Modern History Unit 1.

Unit 1: Change and Conflict.

In this unit students investigate the nature of social, political, economic and cultural change in the later part of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. Modern History provides students with an opportunity to explore the significant events, ideas, individuals and movements that shaped the social, political, economic and technological conditions and developments that have defined the modern world.

World War One was a significant turning point in modern history. It represented a complete departure from the past and heralded changes that were to have significant consequences for the rest of the twentieth century. The post-war treaties ushered in a period where the world was, to a large degree, reshaped with new borders, movements, ideologies and power structures and led to the creation of many new nation states. These changes had many unintended consequences that would lay the foundations for future conflict and instability in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Economic instability caused by the Great Depression contributed to great social hardship as well as to the development of new political movements.

The period after World War One, in the contrasting decades of the 1920s and 1930s, was characterised by significant social, political, economic, cultural and technological change. In 1920 the League of Nations was established, but despite its ideals about future peace, subsequent events and competing ideologies would contribute to the world being overtaken by war in 1939.

Unit 2: The Changing World Order

In this unit students investigate the nature and impact of the Cold War and challenges and changes to social, political and economic structures and systems of power in the second half of the twentieth century and the first decade of the twenty-first century.

The establishment of the United Nations (UN) in 1945 was intended to take an internationalist approach to avoiding warfare, resolving political tensions and addressing threats to human life and safety. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948 was the first global expression of human rights. However, despite internationalist moves, the second half of the twentieth century was dominated by the Cold War, competing ideologies of democracy and communism and proxy wars. By 1989 the USSR began to collapse. Beginning with Poland, Eastern European communist dictatorships fell one by one. The fall of the Berlin Wall was a significant turning point in modern history.

The period also saw continuities in and challenges and changes to the established social, political and economic order in many countries. The continuation of moves towards decolonisation led to independence movements in former colonies in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific. New countries were created and independence was achieved through both military and diplomatic means. Ethnic and sectarian conflicts also continued and terrorism became increasingly global.

What is History: Revolutions?

In Units 3 and 4 Revolutions students investigate the significant historical causes and consequences of political revolution. Revolutions represent great ruptures in time and are a major turning point in the collapse and destruction of an existing political order which results in extensive changes to societies. Revolutions are caused by the interplay of events, ideas, individuals and popular movements, and the interplay between the political, social, cultural, economic and environmental conditions. Their consequences have a profound effect on the political and social structures of the post-revolutionary society. Revolution is a dramatically accelerated process whereby the new regime attempts to create political, social, cultural and economic change and transformation based on the regime’s ideology.

Change in a post-revolutionary society is not guaranteed or inevitable and continuities can remain from the pre-revolutionary society. The implementation of revolutionary ideology was often challenged internally by civil war and externally by foreign threats. These challenges can result in a compromise of revolutionary ideals and extreme measures of violence, oppression and terror.

In these units, students construct an argument about the past using historical sources (primary sources and historical interpretations) as evidence to analyse the complexity and multiplicity of the causes and consequences of revolution and to evaluate the extent to which the revolution brought change to the lives of people. Students analyse the different perspectives and experiences of people who lived through dramatic revolutionary moments, and how society changed and/or remained the same. Students use historical interpretations to evaluate the causes and consequences of revolution and the extent of change instigated by the new regime.

Unit 3: American Revolution

Unit 3: American Revolution

In Unit 3, students will explore the causes and consequences of the American Revolution (1754- 1789). Within this unit, students will be exploring the events that led to the outbreak of the Revolution; including but not limited to colonial experience, enlightenment ideals, key individuals and the contribution of popular movements. They will then move on to explore the challenges the new regime faced whilst attempting to consolidate power. They'll explore the political, social and economic changes and consequences that impacted the Revolution. Lastly, they'll explore key individuals and their roles and impact on American society. Overall, students will finish this unit with a deeper understanding of the American Revolution, its impact on the modern world and a deeper understanding of continuity and change.

Unit 4: Russian Revolution

Unit 4: Russian Revolution

In Unit 4, students will move on to exploring the Russian Revolution (1912- 1976). Within this unit, students will explore the conditions and events that led to the outbreak of war within Russia; looking at the impact of Tsarist Russia, and socio-economic inequalities. Students will explore many key events such as The Russo-Japanese War, Bloody Sunday and the October Manifesto to name a few. Students will explore how these events created a feeling of unease within the Russian population. Within this timeline, students also explore key individuals to the revolution, like Tsar Nicholas II, Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky. Students then move into exploring the consequences of the revolution; here they begin discussing the problems that came with a new regime, and the political, social and economic changes and challenges that come with new leaders and new power. Overall, students will finish this unit with a deeper understanding of the Russian Revolution, its impact on the modern world and a deeper understanding of continuity and change.

Let us not forget that revolutions are accomplished through people, although they be nameless. - Leon Trotsky

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