Lesson Purpose
The modern era has been marked by rapid growth in population and massive political changes around the world. Demography is a useful analytical tool for studying these changes, and helps to give us a global perspectives on human history. Since the end of World War II, over 50 new nations have developed around the globe. Understanding why and how these nations have emerged is vital to understanding today's world politically and economically. It also shows the importance of human rights around the world and how people have managed to gain them. In this lesson, you will use a variety of primary source materials and data to help understand the accelerating change we have witnessed in the past 100 years.
The outcomes of this lesson are: 1.) To understand and be able to use demography as an analytical tool for understanding history; 2.) To explain how nationalism, revolutions, and sovereignty have led to political changes and human rights movements around the world.
The outcomes of this lesson are: 1.) To understand and be able to use demography as an analytical tool for understanding history; 2.) To explain how nationalism, revolutions, and sovereignty have led to political changes and human rights movements around the world.
Activity 1 - Comparing Most Populous Cities by Century: 1500 to Present
Activity Objectives
In this activity, you will look at the 10 most populous cities in the world over time to consider worldwide historical patterns. Demography is a useful analytical tool in history that is often overlooked. Looking at population patterns can help us take a global perspective on human history rather than just looking at particular regions and the history of those areas. Activity Tasks
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Activity 2 - "And then Gandhi came: Nationalism, Revolution, and Sovereignty"
Activity Objectives
In this article, Ravi explains that since the end of World War II, 50 new nations have developed around the globe. Understanding why and how these nations have emerged is vital to understanding today’s world politically and economically. It also shows the importance of human rights around the world and how people have managed to gain them. Activity Tasks
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Activity 3 - Declaration of Rights Document Collection
Activity Objectives
You will read a number of declaration of rights documents that different nations produced as part of their move to become independent and free. These documents all include references to a source of government or power, individual rights, accountability of leaders or government, and information about the structure of governments. Understanding the similarities and differences between the types of rights people sought around the world helps us understand the rights that many nations have today. Activity Tasks
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Activity 4 - Comparing Rights Documents
Activity Objectives
In this activity, you will compare rights documents from around the world. Comparing the movements that produced these documents can show you what makes people similar around the world, especially with regard to their human rights. This can also show us where people differ, and how different cultures may place value on certain things that other nations do not. This helps us understand the cultural and political climates of other countries today. Activity Tasks
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Activity 5 - Democratic and Independent States Timeline
Activity Objectives
In this activity, you will use the declaration of rights documents and some research to create a timeline that shows when different nations became independent. Mapping these independence movements on a timeline can help you see historical trends related to human rights, which provides a lot of perspective on how countries have developed socially over time, and why some countries seem more progressive than others. Activity Tasks
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