Year 9 History

Term 

What are we learning 

1-2 

World War One and Western Front 

The initial focus of this unit is on the reasons why WWI broke out in 1914. This involves the students considering the context of Europe around 1900 and going on to investigate the long-term and short-term causes which comprise of political, military, and economic factors. Once this is covered, students go on to learn about the key battles of WWI, the treatment and transport of the wounded and the surgical and medical advancements that took place on the Western Front. 

3 

Suffrage 

In this unit students will study how women strove towards equal voting rights throughout the 19th century and the impact this had on how women were perceived. Students will also study how and why the electorate widened in general, including the place in society of working-class men. Students explore the key campaigns led by women, the Suffragettes, and the Suffragists, and consider which methods were most successful and why, and how far progress was made. 

4 

Dictatorship and World War Two 

This unit begins with an investigation into the question of ‘How did Europe fall under the control of dictators?’ To answer this question, students will study the rise of Stalin (Communist USSR), Mussolini (Fascist Italy) and Hitler (Nazi Germany) with particular focus on their use of propaganda/censorship and fear. Students will then look at the reasons for the outbreak of WWII and the key battles and operations that took place e.g. Evacuation of Dunkirk, Pearl Harbour and the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  

5 

The Holocaust 

This unit focuses on how and why this genocide happened when it did and examines interpretations of who was to blame. Students begin by studying the treatments of Jews throughout history, with a specific focus on Medieval Europe which is where a lot of Nazi ideologies and methods of persecution are founded. Classes will then examine the treatment of Jews and minority groups in Nazi Germany before they look at examples of Jewish resistance during this time. The unit is rounded off with a reminder of why it is important that we continue to learn about the Holocaust and how it is still relevant today.  

Links 

History lessons for Key Stage 3 students - Oak National Academy (thenational.academy)