Particular focus should be given to topics that we will cover in the first term: Rights and Protest -
This prescribed subject focuses on struggles for rights and freedoms in the mid-20th century. Two case studies are prescribed, from two different regions of the world, and both of these case studies must be studied. The first case study explores the civil rights movement in the US between 1954 and the passing of the Voting Rights Act in 1965. The second case study explores protests against apartheid in South Africa. It focuses specifically on the years 1948–1964, beginning with the election of the National Party in 1948 and ending with the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela and his co-defendants following the Rivonia trial in 1964.
Topics that will be covered later in the course will also include tensions and rivalries during the Cold War, authoritarian leaders such as Fidel Castro and Abdel Nasser, and political and social developments in the USA as well as Latin America.
An excellent site for all topics that gives links to websites and articles recommended by historians for students.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/
Another excellent site that is targeted at school students. Notes, activities and review quizzes on key Modern World History Topics.
http://spartacus-educational.com/
Has overviews of some topics as well as references to a lot of primary sources which will encourage students to consider where and how information can be sourced.
Magazines: Begin to consider History in the context of modern day events and developments by reading Time Magazine or Newsweek. Other titles such as History Today and the BBC History magazine also offer excellent articles on our areas of interest.
Books:
Read a book that focuses on the Civil Rights movement in the USA or Apartheid in South Africa.
To watch:A few examples below, but see your teacher for a broader list of films to watch related to the Cold War – he/she has probably seen them all!
Civil Rights:
Cold War:
Available in the Secondary Library.
