Introduction to the 20th Century

This is an introduction lesson to introduce the twentieth century. It is based on Eric Hobsbawms description of the 20th Century being 'The Short Twentieth Century' and/or the Age of Extremes.

This lesson is ideal for the beginning of a GCSE course on 20th Century History, or an MYP 5/ IB Diploma lesson to introduce the twentieth century.

The lesson has 4 tasks.

Starter: With photos of scenes from across the 20th Century students must decide what the 20th century will be most remembered for.

Task 2: Students follow a powerpoint and complete a cheat sheet - note taking template.

Task 3: A research task where the students will research and colour in a map that highlights a theme of the twentieth century.

Plenary: To discuss again what the twentieth century will be most famous for - Some guiding questions that focus on the learning objectives.

Learning objective: Note present in the powerpoint.
All must be able: To understand the global processes of the 20th Century.
Most should be able: To think about why the 20th Century was so bloody.
Some Could be able: To apply the historiography of the twentieth century, how it followed Hegel's view of dialectical movement of time.