Between the Wars

Overview

This 50-minute lesson will focus on key historical events, changes, and challenges in Australia during the interwar period (1918–1939). The lesson, aligned with the Australian Curriculum for Year 10 History, specifically addresses the topic: "The interwar years and the events that shaped Australia’s national identity and global standing" (ACOKFH021, ACHMH109). Students will explore Australia’s political, economic, and social developments while critically analysing its response to global events, such as the Great Depression and the rise of totalitarian regimes.

The lesson integrates a dynamic PowerPoint presentation, discussion-based inquiry, and a collaborative activity to engage the students.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• Identify key events and trends during the interwar period and understand their impact on Australia.
• Explain how global events influenced Australia’s domestic policies and society.
• Analyse primary and secondary sources to draw conclusions on Australian attitudes during this time.
• Develop critical thinking and teamwork skills through collaborative discussions.

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Materials Required

• Smartboard/projector and PowerPoint file.
• Printed copies of a political cartoon from the 1930s and a primary source excerpt (e.g., speech or headline).
• Whiteboard and markers.
• Student workbooks or laptops for class notes.
• Pre-prepared sets of flashcards with questions for group activity.

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

Engage & Contextualise:

• Begin by writing the question: "What challenges did Australia face between WWI and WWII?" on the whiteboard.
• Use Think-Pair-Share: Ask students to briefly discuss this with a partner and contribute 2-3 examples aloud to the class.
• Transition by explaining that today’s lesson will focus on the period between WWI and WWII, which shaped Australia’s identity and future.

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2. PowerPoint Presentation (15 minutes)

Teach & Build Knowledge:
The PowerPoint will be divided into three key sections to explain Australia’s critical developments during this time:

Slide 1-3: The End of WWI and its Social/Psychological Impacts

• Briefly cover the impact of WWI on returned soldiers and families (e.g., PTSD, unemployment, loss of lives).
• Highlight the establishment of the Soldier Settler schemes and their mixed outcomes.
• Show two photographs: one of soldiers returning home and another of failed settlement areas.

Slide 4-7: The Great Depression in Australia

• Explain the global economic downturn, focusing on its severe consequences for Australians—unemployment soaring to 30%, protests, and soup kitchens.
• Use a graph to illustrate unemployment rates during the 1930s. Discuss the government’s response, including wage cuts and public works (e.g., Sydney Harbour Bridge project).
• Pose a brief question to the class: "How would living during the Great Depression change your hopes for the future?"

Slide 8-10: Australia and the Rising Threats of WWII

• Discuss Australia’s response to growing international tensions: the rise of Nazi Germany, Japan’s expansion, and the formation of the League of Nations.
• Include a political cartoon from the time, highlighting public concern about the failure of the League.
• Connect this to Australia’s pre-WWII defensive policies and links to Britain.

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3. Group Activity: Analysing Sources (15 minutes)

• Split the class into six groups of five students each. Provide each group with one printed historical source (e.g., quotes from speeches, newspapers, or political cartoons).
• Instruct them to identify the context, message, and potential bias of their source using guiding questions written on the board:
  • What historical event is this source addressing?
  • What emotions or opinions does it reflect?
  • Do you think this source is reliable? Why or why not?
• After analysis, each group shares a brief 1-minute summary with the class.

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4. Reflection and Class Discussion (10 minutes)

• Reconvene the class. Pose the question:
  "Did the interwar period prepare Australia for the challenges of WWII? Why or why not?"
• Encourage students to build on each other’s responses to form a class discussion. Write key ideas on the whiteboard as they are shared.
• If time permits, ask students how they think the interwar events influenced modern Australia.

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5. Conclusion (5 minutes)

Summarise Key Learnings:

• Recap three main points from the lesson:
  • The social and economic impacts of WWI and the Great Depression.
  • Australia’s interconnectedness with global events, particularly the rise of new powers.
  • How public sentiment often influenced political decisions.
• Assign students a homework reflection task:
  • Write a 200-word response to: “What was Australia’s most significant challenge during the interwar period, and how did the country respond?”

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Assessment

• Informal observation during group activity and class discussions.
• Analyse students’ responses during Think-Pair-Share and on their homework task (to gauge their comprehension and critical thinking).

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Adaptations for Diverse Learners

• Provide a glossary of key terms (e.g., totalitarian, League of Nations) for students needing additional support.
• Offer digital copies of the PowerPoint and printed materials for students with specific learning needs.
• For advanced learners, encourage independent research on the connections between the Great Depression and WWII.

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Why This Lesson Stands Out:
This lesson actively engages students by combining visual (PowerPoint), analytical (source evaluation), collaborative (group work), and critical discussion methods. It goes beyond rote learning by helping students make connections between historical events and their implications for Australia's identity and role in the world.