Modern History

Modern History gives you the opportunity to travel and meet many people. In your last two years of school, travel with us and learn from the mistakes of others!

Ask historical questions! Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?

While in Year 11, undertake the Preliminary Modern History Course and take our Preliminary world tour to some of the hot spots of world history.

Our first stop will be South Africa. Watch as the might of the British Empire is tested on the battlefields of the Transvaal. Why was Breaker Morant shot by firing squad during the Boer War?

Like to travel to Europe? From South Africa, travel to France in the 18th century. Why did the masses storm the Bastille? Did King Louis XVI of France deserve to have his head cut off in 1793?

We then move to Europe in the early Twentieth Century and watch as the assassination of Franz Ferdinand draws Europe into war in 1914. Did the war occur by 'timetable'? Who do you blame? What would you do if you were in charge of Germany? Sail the high the seas of European diplomacy as Europe slips into war.

After examining the evidence about the outbreak of war, move forward to Germany. Achtung! Imagine you are at Nuremburg. You are unemployed, your hopes have been dashed. Will you vote for the mustachioed saviour of Germany? Will you accept the Nazis or reject them? Why did Hitler lose the war? If you want answers then travel with us to Germany between the years 1918 to 1945.

We begin our tour in Japan - 19th century Japan. Who were the Tokugawa? Just how sharp are those swords of the Samurai? Who or what was the Shogun? Sail into Japan with Commodore Perry and look at the marvel of 19th century Japan as she meets the West. Who will win: "Eastern ethics or Western Science" or will it be gunboat diplomacy?

From Japan we will travel to the battlefields of World War One and the desperation of the German Home Front and the divisions of the Australian Home Front. Examine the weapons of war and judge the Generals! Who were the Butchers and Bunglers? Will you make it across No-Man's Land? We'll meet you on the other side - careful, here comes the artillery bombardment!

Having survived the Somme, we meet finally on the doorstep of Revolution in Russia. 1917. Desperation, famine, strikes, war, ... Revolution. Who were the Bolsheviks? "Peace, Land, Bread!" Why did they come to power? What role did terror play in Stalin's Russia? Was he really the Red Tsar?

Modern History is an exciting adventure that gives the discerning student the opportunity to develop many skills:

• analytical skills
• skills in the use of evidence
• ability to present an argument
• ability to distinguish between fact and fiction
• enjoy themselves!

Like to follow a more in-depth study of Modern History? Then perhaps you would like to undertake the 3 Unit option. In this course, we examine the concept of Revolution through a study of the French and Russian Revolutions.