Download Unit 1 - The-Historic-Times

Lesson 1
Period 1
Introduction to
History of the Modern World
History Syllabus



Pure History
20th century World
History (2009)
Selected Southeast Asian History:
Malaya, Indonesia
and Vietnam
(2010)


Elective History
20th century World
History (2009 +
2010)
Course Outline




Covers a period which spans about a
century. Late 19th century to late 20th
century.
Looks at Europe, Asia, America
WWI, WWII, Cold War and the
periods in between.
Important concepts: Colonialism +
Nationalism; Capitalism +
Communism
Treaties signed allowing
A country to rule over another.
Either by agreement or by conquest
Peaceful or violent
Colonies adopt language, culture,
Architecture, governing systems of
The colonial masters
Colonialism
Colonies are modelled
After the Metropolis
Unequal Relationship
Between Colonial Master
And colonised
Colonies need to provide raw
Materials and resources for the
Metropolis (Centre of the empire)
Core vs. Periphery
Colonial Masters rule over
local inhabitants
Can be Xenophobic
(“Them/Other)
Nationalist
Movements
Peaceful or violent
Strong national
Identity.
‘We’/Self
Nationalism
Against Colonialism
Strong desire to defend
Nation from foreign
Invaders/excessive influence of
Another country.
Local inhabitants should
Rule themselves
The 2 Cs




Capitalism
Private Ownership
Free-market
economy
Supporters: Middle
Class + Elites




Communism
State Ownership
Centrally-planned
economy
Supporters:
Working class +
Poor
Background





Age of exploration (early modern: 15th-17th
century) leading on to growth of Empires
(Colonisation) during the 18th-19th century.
Age of modernity saw the birth of
Nationalism (Beginning with French
Revolution 1789).
Previously people thought in terms of
parochial/local concerns. (village/province)
Emergence of collective identity and sense
of nation. (Formation of Germany 1871,
Italy 1870)
Nationalist movements spread from
America (War of Independence 1775-1783)
to Europe to Asia.
Looking back on the 20th Century
“If I had to sum up the 20th century,
I would say that it raised the
greatest hopes ever conceived by
humanity, and destroyed all illusions
and ideals.”
~Yehudin Menuhin

Looking back on the 20th century
“The most fundamental thing is the
progress of science, which has been
truly extraordinary…This is what
characterises our century.”
~ Severo Ochoa (Nobel Laureate,
Science, Spain)

Looking back on the 20th century
“In spite of everything there have
been revolutions for the better in this
century…the rise of the fourth estate,
and the emergence of women after
centuries of repression.”
~ Rita Levi Montalcini (Nobel Laureate,
writer, Italy)

Looking back on the 20th century
“Historians can’t answer this
question (about what characterises
the 20th century). For me the
twentieth century is only the everrenewed effort to understand it.”
~ Franco Venturi (historian, Italy)

KIV
How would you characterise
the 20th century?
General Themes


History of the Modern World as being
a paradox (contradictory):
Modernity supposed to herald
progress e.g. of the sciences, to the
benefit of Mankind but it also
indirectly contributed to atrocities
committed against Man (e.g. Nuclear
weapons).
General Themes



The Modern World as being
increasingly interconnected Globalisation.
This has brought about benefits of
increased mobility of trade, people
etc, but also the tensions arriving
from this increasing competition.
Emergence of ‘global’ threats (threats
that are not isolated to a particular
place).
General Themes





World being pulled in different
directions:
Cooperation v competition
Peace v War
Outward v inward looking
Liberation of Man v continued
oppression of Man
Historical pattern:
Any big event (e.g. War,
revolutions, economic crisis) will
have political, economic and social
repercussions.
Political History
1) Big political events
E.g. Political upheaval
War. Changes in governance
2) Concerned with key political
figures and ideas
“Great Man History”
Social History
1) How society was ordered
(Class, gender relations, myths, conventions)
2)How common people lived their daily lives,
E.g. Response to political + economic
changes, fashion, food etc.
Economic History
1) Study of past economies
and events that affect economy, jobs, etc.
E.g. Industrial Revolution, Great Depression
2) Concern with economic forces
Expectations




1) Taking perspectives, both important
as a historical and as an inter-personal
skill.
I.e. Put yourself in the shoes of others
(historical figures, teacher, other
classmates)
I.e. Be respectful of others. (Handing in
your work on time, listen to others when
they are speaking.)
2) Personal Integrity, being honest
despite the cost.
Expectations cont.



3) Personal Responsibility, ensuring
that you have handed in your work on
time, and have done it to the best of your
ability.
4) Concern for one another, keeping
each other accountable, encouraging each
other to move on in spite of failures.
Aim: To achieve a conducive learning
environment
What you can expect from History
lessons…




-Academically rigorous and fun. (but I
need your cooperation!)
-Interactive learning environment (I
value your feedback/suggestions for
improvement)
-Learning that goes beyond the
textbook.
http://the-historic-times.wikispaces.com
Some Tips




Read ahead to prepare for the next
lesson
Don’t be afraid to ask questions/to
clarify doubts.
Understanding is more important
than memorising
Detect historical patterns
Before the end of every
lesson…
1) Spend 5 mins to do a mind-map to
take stock of what you have learnt for
that lesson.
2) Try to organise it.
(Without reference to textbook/notes etc)
*Good Preparation for Exams*
Example
Of
Mind-map
Elaboration 1
Elaboration 1
Factor 3
Factor 1
Elaboration 2
Example 2
Issue
Factor 2
Additional
Questions?
Example 1
Alternatives?
Examples?
???
European
Enlightenment
Freedom
Rights of
Individual
Liberalism
Reason
Vs.
Tradition
Maintain
Status Quo
ANTI
Social
Justice
Socialism
Communism
Important Ideas
Strong
Army
Feudalism
Little social
mobility
Democracy
Middle
Class
Elite
Conservatism
Working
Class
Capitalism
Feminism
ANTI
Patriarchal
Society
Egalitarianism
Elimination
Of status
And privilege
Equal political rights
For women
Questions



1) A Monarchy would be best supported by
__________ (which ideology?) Explain your
answer
2) Arrange the 4 ideologies in the right order,
starting with the one that emerged first, and
ending with the most recent ideology.
Explain your answer.
3) Which, in your opinion, is the most dangerous
ideology? Explain your answer
Identify one important
ideology that is missing…
Overarching Essential
Question:
What prompts a nation to act
in a particular way?
Is it strict adherence to ideology or
something?
Overarching Essential
Understanding
Nations act in accordance
with their perceived national
interest.
National Interests can transcend ideological boundaries
Politics of Pragmatism.
Regardless of ideological
stripes/beliefs
Lesson 1
Period 2
Unit 1
World War I
What was the world like
In 1914?
What caused WWI?
World War I
How did the world
Change after WWI?
What happened in WWI?
1. What was the World
like in 1914?
Setting the stage for the
conflict
“Great Powers” – The Main
Characters

Britain
France
Germany
Austria
What qualifies them
as
“Great Powers”?
1) Size of empire
2) Level of
industrialisation

Russia
Vast size and
population



Other emerging powers


USA



Japan

Growing skilled
workforce + Rich in
natural resources.
Many inventions
1894-5: Defeated
China (Gained Taiwan
+ Influence over
Korea) Treaty of
Shimonoseki
1904-5: Defeated
Russia (Gained parts
of Manchuria +
Control over Korea)
Treaty of Portsmouth
World in 1914


Growth of Industries (Ever since
Industrial Revolution in late 18th
Century)
Industrialisation leading to new
inventions E.g. Steam engines,
railway, telegram, telephone.
External Effects of Industrialisation




Economic changes leading to social and
political changes: (Historical pattern)
Growing empires of Industrialised nations.
A shrinking world – i.e. interconnected. //
to Globalisation in our age.
Increased Mobility of people (travel),
money (investments), information (news,
ideas, culture)
Internal Effects of Industrialisation






Economic changes leading to social and
political changes: (Historical pattern)
People move away from agriculture (rural
countryside) to get better paid jobs in the
factory (urban towns)
Rapid growth of towns. Overcrowding +
Unsanitary living conditions +
discontentment
Increase in literacy.
Able to read and write newspapers.
Rapid spread of ideas. (Print Revolution)
How societies were organised






Britain: Constitutional Monarchy
France: Republican
Germany: Constitutional Monarchy
Russia: Absolute Monarchy (but in
1905, Parliament was established.)
Austria-Hungary: Constitutional
Monarchy.
Serbia: Constitutional Monarchy
Agenda for Reform




Desire to make society more
egalitarian. I.e Equal Opportunities
Widening the franchise (who gets to
vote).
Aimed at giving women and working
classes a voice in how country is run.
Taking power away from Elite to the
marginalised (Power Struggle)
2. What caused WWI?
Trigger
2)
Short Term causes
3)
Long Term causes
Why did the various countries
go to war?
1)
4)
Trigger


Assassination of Archduke Franz
Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a
19 year old student Gravilo Princip
(had links to Serbian secret society
“Black Hand”)
Why did an assassination incident in
the Balkans launch Europe into a
War?
Causes






Long Term
Weak Ottoman Empire
Discontentment
amongst Southern
Slavs
Russia’s historic quest
for Constantinople
Rising Nationalism and
Militarism
Germany’s growing
ambitions (vs. France,
Britain)





Short Term
Conflict in the Balkans
1908/1912
Conflict in Morocco
(Ger vs. Fr)
Arms Race (Ger vs.
Br)
Alliance System (But
note exception of
Italy)
Relationships
Weakening Ottoman
Empire
(Turkey)
Britain
Balkans
Germany
(Southern-Slavs)
France
Serbia
Centre of Slavic
Nationalism
Russia
“Protector of Slavs”
VS.
Italy
Austria-Hungary
Multi-Ethnic
Why did those particular
nations enter the fray?
Those who entered the War either
sought to maintain or change the
Status Quo in Europe, to the
benefit of their own country.
Activity 1
Communication
Of National Agendas
Get into pairs for this activity
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Austria-Hungary
Germany
Russia
France
Britain
Serbia
Activity 1 – Mobilising the People


Each pair will be given a country card
with a list of the country’s national
agendas, which led to that country
entering the War.
You have to assume the role of the
Cultural Czar, and come up with a
convincing propaganda poster to
rally your countrymen behind the
government’s decision to go to war.
Activity 1 cont.



Come up with a propaganda poster
before next lesson.
Explain why you came up with a
particular slogan
And how it will appeal to the people.
Why is it important to
appeal to the People?
I.e. Why is Popular Opinion so
important?
Why did War break out in
Europe?
Lesson 1
Period 3
3. What happened
during WWI?
What happened during WWI





War on many fronts.
Western Front: Trench War fare. Bloody
Stalemate. But after Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Germany broke through the Western Front and
advanced on Paris again. Timely help from
America. (Wiki, Obituary: Poems 2 and 3)
Eastern Front: German Army secured total
victory in the East. Triggered revolution in Russia.
Submarines: Used to blockade ports. To prevent
supplies from reaching Britain/Germany to starve
the civilian population.
Dreadnoughts were hardly used.
What happened (cont.)




Some new countries (Italy + USA)
entered; others e.g. Russia left
(Treaty of Brest-Litovsk 1918)
The protracted war was taking a toll
on all parties – Stalemate.
German Army was NOT defeated.
Truce called. Armistice.
Find out more:
http://www.firstworldwar.com
/index.htm
Find one piece of information about WWI
(military battles, slogans etc)
that interests you, and write a short
paragraph in the Wiki site, (under
Discussion:“Interesting snippets about
WWI”) about WHY it is particularly
interesting to you.
How did the World
change after WWI?
I.e. What were the
effects/consequences of
WWI?
Political effects of WWI

Toppled existing systems of governance.
(i) Russian Revolution 1917: Monarchy to Dictatorship of
Proletariat. (This had social and economic repercussions)
(ii) Kaiser abdicates in Germany 1918: Monarchy to Republic
(Weimar government)
(iii) In Hungary, a Communist Government was elected into
power in March 1919.
“None of the defeated countries escaped revolution.”

Creation of new political nationstates/countries. (Re-drawing of the map
of Europe) “Self-determination”
Political effects cont.

American government retreats
into Isolationism.
Failure of Liberalism.
 Socialism becoming increasingly
popular as an alternative ideology.
(Led to social changes)

Economic effects





Economic dislocation. (i.e. A lot of
problems with the economy)
War time expenditure led to massive
government debt (War had been waged
beyond resources).
Unemployment (Factories took a while to
shift from war-time production)
Inflation of prices. (Due to shortage of
goods)
Low levels of international trade
Social effects



Women in some countries won the
right to vote.
But the extent of the changes in
attitudes towards women’s role in
society is debatable.
Now that the men are back from war,
women may have to return to the
homes. (Public v. Private spheres)
Psychological effects




Disillusionment amongst population
Destroyed the notion that the
Western civilisation is superior.
(Destruction of Christian values.
What of the ‘White-man’s burden’)
Survivors have to deal with the loss
of family + friends
Post-war trauma for ex-service men
Activity 2
Drawing up the terms of the
“Treaty of Versailles”
Activity 2


You are the foreign minister of _______.
You and the other statesmen from the
victorious Allied forces are coming
together at the Palace in Versailles to sign
an agreement as a form of closure to
WWI.
Think about your respective national
interests, and come up with clauses (for
the Treaty) that reflects your national
agenda.
The 2 sides







Winners:
Britain (3)
France (3)
Italy (3)
Japan (2)
USA (3)
Amongst others





Losers:
Germany
Austria
Turkey
Bulgaria
Treaty of Versailles




“Conference of Victors”
Reflects national agendas of the
victors.
Aim: To keep Germany weak.
Was it a fair Treaty?
Consequences of
WWI
Performance Task

-

-
-
Individual Work
2 mind maps (Causes +
Consequences)
Pair/Group Work
Activity 1: Reason for entering War +
Translation into Propaganda
Activity 2: National agendas +
Translation into clauses for Treaty of
Versailles
Further reading


Eric Hobsbawm, The Age of Extremes: A
History of the World, 1914-1991, (New
York: Vintage Books, 1996).
James Joll, The Origins of the First World
War (2nd ed.), (London: Longman, 1992.)