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Two Sides History Worksheet

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Two Sides History Worksheet

Read the source cards, then investigate how people can understand the same historical event differently. Use evidence from the cards and remember that each source offers a perspective, not the whole story.

Aotearoa New Zealand Wars: different perspectives

During the 1860s, fighting took place in Taranaki and Waikato. The conflicts had many causes and experiences, and Māori and Crown groups were not all of one mind. The short source cards below summarise some commonly held views. They are modern summaries, not quotations from people who lived at the time.

MĀORI VIEWPOINT For many Māori communities, whenua was ancestral land and the basis of identity, mana, and future wellbeing. Some Māori fought to defend their land and tino rangatiratanga (authority and self-determination). They believed Crown actions and land confiscations broke promises associated with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

CROWN VIEWPOINT Crown leaders said they were establishing government authority and keeping order. They described some Māori resistance as rebellion. Settlers also wanted security and access to land. These arguments were used to justify military action, although people in the Crown and settler communities did not all think alike.

1.Choose the best meaning of “perspective” in the source cards.

A viewpoint shaped by a person's experiences and beliefs
A list of dates that everyone agrees on
A map showing where an event happened
A story that must be completely invented

2.Both source cards mention something people wanted to protect or secure. Name one concern that appears in both viewpoints.

3.According to the Māori viewpoint card, name two things some Māori were defending.

4.What reasons did Crown leaders give for military action? Use details from the Crown viewpoint card.

5.True or false: The statement “Crown leaders said they were keeping order” reports a viewpoint described in the source card, rather than proving that everyone agreed with it.

TrueFalse

6.Match each idea to the source card where it appears. An idea may connect to more than one viewpoint.

Tino rangatiratanga and whenua
Establishing government authority
Promises associated with Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Keeping order

Crown viewpoint
Māori viewpoint
Māori viewpoint
Crown viewpoint

7.Explain how the meaning of “security” might have differed for Māori communities and settlers during the conflicts.

8.The cards say they are modern summaries, not quotations. Give one reason historians should check other evidence before making a strong claim about what people thought.

9.Write one respectful, open-ended question you would ask to learn more about the experience of a person affected by the wars. Avoid assuming that all Māori or all settlers had the same experience.

10.Write a short museum label (3–4 sentences) that includes one idea from each viewpoint and explains why historians compare perspectives. Use “some” or “many” rather than claiming an entire group thought alike.