History (Version 8.4)

Understand how History works

Rationale

History is a disciplined process of inquiry into the past that develops students’ curiosity and imagination. Awareness of history is an essential characteristic of any society, and historical knowledge is fundamental to understanding ourselves and and others.

Aims

The Australian Curriculum: History aims to ensure that students develop:

interest in, and enjoyment of, historical study for lifelong learning and work, including their capacity and willingness to be informed and active citizens

Structure

The Australian Curriculum: History is organised into two interrelated strands: historical knowledge and understanding and historical inquiry and skills.
Historical knowledge and understanding strand
This strand includes personal, family, local, state or territory, national, regional and world history.

PDF documents

Resources and support materials for the Australian Curriculum: History are available as PDF documents.
History: Sequence of content 7-10
History: Sequence of achievement 7-10

Glossary

Year 9

Year 9 Level Description

The making of the modern world

The Year 9 curriculum provides a study of the history of the making of the modern world from 1750 to 1918. It was a period of industrialisation and rapid change in the ways people lived, worked and thought. It was an era of nationalism and imperialism, and the colonisation of Australia was part of the expansion of European power. The period culminated in World War I, 1914–1918, the ‘war to end all wars’.

The content provides opportunities to develop historical understanding through key concepts, including evidence, continuity and change, cause and effect, perspectives, empathy, significance and contestability. These concepts may be investigated within a particular historical context to facilitate an understanding of the past and to provide a focus for historical inquiries.

The history content at this year level involves two strands: historical knowledge and understanding, and historical skills. These strands are interrelated and have been developed to be taught in an integrated way, and in ways that are appropriate to specific local contexts. The order and detail in which they are taught are programming decisions.

Key inquiry questions

A framework for developing students’ historical knowledge, understanding and skills is provided by inquiry questions through the use and interpretation of sources. The key inquiry questions for Year 9 are:

What were the changing features of the movements of people from 1750 to 1918?
How did new ideas and technological developments contribute to change in this period?
What was the origin, development, significance and long-term impact of imperialism in this period?
What was the significance of World War I?

Year 9 Content Descriptions

Historical Knowledge and Understanding

Overview of the making of the modern world

The following content is taught as part of an overview for the historical period. It is not intended to be taught in depth. Overview content identifies important features of the period (1750 – 1918) as part of an expansive chronology that helps students understand broad patterns of historical change. As such, the overview provides the broader context for the teaching of depth study content and can be built into various parts of a teaching and learning program. This means that overview content can be used to give students an introduction to the historical period; to make the links to and between the depth studies, and to consolidate understanding through a review of the period.

Overview content for the making of the modern world includes the following:

the nature and significance of the Industrial Revolution and how it affected living and working conditions, including within Australia (ACOKFH016 - Scootle )

the nature and extent of the movement of peoples in the period (slaves, convicts and settlers) (ACOKFH015 - Scootle )

the extent of European imperial expansion and different responses, including in the Asian region (ACOKFH017 - Scootle )

the emergence and nature of significant economic, social and political ideas in the period, including nationalism (ACOKFH019 - Scootle )

Depth Studies

Making a better world?

Students investigate how life changed in the period in depth through the study of ONE of these major developments: the Industrial Revolution or Progressive ideas and movements or Movement of peoples. The study includes the causes and effects of the development, and the Australian experience.

The Industrial Revolution (1750 – 1914)

The technological innovations that led to the Industrial Revolution, and other conditions that influenced the industrialisation of Britain (ACDSEH017 - Scootle )

The population movements and changing settlement patterns during this period (ACDSEH080 - Scootle )

The experiences of men, women and children during the Industrial Revolution, and their changing way of life (ACDSEH081 - Scootle )

The short and long-term impacts of the Industrial Revolution, including global changes in landscapes, transport and communication (ACDSEH082 - Scootle )

Progressive ideas and movements (1750 – 1918)

The emergence and nature of key ideas in the period, with a particular focus on ONE of the following: capitalism, socialism, egalitarianism, nationalism, imperialism, Darwinism, Chartism (ACDSEH019 - Scootle )

Reasons why ONE key idea emerged and/or developed a following (ACDSEH086 - Scootle )

The role of an individual or group in the promotion of ONE of these key ideas, and the responses to it, for example from workers, entrepreneurs, land owners, religious groups (ACDSEH087 - Scootle )

The short and long-term impacts of ONE of these ideas on Australia and the world (ACDSEH088 - Scootle )

Movement of peoples (1750 – 1901)

The influence of the Industrial Revolution on the movement of peoples throughout the world, including the transatlantic slave trade and convict transportation (ACDSEH018 - Scootle )

Experiences of slaves, convicts and free settlers upon departure, their journey abroad, and their reactions on arrival, including the Australian experience (ACDSEH083 - Scootle )

Changes in the way of life of a group(s) of people who moved to Australia in this period, such as free settlers on the frontier in Australia (ACDSEH084 - Scootle )

The short and long-term impacts of the movement of peoples during this period (ACDSEH085 - Scootle )

Australia and Asia

Students investigate the history of an Asian society OR Australia in the period 1750 – 1918 in depth.

Asia and the world

Key features (social, cultural, economic, political) of ONE Asian society at the start of this period (ACDSEH093 - Scootle )

Change and continuity in the Asian society during this period, including any effects of contact (intended and unintended) with European power(s) (ACDSEH094 - Scootle )

The position of the Asian society in relation to other nations in the world around the turn of the twentieth century (that is 1900), including the influence of key ideas such as nationalism (ACDSEH142 - Scootle )

The significance of ONE key event that involved the Asian society and European power(s), including different perspectives of the event at the time (ACDSEH141 - Scootle )

Making a nation

The extension of settlement, including the effects of contact (intended and unintended) between European settlers in Australia and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (ACDSEH020 - Scootle )

Experiences of non-Europeans in Australia prior to the 1900s (such as the Japanese, Chinese, South Sea Islanders, Afghans) (ACDSEH089 - Scootle )

Living and working conditions in Australia around the turn of the twentieth century (that is 1900) (ACDSEH090 - Scootle )

Key people, events and ideas in the development of Australian self-government and democracy, including, the role of founders, key features of constitutional development, the importance of British and Western influences in the formation of Australia’s system of government and women's voting rights (ACDSEH091 - Scootle )

Laws made by federal Parliament between 1901-1914 including the Harvester Judgement, pensions, and the Immigration Restriction Act (ACDSEH092 - Scootle )

World War I (1914-1918)

Students investigate key aspects of World War I and the Australian experience of the war, including the nature and significance of the war in world and Australian history.

World War I (1914-1918)

An overview of the causes of World War I and the reasons why men enlisted to fight in the war (ACDSEH021 - Scootle )

The places where Australians fought and the nature of warfare during World War I, including the Gallipoli campaign (ACDSEH095 - Scootle )

The impact of World War I, with a particular emphasis on Australia including the changing role of women (ACDSEH096 - Scootle )

The commemoration of World War I, including debates about the nature and significance of the Anzac legend (ACDSEH097 - Scootle )

Historical Skills

Chronology, terms and concepts

Use chronological sequencing to demonstrate the relationship between events and developments in different periods and places (ACHHS164 - Scootle )

Use historical terms and concepts (ACHHS165 - Scootle )

Historical questions and research

Identify and select different kinds of questions about the past to inform historical inquiry (ACHHS166 - Scootle )

Evaluate and enhance these questions (ACHHS167 - Scootle )

Identify and locate relevant sources, using ICT and other methods (ACHHS168 - Scootle )

Analysis and use of sources

Identify the origin, purpose and context of primary and secondary sources (ACHHS169 - Scootle )

Process and synthesise information from a range of sources for use as evidence in an historical argument (ACHHS170 - Scootle )

Evaluate the reliability and usefulness of primary and secondary sources (ACHHS171 - Scootle )

Perspectives and interpretations

Identify and analyse the perspectives of people from the past (ACHHS172 - Scootle )

Identify and analyse different historical interpretations (including their own) (ACHHS173 - Scootle )

Explanation and communication

Develop texts, particularly descriptions and discussions that use evidence from a range of sources that are referenced (ACHHS174 - Scootle )

Select and use a range of communication forms (oral, graphic, written) and digital technologies (ACHHS175 - Scootle )

Year 9 Achievement Standards

Achievement Standard

By the end of Year 9, students refer to key events and the actions of individuals and groups to explain patterns of change and continuity over time. They analyse the causes and effects of events and developments and make judgements about their importance. They explain the motives and actions of people at the time. Students explain the significance of these events and developments over the short and long term. They explain different interpretations of the past.

Students sequence events and developments within a chronological framework, with reference to periods of time and their duration. When researching, students develop different kinds of questions to frame a historical inquiry. They interpret, process, analyse and organise information from a range of primary and secondary sources and use it as evidence to answer inquiry questions. Students examine sources to compare different points of view. When evaluating these sources, they analyse origin and purpose, and draw conclusions about their usefulness. They develop their own interpretations about the past. Students develop texts, particularly explanations and discussions, incorporating historical interpretations. In developing these texts and organising and presenting their conclusions, they use historical terms and concepts, evidence identified in sources, and they reference these sources.

Year 9 Work Sample Portfolios

Year 10

Year 10 Level Description

The modern world and Australia

The Year 10 curriculum provides a study of the history of the modern world and Australia from 1918 to the present, with an emphasis on Australia in its global context. The twentieth century became a critical period in Australia’s social, cultural, economic and political development. The transformation of the modern world during a time of political turmoil, global conflict and international cooperation provides a necessary context for understanding Australia’s development, its place within the Asia-Pacific region and its global standing.

Key inquiry questions

How did the nature of global conflict change during the twentieth century?
What were the consequences of World War II? How did these consequences shape the modern world?
How was Australian society affected by other significant global events and changes in this period?

Year 10 Content Descriptions

Historical Knowledge and Understanding

Overview of the modern world and Australia

The following content is taught as part of an overview for the historical period. It is not intended to be taught in depth. Overview content identifies important features of the period (1918 to the present) as part of an expansive chronology that helps students understand broad patterns of historical change. As such, the overview provides the broader context for the teaching of depth study content and can be built into various parts of a teaching and learning program. This means that overview content can be used to give students an introduction to the historical period; to make the links to and between the depth studies, and to consolidate understanding through a review of the period.

Overview content for the Modern World and Australia includes the following:

the inter-war years between World War I and World War II, including the Treaty of Versailles, the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression (ACOKFH018 - Scootle )

continuing efforts post-World War II to achieve lasting peace and security in the world, including Australia’s involvement in UN peacekeeping (ACOKFH021 - Scootle )

the major movements for rights and freedom in the world and the achievement of independence by former colonies (ACOKFH022 - Scootle )

the nature of the Cold War and Australia’s involvement in Cold War and post-Cold War conflicts (Korea, Vietnam, The Gulf Wars, Afghanistan), including the rising influence of Asian nations since the end of the Cold War (ACOKFH023 - Scootle )

developments in technology, public health, longevity and standard of living during the twentieth century, and concern for the environment and sustainability (ACOKFH024 - Scootle )

Depth Studies

World War II (1939-45)

Students investigate wartime experiences through a study of World War II in depth. This includes a study of the causes, events, outcome and broader impact of the conflict as an episode in world history, and the nature of Australia’s involvement.

Overview of the causes and course of World War II (ACDSEH024 - Scootle )

Examination of significant events of World War II, including the Holocaust and use of the atomic bomb (ACDSEH107 - Scootle )

Experiences of Australians during World War II (such as Prisoners of War (POWs), the Battle of Britain, Kokoda, the Fall of Singapore) (ACDSEH108 - Scootle )

The impact of World War II, with a particular emphasis on the Australian home front, including the changing roles of women and use of wartime government controls (conscription, manpower controls, rationing and censorship) (ACDSEH109 - Scootle )

The significance of World War II to Australia’s international relationships in the twentieth century, with particular reference to the United Nations, Britain, the USA and Asia (ACDSEH110 - Scootle )

Rights and freedoms (1945 – the present)

Students investigate struggles for human rights in depth. This will include how rights and freedoms have been ignored, demanded or achieved in Australia and in the broader world context.

The origins and significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including Australia’s involvement in the development of the declaration (ACDSEH023 - Scootle )

Background to the struggle of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples for rights and freedoms before 1965, including the 1938 Day of Mourning and the Stolen Generations (ACDSEH104 - Scootle )

The US civil rights movement and its influence on Australia (ACDSEH105 - Scootle )

The significance of the following for the civil rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples: 1962 right to vote federally; 1967 Referendum; Reconciliation; Mabo decision; Bringing Them Home Report (the Stolen Generations), the Apology (ACDSEH106 - Scootle )

Methods used by civil rights activists to achieve change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and the role of ONE individual or group in the struggle (ACDSEH134 - Scootle )

The continuing nature of efforts to secure civil rights and freedoms in Australia and throughout the world, such as the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007) (ACDSEH143 - Scootle )

The globalising world

Students investigate one major global influence that has shaped Australian society in depth, including the development of the global influence during the twentieth century. Students study ONE of these electives: Popular culture or Migration experiences or The environment movement.

Popular culture (1945 – present)

The nature of popular culture in Australia at the end of World War II, including music, film and sport (ACDSEH027 - Scootle )

Developments in popular culture in post-war Australia and their impact on society, including the introduction of television and rock ’n’ roll (ACDSEH121 - Scootle )

Changing nature of the music, film and television industry in Australia during the post-war period, including the influence of overseas developments (such as Hollywood, Bollywood and the animation film industry in China and Japan) (ACDSEH122 - Scootle )

Australia’s contribution to international popular culture (music, film, television, sport) (ACDSEH123 - Scootle )

Continuity and change in beliefs and values that have influenced the Australian way of life (ACDSEH149 - Scootle )

Migration experiences (1945 – present)

The waves of post-World War II migration to Australia, including the influence of significant world events (ACDSEH144 - Scootle )

The impact of changing government policies on Australia’s migration patterns, including abolition of the White Australia Policy, ‘Populate or Perish’ (ACDSEH145 - Scootle )

The impact of at least ONE world event or development and its significance for Australia, such as the Vietnam War and Indochinese refugees (ACDSEH146 - Scootle )

The contribution of migration to Australia’s changing identity as a nation and to its international relationships (ACDSEH147 - Scootle )

The environment movement (1960s – present)

The background to environmental awareness, including the nineteenth century National Parks movement in America and Australia (ACDSEH028 - Scootle )