Modern History Historical Investigation

1. Modern History Historical Investigation The beginning of your journey The beginning of a learning curve about history The beginning of a learning experience about yourself

2. Historical investigation The way forward

3. Hints on choosing a topic Historical investigation Any historical debate from any country in the 18th, 19th, 20th centuries The investigation should not overlap with or duplicate significantly any topic attempted for the HSC Modern History or History Extension courses. Your topic must centre around an historical debate relating to the topic, i.e. a topic where there is not clear agreement about the causes, the events or the aftermath.

4. It could be: • An aspect of your preliminary core study – World at beginning of 20th century. • A personality (but needs to be one of significant importance to the history of a period, and should reflect some controversy in interpretation about their lives). • International conflicts to the present day • A Preliminary case study.

8. Some historical investigation topics from previous years To what extent was slavery a cover up by Abraham Lincoln to finish an unpopular war? Evaluate the way in which the German government handled the events in 1972 in Munich. Did we land on the moon? Did Lee Harvey Oswald work alone to assassinate JFK? Evaluate the verdict of the Warren commission. Assess the extent to which McCarthy used the idea of communism as a political scare tactic to control political and cultural opponents?

9. Some historical investigation topics from previous years To what extent is it true that the world failed the people of Rwanda? How did the Tiananmen Square massacre affect Chinese/American relationships? Who was Jezebel, Cleopatra, great women of History? Assess Che Guevara’s political life and his effectiveness as a leader. How successful was the League of Nations in fulfilling its goals? Ned Kelly - hero or villain?

10. Suggestions Event: September 11, Sinking of the Lusitania, Turkish view of Anzac Day, Vietnamese Australian’s view of the American War Issue: Execution of Breaker Morant, female suffrage, American Civil War, Civil Rights Movement in the USA in 1950/60s Personality: Qn Victoria, Che Guevara, Martin Luther King Group: Ku Klux Klan

11. Suggestions: Museums as History Historical fiction – how valuable? Construction of history in the media – the director’s role in creating history Critical analysis of a major historical work Value of archaeologist/scientist to the historian Thematic study Historical debate Value of art /oral history/ biographies to the historian

12. What to do from this point? • Check the BOS Modern History syllabus at www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au to avoid choosing topics that are not alllowable. Check with me if you are unsure – we may be able to play with the topic • Choose an area in which you can maintain a long term interest, you already have some background knowledge or interest • Is this topic manageable? – you have 6 ½ weeks – this is not your life’s work • DO NOT delve into very detailed information. • You are looking for an overview of your topic • Try an encyclopaedia • Consult the resource list on the wiki • You should commit to an enquiry area in week 2 of term 2

13. .....and, remember not to get too stressed – enjoy the ride!!