Appeasement

Appeasement – the policy of settling international quarrels by negotiation and compromise rather than force which has become particularly identified with British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain – is one of the most fiercely debated issues in the history of international relations between the two world wars. Take a look at these two video clips from the classic BBC Schools programe “Why Appeasement?” for an introduction to the topic.

Part 1

Part 2

For a quick revision of the topic look at the BBC Bitesize site. John Clare has good pages on Appeasement and Who started it.
The I Love History Website has a good podcast, while the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography has a sophisticated analysis of the issue.

And here you can listen to Chamberlain himself on the Munich Crisis.

Finally, take a look at another classic video clip, this time from the World at War series and then make a comment on the Wallwisher on Appeasement.

Published in: on February 7, 2010 at 9:33 pm Comments (0)
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The Spanish Civil War

Not only did it tear Spain apart, but the Civil War also exposed deep divisions in Europe, thus providing a sad prelude to the events of the Second World War. Take a look at the following resources to gain some valuable background information on the conflict.

Take a look at the following websites too. They provide a wealth of information on the Spanish Civil War and its consequences: Active History, BBC Bitesize, The Imperial War Museum, The History Learning Site, Spartacus International

Published in: on January 31, 2010 at 7:56 pm Comments (0)
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Why Study History

Quite soon you will be asked to make your options for the subjects you want to study at GCSE and, of course, History is one of the choices open to you. Apart from being one of the most interesting and enjoyable subjects to study at this level, it is also one of the most useful and will provide you with many of the skills in demand from top employers. Whether it be business, politics, law, the media, marketing, education and even science, studying History will be of invaluable help.

Why not take a look at some of these History teacher videos to get a a taste of the course?

Mr Allsop’s video

Another video by Mr Allsop, this time to accompany the Billy Joel Song “We didn´t start the Fire” which deals with a succession of events in American History:

Published in: on January 27, 2010 at 7:13 pm Comments (0)
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Tudor Religion

A good introduction to the religious changes that took place during Tudor times can be found on the website for the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. You will also find plenty of other interesting information on the Tudor period on this site. As usual the Woodlands School website has a lot of good resources on this topic. Look at their section on the Dissolution of the Monasteries to help out.

This video also acts as a brief introduction.

Published in: on January 24, 2010 at 5:34 pm Comments (0)

The Slave Trade


The slave trade was a highly lucrative trade for Britain and other European nations during the 18th and 19th centuries. Slaves were taken from Africa across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas in appalling conditions in a journey known as “the middle passage”.

Take a look at this excellent website developed by the National Maritime Museum which examines the Triangular Trade, resistance to it, the reasons why it was abolished and its impact. Try the exhibition activity as a way of testing your understanding of the topic.

Other useful information can be found at the Channel Four site, and the Amistad site.

You can listen to Olaudah Equiano’s accounts of the riches of Africa, being kidnapped by slave traders, the Middle Passage and of being sold if you click on these links.

Published in: on January 16, 2010 at 5:37 pm Comments (0)
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League of Nations – topic revision

Here are some more videos that will help you understand the the League of Nations topic and the events that led to the organisation’s eventual demise. Watch the extracts and take notes.

The Manchurian Crisis

The League, Disarmament and the Abyssinian Crisis

The League and the 1930s (Spain, Sudentenland, Munich and Poland)

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The League of Nations – the 1930s

After the calamatous events of the 1929 Wall Street Crash and its effects on the world economy, the League of Nations faced an uphill task as it tried to deal with a succession of crises in the 1930s. Take a look at the following video clips to help give you an overview of the period.

An informative school videocast from St Patrick´s High School

An extract from the documentary series World at War on the Japanese invastion of Manchuria

Information from the Britannica website on the Manchurian invasion

An interesting American wartime propaganda piece on the Manchurian and Abyssinian crises

Having looked at the video clips and using your own information on the topic why not add your own comments as to why the League failed to the Wallwisher below:

Published in: on January 9, 2010 at 2:57 pm Comments (0)
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Castles

William the Conqueror built castles to control his new kingdom of England after defeating Harold at the Battle of Hastings. Over the next 500 years castles evolved from the simple Motte and Bailey into highly complex, and impressive, fortresses equipped with a vast array of defensive features. Take a look at the excellent Woodland School website for more information on how castles changed and developed during this period. Look at this link for information on castle features.

Published in: on December 15, 2009 at 7:55 pm Comments (0)
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League of Nations – the 1920s

The League of Nations was established after the First World War with the aim of preventing armed conflict, bringing about disarmament, encouraging international co-operation and improving living and working conditions. Have a look at the following video for a interesting introduction to the work of the organisation.

Evaluating the success of the League of Nations is one of the most popular questions at GCSE level. Have a look at this video for some clear, concise and very valuable advice on how to answer part c) questions at IGCSE.

Published in: on December 9, 2009 at 10:07 pm Comments (0)
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The Domesday Book


The Domesday Book is the name given to the Great Survey carried out on the orders of William the Conqueror after he became King of England. The survey contained a vast array of information on who owned what throughout the country and helped him raise money through taxation of his new subjects. The Domesday Book is one of the earliest public records in English history.

Take a look at the national archive site for extra information, games and videos on the Domesday Book.

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