Let’s Visit History!

1. Let’s Visit History! A History Alive Lesson

2. Here’s the Plan! • We’re going to go on a class trip, to visit some of the significant figures people and events from the recent history of the Eastern Hemisphere. • You’ll learn some facts about them. (Some of them will be familiar, some won’t.) Try to figure out which ones you feel are the most important. • Please keep your hands and feet inside the time machine at all times! • Don’t touch or take anything from the past. You could upset the space time continuum!

3. Step One!- Pick a Time Machine

4. China

5. 1949 – The Communist Revolution Following World War II, civil war breaks out between the communist forces of Mao Zedong and the Nationalist forces of Chiang Kai-shek This will lead to millions of deaths and the destruction of much of China’s cultural heritage.. The communist government of The People’s Republic of China is still in power today.

6. 1989 - Tiananmen Square Protests • A series of demonstrations in the center of Beijing. • Led by students and intellectuals, this series of protests called for large scale reform of the government and economy. • On April 15, the government sent in tanks to disperse the protestors. • Conservative estimates put the death toll at 3000.

7. 1949 – Present - Taiwan • Under Japanese control until after World War II, when it was made part of China. • The Democratic government of Chiang Kai-shek retreated to the island in 1949. • Developed into an economic powerhouse while never signing a formal peace agreement with the communist government of mainland China

8. Iran

9. January 1979 – The Fall of the Shah • The Shah had been taken power with the support of the United States government. • The Shah’s government was able to modernize the country, but also crushed political opposition. • Beginning in 1978, strikes and demonstrations paralyze the country. The Shah flees in 1979 as the country becomes an Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Khomeini

10. November 1979 – The Hostage Crisis • On November 4th a group of students storm the US embassy taking the staff hostage. • 55 people are held by the students for 444 days. • US President Carter tries unsuccessfully to negotiate their release. • The hostages are finally released in January of 1981.

11. Today – Nuclear Issues • Iran’s nuclear program began under the Shah, but was stopped after the revolution. • Estimates have Iran at around two years from development of nuclear weapons • The country’s continued efforts to gain nuclear weapons has put it at odds with much of the rest of the world.

12. Russia

13. 1917 – The Russian Revolution Russia is suffering the physical and economic effects of the first world war. This leads to the abdication and execution of Czar Nicholas II. This leads to the founding of the Soviet Union under Vladimir Lenin. It is the first socialist state.

14. October 1962 – The Cuban Missile Crisis • In 1962, the Soviet Union began a plan to install nuclear missiles in Cuba. • This led to a standoff between the United States and Soviet Union, bringing the world to the brink of nuclear war. • President Kennedy and the Soviets finally came to an agreement toward the end of the month. • The Cuban missiles would be dismantled, as would US missiles in Turkey.

15. 1989 – The Fall of the Berlin Wall • The Wall had been built to separate and isolate West Berlin by East Germany in 1961. • Families were divided and people were no longer allowed to travel between the two parts of the city. • The wall became an international symbol of the evils of the Eastern Bloc. • The decline of the Soviet Union led to the opening of travel between East and West, the removal of the wall, and eventual reunification of Germany.

16. India

17. 1915 – Gandhi Works for Indian Independence • Gandhi returns to India after working for civil rights in South Africa • He begins a campaign of non-violent resistance against the British Colonial government. • His work led to the Independence of India in 1947.

18. 1947 – The Partition • As the British prepare to transfer rule back to the Indian people, a plan is put into action to divide India to create Pakistan, a Muslim homeland on the Indian sub-continent. • 14 million people are displaced by this decision. Many of them are killed by violence or disease along the journey. • The country of Pakistan was again divided by the creation of Bangladesh in 1971. • Tensions continue to be high in the region.

19. Technology RevolutionTransforms India • India has transformed itself as technological leader in our world today • This revolution was brought about a revolution in education.

20. Sudan

21. 1899-1956 – Imperialist Rule • The nation is ruled by the Egyptian government, overseen by British Authorities. • Sudan plays an active part in the African campaigns of World War II. • The British leave in 1956, granting independence to the first modern independent Sudanese government.

22. 1955- Civil War Begins • Before the British transfer power, Civil War erupts between the north and south of the country. • The war and resulting famine led to the death of nearly two million people. • A ceasefire agreement in 1983 led to a brief period of peace.

23. 2003 – War in Darfur • A conflict between black African and Arab forces, fighting for control of the country. • The government of Sudan takes no official side in the conflict, but is suspected of supporting the Arab militia groups. • The United States considers the conflict to be genocide.

24. Here- Today Please exercise caution when exiting the time machine!