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Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority

History

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  1. 9-10

Levels 9 and 10

Levels 9 and 10 Description

The Making of the Modern World and Australia

In Levels 9 and 10, students study the making of the modern world from 1750 to 1918 and the modern world and Australia from 1918–present. It covers the period of industrialisation and rapid change in the ways people lived, worked and thought, the era of nationalism and imperialism, and the colonisation of Australia which was part of the expansion...

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Levels 9 and 10 Content Descriptions

Historical Concepts and Skills

Chronology Elaborations
  1. Sequence significant events in chronological order to support analysis of the causes and effects of these events and identify the changes they brought about (VCHHC121)
    1. creating a timeline that identifies the significant events or individuals across the period 1750-1918 and observe and discuss patterns of causation and change and/or identifying parts of the world that were involved in, or affected by, those events
    2. developing an argument using historical sources and perspectives about the effects of the Industrial Revolution on changing living and working conditions, including within Australia society in the 19th Century
    3. placing in sequence the main events of the Freedom Rides campaigns in the United States and Australia and explaining the links between the two campaigns
    4. using interactive timelines to explore the various manifestations or effects of an event in different geographical locations
    5. organising a range of primary sources and/or perspectives in chronological order to support the development of a historical argument about effects or changes
  2. Analyse and evaluate the broad patterns of change over the period 1750–present (VCHHC122)
    1. using data from immigration records and processing it using ICT to identify historical trends over time
    2. explaining the nature and extent of the movement of peoples in the period (slaves, convicts and settlers) and the emergence and nature of significant economic, social and political ideas in the period, including nationalism
    3. analysing the extent of European imperial expansion and different responses, including in the Asian region
    4. evaluating the inter-war years between World War I and World War II, including the Treaty of Versailles, the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression
    5. evaluating continuing efforts post-World War II to achieve lasting peace and security in the world, including Australia’s involvement in UN peacekeeping
    6. analysing the major movements for rights and freedom in the world and evaluating the achievement of independence by former colonies
    7. explaining 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
    8. explaining developments in technology, public health, longevity and standard of living during the twentieth century, and concern for the environment and sustainability
Historical sources as evidence Elaborations
  1. Analyse and corroborate sources and evaluate their accuracy, usefulness and reliability (VCHHC123)
    1. developing a set of questions that support student’s analysis of sources
    2. recognising the role of ICT in providing access to sources and the need to ask relevant questions of those sources, for example, a Google search for ‘significance of Kokoda’
    3. identifying literal and symbolic features of sources and explain their purpose and inferences
    4. understanding that the reliability and usefulness of a source depends on the questions asked of it, for example, an account may be one-sided and therefore of use in revealing past prevailing attitudes. Discuss the reliability and usefulness of Martin Luther King’s 1963 ‘I Have A Dream’ speech as a source to assist in understanding the aims and motivations of the US Civil Rights movement
    5. corroborating a range of historical sources identifying similarities, differences and inconsistencies
  2. Analyse the different perspectives of people in the past and evaluate how these perspectives are influenced by significant events, ideas, location, beliefs and values (VCHHC124)
    1. using a range of sources to identify different perspectives and construct an argument about the experiences of people at the time
    2. examining different accounts of eighteenth-century journey to Australia, for example, ships’ logs, diaries, recorded testimonies of convicts and officers, both male and female, and explaining the variations in perspective which can lead to different historical interpretations
    3. identifying in a range of perspectives the absent or hidden voices and suggest reasons for this
    4. analysing the views of both men and women at different times regarding gender equality in Australia and explaining how these views might reflect changing values and attitudes
    5. explaining the enthusiasm of young people for the music tours and the opposition of older generations, as reflected in the sources
  3. Evaluate different historical interpretations and contested debates (VCHHC125)
    1. developing an historical argument that identifies different possibilities in interpretation and argues a particular point of view, with consistent and specific reference to the evidence available
    2. using a selection of narratives and historical interpretations discuss why there are different interpretations.
    3. analysing a contested debate such as the effects of European settlement, ANZAC legend, the Brisbane Line, reds under the bed and McCarthyism
    4. constructing a historical argument using sources of evidence.
    5. comparing interpretations with others and evaluate differences
Continuity and change Elaborations
  1. Identify and evaluate patterns of continuity and change in the development of the modern world and Australia (VCHHC126)
    1. using sources of evidence (perspectives and interpretations) to identify continuity and changes during Australia at the turn of the twentieth century
    2. using chronologies to observe and identify patterns where changes or continuities have occurred during the Industrial Revolution, way of living and political conditions and Australia after World War II.
    3. identifying the significant changes during the Industrial Revolution and rank them in order of significance. Explain ranking and discuss differences
    4. organising changes of everyday life into conditional factors and/or rank them according to the significance of the change
    5. describing and explaining change such as the quality of change, the types of change, and the impact of change
Cause and effect Elaborations
  1. Analyse the long term causes, short term triggers and the intended and unintended effects of significant events and developments (VCHHC127)
    1. using sources of evidence (perspectives and interpretations) identify causes and effects of the civil rights movement
    2. using chronologies to observe and identify long term causes, short term triggers, turning points, short and long term effects of World War I and World War II
    3. organising causes and effects of European settlement into a concept map
    4. differentiating between intended and unintended effects.
    5. using graphic organisers such as concept maps, causal spider webs, fishbone or ripple effect charts
    6. analysing the multiplicity of causes and effects that may have a varying of influence and rank according to their significance and justify ranking
    7. constructing an explanation using sources of evidence to support the analysis of a significant individual, event and/or cultural achievement
Historical significance Elaborations
  1. Evaluate the historical significance of an event, idea, individual or place (VCHHC128)
    1. developing questions and criteria that support the evaluation of historical significance
    2. identifying a significant event, person or idea and evaluate its significance using the criteria of importance, profundity, quantity, durability, relevance
    3. explaining the significance of the fall of Singapore (1942) in the changes in Australia’s military alliances and use of troops during World War II, using a range of sources, for example, accounts of prisoners of war, commanders such as General Gordon Bennett, politicians such as Prime Minister John Curtin, and Japanese and British sources
    4. constructing an explanation using sources of evidence to support the analysis of a significant individual, event and/or cultural achievement. Use consistent referencing and historical terms and concepts

Historical Knowledge

The making of the modern world Elaborations
Industrial Revolution (1750 – 1914)

  1. Causes that led to the Industrial Revolution, and other conditions and ideas that influenced the industrialisation of Britain and of Australia (VCHHK129)
    1. explaining why the agricultural revolution including access to raw materials, wealthy middle class, cheap labour, transport system, and expanding empire caused the Industrial Revolution
    2. mapping the British Empire c.1800 CE and the raw materials it obtained from colonies, for example, sugar from Jamaica, wool from Australia, and cotton from India
    3. explaining changes in technology, for example steam-driven spinning mills, railways and steam ships, which led to factories and cities
    4. identifying the spread of innovations such as steam power, iron and steel production, transport; and chemicals in Europe, USA and Japan
  2. Causes of population movements and settlement patterns during this period and the significant changes to the way of life of groups of people (VCHHK130)
    1. describing the growth of cities as men, women and children moved to the cities to find employment
    2. using photographs to investigate changes to the cities and landscape in European countries and Australia as the Industrial Revolution continued to develop
    3. mapping the movement of peoples in the transatlantic slave trade or in convict transportation to Australia
    4. explaining the role of the Industrial Revolution in creating a growing need for labour and transportation
    5. evaluating the effects of the movement of peoples on the indigenous and immigrant populations
  3. Different experiences and perspectives of individuals or groups and how ideas, beliefs and values changed during the significant events of the Industrial Revolution (VCHHK131)
    1. describing the effects of steam, gas and electricity on people’s way of life during the Industrial Revolution
    2. investigating the changes in working conditions, for example, longer working hours for low pay and the use of children as a cheap source of labour
    3. investigating the support for Chartism among the poorer classes as a response to deteriorating living and working conditions
    4. explaining how religious groups responded to the ideas in Charles Darwin’s 1859 book On the Origin of Species
    5. investigating sources that record the reactions of new arrivals to other countries in this period, for example, responses to the natural environment and climate
  4. Significant effects of the Industrial Revolution, including global changes in landscapes, movements of people, development and influence of ideas, political and social reforms, and transport and communication (VCHHK132)
    1. describing the effects of factories, mines and cities on the environment, and on population growth and distribution
    2. outlining the growth of trade unions as a response to the effects of the Industrial Revolution
    3. investigating and explaining the emergence and the influence of individuals and/or groups on key ideas in the period, with a particular focus on one of the following: capitalism, socialism, egalitarianism, nationalism, imperialism, Darwinism or Chartism
Australia and Asia

Students investigate the history of either Australia and/or an Asian society in the period 1750 – 1918.

  1. Key social, cultural, economic, and political features of one society at the start of the period (VCHHK133)
    1. Australia Show elaborations
      • examining the different contexts of the colonies of Australia and explain their influences
      • investigating the founding of Melbourne and the features of Port Phillip District/Victoria
      • analysing and evaluating the effects of Gold on Victoria using a graphic organiser
    2. Asia Show elaborations
      • investigating ONE Asian society such as China, Japan, India, Dutch East Indies at the start of the period
      • identifying the territorial extent of Qing China, the role and influence of the Emperor, and the nature of literature, art and architecture at the time
      • describing the impacts of the Industrial revolution on Japan’s isolation and changing economy
  2. Intended and unintended causes and effects of contact and extension of settlement of European power(s), including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (VCHHK134)
    1. Australia Show elaborations
      • evaluating the effects of the movement of peoples on the indigenous and immigrant populations.
      • explaining the effects of contact, for example, the massacres of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; their killing of sheep; the spread of European diseases, frontier violence, and categorising these effects as either intended or unintended
      • investigating the forcible removal of children from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in the late nineteenth century/early twentieth century (leading to the Stolen Generations), such as the motivations for the removal of children, the practices and laws that were in place, and experiences of separation
    2. Asia Show elaborations
      • describing the British Raj and the forms of British influence in India, for example, the building of roads, an extensive railway network, schools and Christian missions
      • describing the causes of European imperialism in China and the effects of the Opium Wars, Taiping Rebellion in China
      • analysing the effects of Commodore Matthew Perry diplomatic mission to Japan to force open Japanese ports to American trade culminating in the signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa 1954
  3. Significant events and influencing ideas in the development of the society, including different perspectives of the events at the time and different historical interpretations and debates (VCHHK135)
    1. Australia Show elaborations
      • discussing the rise of nationalist sentiment in Australia in the mid to late nineteenth century
      • sequencing the key events and ideas in the development of Australian self-government and democracy, including women's voting rights
      • explaining the factors that contributed to federation and the development of democracy in Australia, including defence concerns, the 1890s depression, nationalist ideals, egalitarianism, the Westminster system
    2. Asia Show elaborations
      • explaining the position of the Asian society in relation to other nations in the world around the turn of the twentieth century, including the influence of key ideas such as nationalism
      • investigating the fall of the Shogun and the Meiji Restoration, rise of nationalism, militarism and expansionism, confrontation between Japan and China, and with Western powers, for example, the Russo-Japanese war, and the emergence of Japan as a major world power
      • describing the activities of Christian missionaries in China and the outcomes of the Boxer Rebellion
      • analysing the significant causes and effects of the Indian Great Rebellion 1857
  4. Patterns of continuity and change and their effects on influencing movements of people, ways of life and living conditions, political and legal institutions, and cultural expression around the turn of the twentieth century (VCHHK136)
    1. Australia Show elaborations
      • using sources to examine the living and working conditions in Australia around the turn of the twentieth century (that is 1900)
      • identifying the main features of housing, sanitation, transport, education and industry that influenced living and working conditions in Australia
      • describing the impact of the gold rushes in the hinterland on the development of ‘Marvellous Melbourne’
    2. Asia Show elaborations
      • describing the British Raj and the forms of British influence in India, for example, the building of roads, an extensive railway network, schools and Christian missions
      • describing how increasing foreign influence and imperialism was challenging and changing Imperial China and society through trade, railway networks, missionaries, foreign concessions in cities such as Shanghai
      • describing how increasing trade, modernisation expansions and nationalism in Japan were influencing change to everyday life in Japan, the fall of the Shogun and the Meiji Restoration
  5. Different experiences and perspectives of non-Europeans and their perspectives on changes to society, significant events, ideas, beliefs and values (VCHHK137)
    1. Australia Show elaborations
      • investigating sources that record the reactions of new arrivals to other countries in this period, for example, responses to the natural environment and climate
      • investigating the experiences of a specific group of arrivals to Australia, for example, convicts in Sydney, Hobart, Brisbane or free settlers in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth or Darwin
      • describing the impact of this group on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of the region
      • investigating the differing views of pastoralists and gold miners and how they influenced Victoria
      • examining the experiences of non-Europeans in Australia prior to the 1900s, such as the Japanese, Chinese, South Sea Islanders, Afghans
      • outlining the migration of Chinese to the goldfields in Australia in the nineteenth century and attitudes towards the Chinese as revealed in cartoons, for example, the Mongolian Octopus
    2. Asia Show elaborations
      • analysing Commissioner Lin Zexu’s letter to Queen Victoria before the outbreak of the First Opium War 1839-42
      • analysing the ideas that influenced the perspectives of the Society of Righteous Harmonious Fists, Yi He Tuan (The Boxers)
      • comparing and contrast different perspectives about the effect of European colonisation of India or China or Indochina
      • analysing different perspectives of the Russo-Japanese War 1904-05
  6. Position of the society in relation to other nations in the world by 1918 including the effects of ideas and movements of people (VCHHK138)
    1. Australia Show elaborations
      • investigating the type of society in Australia ‘Working Man’s Paradise’, ‘Social Laboratory’
      • investigating how the major social legislation of the new Federal Government affected living and working conditions in Australia, for example Legislation 1901–1914, including the Harvester Judgment, Immigration Restriction Act, invalid and old-age pensions and the maternity allowance scheme, Defence Acts
    2. Asia Show elaborations
      • analysing the causes of collapse of the Qing and the 1911 Revolution. Discuss reasons why there was increasing demand for Indian independence and self-government and the founding of the Indian Congress Party
      • investigating Japan’s increased expansion into China, the signing of the ‘Twenty-one Demands’ in 1915 and territorial gains as a result of the Treaty of Versailles
The modern world and Australia Elaborations
Australia at war (1914 – 1945): World War I

  1. Causes of World War I, the reasons why men enlisted to go to war, and how women contributed in the war effort (VCHHK139)
    1. creating a concept map to analyse the causes of World War I
    2. investigating the rise of nationalist sentiment as well as the values and attitudes towards war in the period 1750–1918, for example idealistic notions of war or sense of adventure
  2. Significant places where Australians fought and explore their perspectives and experiences in these places (VCHHK140)
    1. identifying the places where Australians fought, including Fromelles, the Somme, Gallipoli, Sinai and Palestine
    2. using sources to investigate the fighting at Gallipoli, the difficulties of trench warfare, and the use of tanks, aeroplanes and chemical weapons (gas)
    3. exploring the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples during the war
  3. Significant events, turning points of the war and the nature of warfare (VCHHK141)
    1. explaining the reasons for the failure of the Gallipoli campaign
    2. investigating one major battle examining locations, techniques, warfare
    3. using sources to examine the perspectives of those who fought on both sides
    4. evaluating the significance of the Armistice of November 1918
  4. Effects of World War I, with a particular emphasis on the changes and continuities brought to the Australian home front and society (VCHHK142)
    1. examining the effects of World War I in Europe such as the Treaty of Versailles, end of empires, economic and environmental destruction, loss of life, Spanish flu, new technologies, emergence of liberalism
    2. graphing the proportion of Australian servicemen who died during World War I, compared to that of other countries involved in the war
    3. explaining the effects of World War I, with a particular emphasis on Australia, such as the use of propaganda to influence the civilian population, the changing role of women, the conscription debate
    4. investigating examples of the war’s impact on Australia’s economy and society, for example, the development of the steel industry in Newcastle and the implementation of the War Precautions Act 1914
    5. identifying the groups who opposed conscription, for example, trade unionists, Irish Catholics, and the grounds for their objections
    6. studying the first and second referenda on conscription, including the division within the Labor Party over this issue
    7. explaining the treatment of people of German descent during the war, for example, their classification as ‘enemy aliens’ and placement in internment camps, as well as their depiction in government propaganda
  5. Significance of World War I to Australia’s international relationships in the twentieth century, with particular reference to the Britain, the USA and Asia (VCHHK143)
    1. evaluating how the war strengthened the bond of Australia with Britain and the British Empire
  6. Different historical interpretations and contested debates about World War I and the significance of Australian commemorations of the war (VCHHK144)
    1. investigating the ideals associated with the Anzac tradition and how and why World War I is commemorated within Australian society
    2. evaluating the fairness of the post war treaties on Axis powers
Australia at war (1914 – 1945): World War II

  1. Causes of World War II and the reasons why Australians enlisted to go to war (VCHHK145)
    1. analysing the long term causes and short term triggers of World War II, for example, the outcomes of the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations, the rise of Hitler and Japan’s imperial ambitions
  2. Significant places where Australians fought and their perspectives and experiences in these places (VCHHK146)
    1. explaining the significance of Kokoda as the battle that halted the Japanese advance on Port Moresby and helped foster the Anzac legend
    2. using historical perspectives comparing the experiences of Australians during World War II, such as Prisoners of War (POWs), the Battle of Britain, Kokoda, the Fall of Singapore
  3. Significant events, turning points of World War II and the nature of warfare, including the Holocaust and use of the atomic bomb (VCHHK147)
    1. investigating the scale and significance of the Holocaust, using primary sources
    2. identifying key events in the European theatre of war, for example, Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939, the Holocaust from 1942–45 and the Russians reaching Berlin in 1945
    3. identifying key events in the Asia–Pacific theatre of war, for example, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941, the fall of Singapore in 1942 and the American victory at the Battle of Midway in 1942
    4. explaining the race to build the atomic bomb by Germany, Japan, the US and why the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
  4. Effects of World War II, with a particular emphasis on the changes and continuities brought to the Australian home front and society (VCHHK148)
    1. categorising and organizes the effects 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 such as conscription, manpower controls, rationing and censorship
    2. investigating the effects of World War II at a local and national level, for example, significant events such as the bombing of Darwin, the Japanese submarine attack on Sydney, the sinking of ships off the Australian coast, the ‘Battle of Brisbane’, the Cowra breakout and the Brisbane Line
  5. Significance of World War II to Australia’s international relationships in the twentieth century, with particular reference to the Britain, the USA, Asia and United Nations (VCHHK149)
    1. evaluating 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. Changing relationship with Britain and the emergence of ANZUS
    2. evaluating the impact of World War II on the emergence of the United States as a major world power and on Australia’s alliance with the US, for example, the threat of Japan
  6. Different historical interpretations and contested debates about World War II and the significance of Australian commemoration of war (VCHHK150)
    1. analysing the contest debate over the Battle for Australia 1942 and its commemoration since 2008 Battle for Australia Day
Rights and freedoms (1945 – the present)

  1. Significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including Australia’s involvement in the development of the declaration (VCHHK151)
    1. describing the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the contribution of Australia’s H.V. Evatt
  2. Causes of the struggle of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for rights and freedoms before 1965 (VCHHK152)
    1. exploring accounts of the past experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were forcibly removed from their families
  3. Effects of the US civil rights movement and its influence on Australia (VCHHK153)
    1. outlining the Freedom Rides in the US, how they inspired civil rights campaigners in Australia, and how they became a turning point in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ struggle for rights and freedoms
  4. Significance of the following events in changing society: 1962 right to vote federally, 1967 Referendum, Reconciliation, Mabo decision, Bringing Them Home Report (the Stolen Generations), the Apology and the different perspectives of these events (VCHHK154)
    1. describing the aims, tactics and outcomes of a particular event in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ struggle for rights and freedoms
  5. Effects of 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 (VCHHK155)
    1. investigating the role of Charles Perkins in the Freedom Ride of 1965 and the efficacy of television in bringing the struggle for rights and freedoms to national attention
    2. investigating the role of Vincent Lingiari in leading the 1966 Wave Hill walk-off and the significance of this event's contribution to causing the Aboriginal land rights movement
  6. Continuity and change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in securing and achieving civil rights and freedoms in Australia (VCHHK156)
    1. identifying areas, for example, education, health, work, that are the focus for continued civil rights action for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
    2. investigating the legacy of children’s experiences in ‘care’ including their placement in orphanages, children’s homes, foster care and other forms of out-of-home care, and the significance of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990)
The globalising world

Students investigate one major global influence that has shaped Australian society, including the development of the global influence during the twentieth century.

Choose at least one of the following:

  • Popular culture
  • The Environment movement
  • Migration experiences
  • Political Crisis

  1. Effects of significant post-World War II world events and developments on one major global influence that shaped change in Australian society (VCHHK157)
    1. Popular culture Show elaborations
      • examining how post World War II effected popular culture in Australia, including music, film and sport
      • identifying sports that were popular in Australia such as football, horse racing, cricket
    2. Environment movement Show elaborations
      • discussing the effects of nuclear warfare and M.A.D in raising concerns about the environment
      • explaining reason why the United Kingdom conducted 12 major nuclear weapons tests in Australia between 1952 and 1957 at the Montebello Islands, Emu Field and Maralinga and why opposition to the testing grew in the 1950’s
    3. Migration experiences Show elaborations
      • investigating the nature of the waves of migration such as the countries that were the source of migrants, the numbers of migrants from those countries, and trends in migration since World War II, such as increasing migration from the Asian region to Australia
    4. Political Crisis Show elaborations
      • examining how the post war ideologies and fears of the cold war influenced change in Australian society, such as the Korean War and Vietnam War
      • explaining the influence of McCarthyism and the significance of the Petrov Affair in shaping Australian society
      • investigating how changing political ideologies influenced change, such as Labor’s win in 1972 and the causes of the Whitlam Dismissal in 1975
  2. Causes and developments of the major global influences on Australia (VCHHK158)
    1. Popular culture Show elaborations
      • analysing the causes and conditions for cultural development and the effects on Australian society
      • investigating America’s cultural influence, as seen in the arrival of television for the Melbourne Olympics (1956) and Bill Haley’s Australian tour (1957)
      • comparing and contrasting views on the values and beliefs of rock ’n’ roll, film and television across time, age and gender, for example, issues of conservatism and rebellion, the challenge to established ideas and national identity
    2. Environment movement Show elaborations
      • analysing the causes and conditions that led to the environment movement and its effects on changing public opinion and improving the environment
      • outlining the emergence of concerns about the preservation of natural areas for future generations, for example, as reflected in the establishment of National Parks in the United States (Yellowstone National Park in 1872), Australia (Royal National Park in 1879), Canada (Rocky Mountains National Park in 1885) and New Zealand (Tongariro National Park in 1887)
      • investigating the impact of early texts that warned about environmental change, for example, Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, 1962, Don’t It Make You Want To Go Home by Joe South, 1970, Mother Earth News magazine in 1970, Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) lyrics by Marvin Gaye, 1971
    3. Migration experiences Show elaborations
      • analysing the causes and conditions that led to increased migration to Australia and changing public opinion and government policy
      • describing the main features of a government policy that affected migration to Australia, such as the Immigration Restriction Act 1901 and use of the dictation test to restrict the immigration of non-Europeans
      • explaining the reasons for changes in government policy, for example the influence of White Australia ideology at the time of the introduction of the Immigration Restriction Act 1901, the Displaced Persons Scheme in the aftermath of World War II
    4. Political Crisis Show elaborations
      • analysing the causes of the Korean or Vietnam War and its effects on Australia
      • analysing the causes and effects of the Petrov Affair
      • evaluating the developments during the Whitlam government and the causes of the government’s dismissal
  3. Changing social, cultural, historical, economic, environmental, political and technological conditions on a major global influence in Australia (VCHHK159)
    1. Popular culture Show elaborations
      • identifying American and Asian influences on Australian popular culture since World War II, for example, through mainstream and Hollywood and Bollywood films
      • investigating the changing contribution of the Australian rock ’n’ roll, film and television industries to Australian culture and identity through the development and export of music, film and television, for example, the Easybeats from Sydney, the Go-Betweens from Brisbane and ‘Crocodile Dundee’ (1986)
      • describing significant examples of continuity and change in beliefs and values, such as democratic ideals, religious beliefs, egalitarianism
    2. Environment movement Show elaborations
      • recognising the historic impact of the pictures of Earth taken during the Apollo 8 mission and how they influenced people’s view of the world
      • explaining the significance of ideas about the environment, for example, Gaia, the limits of growth, sustainability and rights of nature
      • investigating a range of environmental effects, for example, the flooding of Lake Pedder in Tasmania, deforestation in Indonesia, the decline of the Aral Sea, the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the whaling industry
      • explaining the struggle over French nuclear weapon testing in the Pacific from 1966–1996, for example, the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior in 1985
      • evaluating the effectiveness of international protocols and treaties such as Kyoto (1997), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (since 1992) and the Washington Declaration (2007)
    3. Migration experiences Show elaborations
      • describing the impact of the Vietnam war on Vietnam and how the communist victory in Vietnam (1975) resulted in the arrival of refugees into Australia
      • investigating policies of multiculturalism since the 1970s and the concepts of cultural heritage and assimilation
      • analysing post-World War II population growth and the development of Australia’s culturally diverse society using different types of graphs
    4. Political Crisis Show elaborations
      • identifying and evaluating the changes to Australia as a result of the political crisis
      • using a chart or graphic organiser to categorise the changes to Australia
  4. The perspectives of people and different historical interpretations and debates from the period (VCHHK160)
    1. Popular culture Show elaborations
      • comparing and contrasting generational perspectives on rock ’n’ roll
      • using historical sources track changing perspectives over time
      • interviewing a selection of relatives about their experiences in their teens in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Track the changing perspectives and suggest reasons for these changes
    2. Environment movement Show elaborations
      • explaining the responses of governments and organisations to environmental threats, for example, New Zealand’s anti-nuclear policy, the United States’ Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act 1980 (CERCLA), Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report (2009)
      • using perspectives explain why environmental movements and The Green party gained increasing public voice
    3. Migration experiences Show elaborations
      • using sources analyse the changing attitudes of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s to the arrival of migrants
      • analysing the arguments for and against the White Australia Policy between 1964-1973
    4. Political Crisis Show elaborations
      • comparing and contrast a range of different perspectives and identify differing views of what changed and the extent of change
      • analysing a selection of different historical interpretations and identify differences and similarities in arguments and debates about the significance of the political crisis

Levels 9 and 10 Achievement Standard

By the end of Level 10, students refer to significant events, the actions of individuals and groups, and beliefs and values to identify and evaluate the patterns of change and continuity over time. They analyse the causes and effects of events and developments and explain their significance. They explain the context for people’s actions in the past. Students evaluate the significance of events and analyse the developments from a range of perspectives. They evaluate the different interpretations of the past and recognise the evidence used to support these interpretations.

Students sequence events and developments within a chronological framework, and identify relationships between events across different places and periods of time. They locate and select historical sources and identify their origin, purpose and content features. Students explain the context of these sources to identify motivations, values and attitudes. They compare and contrast historical sources and evaluate their accuracy, usefulness and reliability. Students analyse the different perspectives of people in the past and evaluate how these perspectives are influenced by the significant events, ideas, location, beliefs and values. They evaluate different historical interpretations and contested debates. Students construct and communicate an argument about the past using a range of reliable sources of evidence. In developing these texts and organising and presenting their arguments, they use historical terms and concepts, evidence identified in sources, and they use consistent referencing of these sources.

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