Introduction

Viewing Guide

Introduction

Site studies are an important part of historical inquiry. Historians look at places to understand how that place represents periods of time, or change over time. Often after significant events, governments will choose to preserve places or structures to commemorate that event.

The area of Ypres in Belgium is a rich site for historical study. It played an important role in the Western Front of World War I and is full of locations and remnants that provide historians with information about the war.

During

What is a salient?
What analogy does the historian use to help you explain what a salient is?
Identify three reasons that the Ypres Salient is remembered as an important part of World War I.

After

Using one or more of the supplied timelines add some of the battles fought around Ypres to a map. For each event add the name of the battle, the date and an image from around the time of the battle.

How to make your own Google My Map

Timeline links

Sources of images from World War 1

Teaching notes

Duration of this unit

This unit of work will take an estimated 5-6 weeks of class time to complete, depending on how much scaffolding you provide to students.

Locating Ypres

Before showing the video, give students a copy of this map of the Western Front shown at the beginning of the video. Ask them to locate Ypres on the map. After watching the video use Google Earth (requires the Google Chrome browser), Google maps or another map to introduce students to the area around Ypres. Use the 3D setting in Google Earth or the topographic map in Google Maps to explore the terrain around Ypres (focus them into seeing how flat the whole area is.)

Link to Ypres on Google Earth
Link to Ypres on Google Maps

Sequencing Events around Ypres

Ask students to create their own map of Ypres using Google My Maps and mark some of the battles that took place around Ypres.

Extension activities

Ask students to walk around the modern town of Ypres using Google Maps Street View. Ask them to locate and take screenshots of evidence of the impact of the war and evidence of Australian impact on Ypres. They should be able to find examples such as street and place names as well as images of kangaroos on many buildings.

Syllabus outcomes

History outcomes

A student:

explains and assesses the historical forces and factors that shaped the modern world and Australia (HT5-1)
sequences and explains the significant patterns of continuity and change in the development of the modern world and Australia (HT5-2)
selects and uses appropriate oral, written, visual and digital forms to communicate effectively about the past for different audiences ( HT5-10)

History content

An overview of the causes of the wars, why men enlisted and where Australians fought.

Students:

locate and sequence the places where Australians fought in both wars

Significant events and the experiences of Australians at war

using sources, students investigate the following features of each war:
- a specific campaign, eg the Western Front 1916 and the New Guinea campaign 1942

Historical concepts

Significance: the importance of an event, development, group or individual and their impact on their times and/or later periods, eg the importance of the changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution; the importance of World War II on Australia's relations with other countries.

Historical skills

Comprehension: chronology, terms and concepts
- read and understand historical texts
- use historical terms and concepts in appropriate contexts
- sequence historical events to demonstrate the relationship between different periods, people and places