VCE Modern History

Unit 1: Modern History  – Change and conflict

Focus:

Investigate the late 19th and early 20th century, a period collapsing empires, growing militarism and conflict. The Roaring Twenties gave way to The Great Depression and new fascist governments used the military, education and propaganda to control the way people lived. In Germany, the Jewish people were persecuted, whilst in the USSR millions of people were forced to labour in state-owned industries. Japan became increasingly militarised and anti-Western. Between the wars in the USA, alcohol was prohibited and race segregation was supported by the presence of the Ku Klux Klan. Mass entertainment and information by means of radio and film became widespread. Artists documented these social changes with the world being overtaken by war in 1939.

Assessment Tasks:

Includes: Historical inquiry, analysis of sources and historical interpretations. Historical inquiry, analysis of primary sources, evaluation of historical interpretations, essay.

Unit 2: Modern History – 20th Century History 1945–2000

Focus:

Modern History Unit 2: The changing world order Investigate the Cold War through to the collapse of the USSR and the fall of the Berlin Wall. The continuation of moves towards decolonisation led to independence movements in former colonies in Africa, the Middle East. Terrorism remained a major threat, as the war on global terror and shaped the first decade of the twentyfirst century, including wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Global Financial Crisis challenged social, political and economic features. The internet changed everyday life and revolutionised communication and the sharing of information and ideas, some of which challenged authority, most notably the Arab Spring. Traditional attitudes to race, war, gender, sexuality, religion, the environment and human rights were questioned and challenged.

Assessment Tasks include:

Historical inquiry, analysis of sources and historical interpretations.

Assessment Tasks:

Historical inquiry, analysis of primary sources,

evaluation of historical interpretations, essay.