See below for Curriculum Links

These activities are aimed at considering the changing meaning of ‘Commonwealth’, the contribution of the people of Commonwealth countries to the Allied war effort and post-war immigration to Britain.

Outcomes

• Understand and appreciate the contribution of people of Commonwealth countries to Allied war effort
• To find out how the Second World War has impacted on immigration and diversity of the UK
• Understand past and current relations between Britain and the Commonwealth

Activity Description

Use the statistics shown in the World War: Global Participation set to consider the contribution of soldiers and civilians from the Indian subcontinent, Africa and the Caribbean to the Allied cause.

Mark on a map all of the countries represented by the people on the World War: Global Participation set.

Read Personal Story 10: Johnny Smythe in addition to the World War: Global Participation set. Track the travels of individuals, where they came from and which areas of the world they were active in during the Second World War. Ask questions such as What is the name given for the group of countries represented? What do the group think might have been the reasons for volunteering?  Where in the world were Commonwealth troops active?

Move on to ask the group to research and discuss: What is the Commonwealth?  What does the group think Commonwealth means?  Are there any responsibilities or benefits associated with it?  What did volunteers from the Commonwealth think about the Commonwealth during the war?

Note down ideas from the group discussion and put them up around the map using sticky notes. Make sure all countries that are part of the Commonwealth are marked clearly.

Talk to someone who moved to the UK soon after the war and/or a veteran about their understanding of Commonwealth and compare their views with the views of the group. Use interviews if possible or look for stories on the websites listed in the ‘Other Resources’ section at the end of this activity. What did the term Commonwealth and being British mean to people before, during and after the war? Investigate the experiences of people who immigrated to the UK 50 years ago. What were immigrants’ expectations? What were their experiences of life in Britain in the 1950s and since? How have immigrants been treated by the government and people of Britain?

Record the different ideas about Empire and Commonwealth from those interviewed and add to the group’s ideas placed around the map. Has anyone changed the way they think about the Commonwealth as a result of this activity?

Activity Extension

The Changing World

Maps are a useful source of evidence for showing how the world has changed. Use a contemporary map and a historical map of the world to compare pre-War years with today. The group could research: What do the colours used for different countries mean? What are the different reasons for any of the changes between the maps?  Which countries have witnessed the greatest changes and what ha?  What changes have different countries been through as they have moved from being part of the British Empire to part of the Commonwealth?

Choose a particular country and research how it has changed or track immigration from that country to the UK.

Other Resources:

Websites

‘Together’, the Imperial War Museum online exhibition on Commonwealth forces, can be viewed at www.iwm.org.uk/

The British Empire and Commonwealth Museum in Bristol has a website at www.empiremuseum.co.uk/ The MOD has on its online exhibition a tribute to the men and women of Commonwealth countries who contributed to Britain’s war effort during both the First and Second World Wars at www.mod.uk/wewerethere/; the National Archives has information on post-war immigration at  www.nationalarchives.gov.uk. The Moving Here website is an aid to tracing family roots for people with immigrant roots, at
www.movinghere.org.uk/. Channel 4 has programmes and related activities on the subject of migration at web.channel4.com/learning/main/netnotes/programid1009.htm.

Curriculum Links

ENGLAND

KS2

History

2 Knowledge, skills & understanding

a) About characteristic features of the periods and societies studied
b) About the social, cultural religious and ethnic diversity of the societies studied
c) To identify and describe reasons for, and results of, historical events, situations and changes in the periods studied
d) To describe and make links between the main events, situations and changes within and across the different periods and societies studied

4 Historical enquiry

a) How to find out about the events, people and changes studied from an appropriate range of sources of information, including ICT-based resources

7 Breadth of study

11) Britain since 1930

Citizenship

2 Preparing to play an active role as a citizen

i) To appreciate the range of national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the UK

4 Developing good relationships and respecting the differences between people

b) To think about the lives of people living in other places and times and people with different values and customs

Geography

2 Developing geographical skills

c) To use atlases and globes, and maps at a range of scales

3 Knowledge & understanding of places

e) To identify how and why places change

KS3

History

2 Knowledge, skills & understanding

c) To analyse and explain the reasons for, and results of, the historical events, situations and changes in the periods studied
e) To consider the significance of the main events, people and changes studied

4 Historical enquiry

a) Identify, select and use a range of appropriate sources of information

6 Breadth of study

13) A world study after 1900

Citizenship

1 Knowledge & understanding about becoming informed citizens

i) The world as a global community and the political, economic, environmental and social implications of this and the role of…the Commonwealth

Geography

2 Developing geographical skills:

c) To use atlases and globes, maps and plans at a range of scales, incl. Ordnance Survey

3 Knowledge & understanding of places

b) To explain the national, international and global contexts of places studied

KS4

Citizenship

Knowledge & understanding

b) The origins and implications of the diverse national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the United Kingdom and the need for mutual respect and understanding
i) The UK’s relations in Europe, including the European Union, and relations with the Commonwealth and the United Nations

NORTHERN IRELAND

KS2

History

Historical skills & concepts

b) A sense of the past and a range and depth of knowledge and understanding, by identifying

• Some of the characteristic features of past societies and some of the main events
• Some things which have changed and some things which have remained the same
• Some of the feelings people may have had at a time in the past

c) Awareness of evidence, historical enquiry and interpretations by

• Extracting factual information from a range of appropriate sources to make obvious statements about the past

Geography

Geographical skills

a) Use photographs, maps and plans of different scales for different purposes

KS3

History

Historical skills & concepts

a) Chronological awareness by

• Placing events, people and changes in the periods studied within a chronological framework, noting key dates

b) Range and depth of historical knowledge and understanding by

• Identifying and analysing the characteristic features of periods and societies studied
• Describing and explaining reasons for and results of some of the historical events and changes in the periods studied
• Assessing the significance of the main events, people and changes studied

d) Historical enquiry by

• Identifying, collecting and recording information from a range of sources appropriate to their age and ability to investigate, with increasing independence, aspects of the period

Study Unit 4: The Twentieth-Century World

b) A significant social impact

KS4

Social and Environmental studies

• Influences from one or more perspectives - such as, social, political, economic, cultural, technological - which shape society and the inter-relationships of these influences with the attitudes and values of that society

Geography

Geographical Themes

Population

c) Reasons for population change, (birth rate, death rate, migration)

SCOTLAND

5-14 Guidelines

Environmental Studies strands- People in the Past

Knowledge & understanding

Change and continuity, cause and effect

• Developing an understanding of change and continuity over time and of cause and effect in historical contexts (Levels C, D, E & F)
  Developing informed attitudes

Respect and care for self and others

• Being aware of their rights and responsibilities in caring for others and respecting cultural and social diversity

Focus of study: The Twentieth Century

Personal & Social Development

Inter-personal relationships

• Communicate and interact with growing confidence within a wider circle of people
• Reflect upon, evaluate and express their opinion about values held by the school and community

Environmental Studies - People and Place

Knowledge and understanding

The human environment

• Developing an understanding of the patterns of human activity on the Earth’s surface (Levels D & E)

WALES

KS2

History

Area:  Life in modern Wales & Britain
A historical topic in a local context

2 Historical knowledge & understanding

1) About characteristic of the periods studied and the diversity of experience within each one
2) To identify and describe the main events, situations and changes within and across periods
3) To identify the causes and consequences of some events and changes

4 Historical enquiry

1) Use a range of sources including representations, interpretations, and where appropriate, ICT to investigate historical topic

Personal & Social Education

Attitudes & values

• Value and celebrate cultural difference and diversity

Knowledge & understanding 

• Know about aspects of their cultural heritage in Wales including the multi-cultural dimension

Geography

Range: The local area

2 Places

6) Develop a better and fuller understanding of their own local area and community within the wider context of Wales e.g.the importance of social, cultural and historical factors

KS3

History

Area: The Twentieth-Century World

2 Historical knowledge & understanding

1) Analyse the characteristic features of periods, situations and societies studied and the diversity of experience within each one
2) Describe, analyse and explain the causes and consequences of the historical events, situations and changes studied
3) Make comparisons and connections between the main events and developments studied, both within and across periods

4 Historical enquiry

1) Investigate historical topics independently using a range of historical sources in their historical context

Personal & Social Education

Attitudes & values

• Value cultural diversity and equal opportunity and respect the dignity of all

Knowledge & understanding

• Understand the nature of local, national and international communities with reference to cultural diversity, justice, law and order and interdependence

Geography

Range: Wales

3 Themes

5) Population