this:
How did the War in Afghanistan undermine the USSR?
A Telescopic Topic created using www.classtools.net Share this:
Stalin’s Rise to Power
A Telescopic Topic created using www.classtools.net. Share this:
Calvin’s Reformation
A Telescopic Topic created using Classtools.net. Share this:
History Mystery: The Dreadnought Hoax
An ActiveHistory Mystery. The “History Mysteries” lessons are designed as stand-alone projects which each last 3-4 hours. Through engaging historical topics, they teach skills of research, groupwork, structured writing. There is a standard teacher lesson plan and student record sheet / markscheme for each activity. Share this:
Tensions in the Middle East, c.1914-1947
A Telescopic Topic created using Classtools.net. Share this:
Eastern Europe: Walesa and Pope John Paul II
In this task students discuss the respective roles of the key individuals and then answer some source work questions about the Solidarity movement. Share this:
Russia bans Hitler book as extremist
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The Suez Crisis: Historiography and Conclusions
The Suez Crisis: Historiography and Conclusions Students consider an orthodox and revisionist interpretation of the Suez Crisis to consolidate their understanding of this topic and reach an independent judgement. There are teacher notes available for this activity. Share this:
The Collapse of Soviet Control in Eastern Europe
Students conduct their own research about how each of the countries in the Eastern Bloc broke away from Soviet rule 1989-91 as part of their IGCSE history studies. Share this:
Medieval music of monks unearthed
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Gorbachev’s Policies: Glasnost and Perestroika
Students complete a table which helps them to assess the problems Gorbachev faced, how he chose to deal with them and how appropriate they consider these policies were. Share this:
Historical Anniversary: The Sharpeville massacre in South Africa results in more than 69 dead, 300 injured – 21st March 1960 (50 years ago today)
The Sharpeville Massacre, also known as the Sharpeville shootings, occurred on 21 March 1960, when South African police opened fire on a crowd of black protesters, killing 69 people. The confrontation occurred in the township of Sharpeville, in what is now Gauteng province. [Wikipedia Link] Share this:
USA/USSR: Reagan and “Star Wars”
President Ronald Reagan contributed to the decline and fall of the Soviet Union by adopting an aggressive, uncompromising policy towards communism. Students investigate his policies and their impact upon the USSR through a timeline and some source work questions. Share this:
Sourcework on the Nuclear Arms Race
Designed to be used as an extension or a homework activity. Share this:
Historical Anniversaries for April 2010
• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…
USA/USSR: The Nuclear Arms Race
Another pressure upon the Soviet Union was the massive cost of keeping up with the United States in terms of nuclear weapons. Students answer questions based around a timeline and as an extension activity conduct some research into the Cuban Missile Crisis. Share this:
Dambusters hero wanted to bomb Mussolini
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Stalin Resurrected in Russia (video)
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Problems for the USSR: Afghanistan 1979-89
In this card-sort activity students piece together the causes, course and consequence of the war with Afghanistan, which caused such havoc for the military and the economic position of the Soviet Union. Share this:
2010 | Who should you vote for in the UK general election?
CLICK HERE for an interactive simulation to help you decide which party to vote for in the 2010 UK General Election. Rank 10 key issues by order of preference, then decide which party most closely reflects your own views on those issues. You will then be given a profile based on your feedback which suggests…
Worst Jobs in History: Middle Ages
The Middle Ages Worst Jobs in History simulation can be used as a stand-alone lesson, homework assignment or as part of a broader unit on “Was life Good or Bad during this particular period?”. The worksheet has basic activities for a 30 minute lesson, and extension tasks that could be followed up later. Share this:
Hitler abortion poster sparks anger in Poland
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Historical Anniversary: The United States announces that 3,500 American soldiers will be sent to Vietnam: 6th March 1960 (50 years ago today)
This began the military intervention that escalated into the Vietnam War, which lasted until 1973. Share this:
Eastern Europe: Rebellions 1956-68
Students investigate the uprisings in Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia to develop their understanding of the poor socio-economic conditions in the Eastern Bloc. Share this:
International Baccalaureate History: Sample Paper 1
Another 1-hour sourcework assignment in the style of the International Baccalaureate syllabus for History, dealing with International Relations 1918-36. Share this:
History Mystery: The Franklin Expedition
An ActiveHistory Mystery. The “History Mysteries” lessons are designed as stand-alone projects which each last 3-4 hours. Through engaging historical topics, they teach skills of research, groupwork, structured writing. There is a standard teacher lesson plan and student record sheet / markscheme for each activity. Share this:
Social-Economic Problems within the USSR: Sourcework
Some sourcework questions designed to be used as a homework / extension activity. Share this:
Social-Economic Problems within the USSR: Chernobyl and Lake Baikal
Students investigate the problems in agriculture, industry and society that plagued the USSR by the 1980s. They look at a number of Soviet jokes from the period and deduce what these tell us about life under Soviet rule. Share this:
Jud Süss: the Nazis’ inglorious blockbuster
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IB History Curriculum Map
I’ve just made some substantial changes and additions to my IB History curriculum map which is now packed full of useful resources and links. Share this:
John Babcock, Last Canadian World War I Veteran, Dies at 109
John Babcock, Last Canadian World War I Veteran, Dies at 109
Albert Göring, Hermann’s anti-Nazi brother
Albert Göring, Hermann's anti-Nazi brother
Titanic star Leonardo DiCaprio wants to play role of Joseph Stalin
Titanic star Leonardo DiCaprio wants to play role of Joseph Stalin
Social-Economic Problems within the USSR: Underproduction and Demotivation
Students compare and contrast communism and capitalism and produce a written summary outlining the inherent weaknesses of the Soviet system. Share this:
Chopin was born: 22nd Feb.1810 (200 years ago today)
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