The Twentieth Century: A Changing World

Level: B1 · Video section: 00:00–34:00

1. Read before watching

The twentieth century began in 1901. Technology was changing everyday life, and the British Empire was a major world power. The Wright brothers flew a powered aircraft in 1903, and Einstein introduced his theory of special relativity in 1905.

However, progress did not mean peace. Rivalries between countries and growing nationalism increased tensions. The century would bring major wars, political revolutions and economic crises. Women also fought for greater rights, including the right to vote.

2. Useful vocabulary

English

Español

empire

imperio

arms race

carrera armamentística

trenches

trincheras

revolution

revolución

right to vote

derecho al voto

stock market crash

desplome de la bolsa

unemployment

desempleo

3. Watch and answer in English

The beginning of the century — from 00:00

1. On what date did the twentieth century begin?

2. Which empire was the leading world power?

3. What did the Wright brothers achieve in 1903?

4. Which empire wanted to challenge British leadership?

The First World War — from approximately 04:35

5. When did the First World War begin and end?

6. Name two weapons used during the war.

7. In which year did the United States enter the war?

The Russian Revolution — from approximately 14:05

8. Who led the Bolsheviks?

9. Name two problems Russia faced before the revolution.

Social and economic changes — from approximately 21:33

10. Where did many women work during the war?

11. What economic crisis followed the 1929 crash?

12. Which US president introduced the New Deal?

4. Discuss in pairs

These questions ask for your opinion.

• Which invention mentioned in the introduction changed people’s lives the most? Why?

• How can working outside the home change a person’s independence?

• Can technological progress have negative consequences? Give an example.

Use: “I think… because…” / “One example is…” / “I agree, but…”

5. Exit ticket

Write three sentences: one fact you learned, one thing that surprised you, and one question you still have.

Teacher’s Answer Key

1. 1 January 1901.

2. The British Empire.

3. They flew a powered aircraft.

4. The German Empire.

5. 1914–1918.

6. Any two: machine guns, tanks, submarines, aircraft, poison gas or artillery.

7. 1917

8. Vladimir Lenin.

9. Any two: food shortages, economic crisis, military defeats or social inequality.

10. In factories.

11. The Great Depression.

12. Franklin D. Roosevelt.

HISTORY IN ENGLISH — TEACHER’S ANSWER KEY

Marking: These are model answers. Accept equivalent wording and do not penalise minor language errors if the meaning is clear.

Video 1 — WW1: OverSimplified, Part 1

1. Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated.

2. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia.

3. Russia supported Serbia; Germany supported Austria-Hungary.

4. Britain entered after Germany invaded neutral Belgium.

5. Germany planned to defeat France first.

6. Soldiers were exposed to machine-gun fire, with mud, shell craters and barbed wire making movement difficult.

Video 2 — How did Hitler rise to power? — TED-Ed

1. Germany lost territory, had to reduce its army and pay reparations. This created anger and resentment.

2. The Great Depression caused unemployment and economic insecurity, increasing support for extremist parties.

3. He falsely blamed Jewish people and communists.

4. His speeches manipulated people’s fears and anger, helping him attract followers.

5. President Paul von Hindenburg appointed him Chancellor.

6. They believed they could use his popularity and control him.

Video 3 — Archdukes, Cynicism, and World War I — Crash Course

1. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary.

2. Any three: machine guns, tanks, aircraft and poison gas.

3. Trench warfare.

4. No. Battles could cause enormous casualties while gaining little or no territory.

5. The destruction weakened faith in progress and encouraged disillusionment and cynicism.

6. No. The war and its aftermath helped create conditions for another world war about two decades later.

Suggested scoring

Award 2 points per answer:

• 2: Correct and sufficiently complete.

• 1: Partly correct or incomplete.

• 0: Incorrect or unanswered.

Total: 36 points.

HISTORY THROUGH VIDEO 

World War I and the Rise of Hitler

Learning goals

By the end of these lessons, you will be able to:

• Explain how a local conflict became a European war.

• Describe the impact of modern weapons and trench warfare.

• Explain some factors behind Hitler’s rise to power.

• Use historical vocabulary to describe causes and consequences.

LESSON 1 — HOW DID THE FIRST WORLD WAR BEGIN?

Video: WW1 — OverSimplified, Part 1

Key question: How did the assassination of one person lead to a much larger conflict?

1. Vocabulary

Word or phrase

Meaning in Spanish

Example

empire

imperio

Austria-Hungary was an empire.

heir to the throne

heredero al trono

Franz Ferdinand was heir to the throne.

assassination

asesinato de una figura pública

The assassination caused a diplomatic crisis.

alliance

alianza

An alliance connects countries through an agreement.

ally / allies

aliado / aliados

Germany and Austria-Hungary were allies.

ultimatum

ultimátum

The government issued an ultimatum.

declare war

declarar la guerra

A country can declare war on another country.

invade

invadir

German troops invaded Belgium.

neutral

neutral

Belgium was a neutral country.

troops

tropas

Troops moved towards the border.

trench

trinchera

Soldiers fought from trenches.

no-man’s land

tierra de nadie

Soldiers crossed no-man’s land between opposing trenches.

Activity A — Complete the sentences.

Use: alliance · assassination · neutral · trenches · ultimatum

1. A country that does not take sides in a war is __________.

2. An __________ is an agreement between countries to cooperate.

3. The murder of a political leader is an __________.

4. An __________ is a final demand, usually with consequences if it is rejected.

5. Soldiers dug __________ to protect themselves from enemy fire.

2. Before watching

Discuss with a partner:

• How could alliances help prevent a war?

• How could the same alliances make a war larger?

Use these expressions:

“Alliances could prevent war because…”
“However, they could also…”

3. First viewing — Understand the main idea

Watch without trying to write every detail.

Activity B — Choose the best summary.

A. The war began because all European countries wanted to invade Britain.
B. Existing tensions, an assassination and alliances helped turn a crisis into a wider war.
C. The war began as a conflict between France and Russia.

4. Second viewing — Find the details

Activity C — Answer in short sentences.

1. Who was Franz Ferdinand?

2. In which city was he assassinated?

3. Which country did Austria-Hungary blame?

4. Which country supported Austria-Hungary?

5. Which country supported Serbia?

6. Why did Britain enter the war?

7. Why did Germany want to defeat France quickly?

8. What made crossing no-man’s land dangerous?

Activity D — Put the events in order.

Write numbers 1–5.

___ Britain enters the war.
___ Franz Ferdinand is assassinated.
___ Germany invades Belgium.
___ Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.
___ Russia mobilises in support of Serbia.

5. After watching — Causes and triggers

A long-term cause develops over time. A trigger is an event that sets a crisis in motion.

Activity E — Classify these factors.

• Rivalry between European powers.

• The assassination in Sarajevo.

• Military competition.

• The alliance system.

Which is the immediate trigger? Which are long-term causes?

6. Exit ticket

Write 40–60 words explaining how the conflict spread.

Use at least three:

because · ally · declare war · invade · as a result

LESSON 2 — HOW DID HITLER RISE TO POWER?

Video: How did Hitler rise to power? — TED-Ed

Key question: How can a democracy be weakened from within?

1. Vocabulary

Word or phrase

Meaning in Spanish

Example

democracy

democracia

In a democracy, political power is limited by laws and institutions.

treaty

tratado

A peace treaty sets conditions after a war.

reparations

reparaciones de guerra

Germany had to pay reparations.

resentment

resentimiento

The peace terms created resentment.

unemployment

desempleo

Unemployment increased during the economic crisis.

propaganda

propaganda

Propaganda tries to influence people’s beliefs.

scapegoat

chivo expiatorio

A scapegoat is unfairly blamed for problems.

antisemitism

antisemitismo

Antisemitism is prejudice or hostility towards Jewish people.

appoint

nombrar para un cargo

The president appointed a chancellor.

chancellor

canciller

Hitler became Chancellor of Germany.

civil liberties

libertades civiles

Freedom of expression is a civil liberty.

dictatorship

dictadura

A dictatorship concentrates power and suppresses opposition.

Activity A — Match the words and definitions.

1. Propaganda

2. Unemployment

3. Scapegoat

4. Appoint

5. Dictatorship

a. To officially choose someone for a position.
b. A person or group unfairly blamed for difficulties.
c. A system in which power is concentrated and opposition is suppressed.
d. Communication designed to influence beliefs and behaviour.
e. The situation of people who cannot find work.

2. Before watching

Discuss:

• Why might people lose trust in their government during an economic crisis?

• Is winning public support the same as respecting democracy?

Use:

“People might lose trust when…”
“A democratic government should…”

3. First viewing — Identify the main factors

Activity B — Tick the factors discussed in the video.

☐ Germany’s defeat in the First World War.
☐ Resentment about the peace settlement.
☐ The Great Depression.
☐ Hitler’s persuasive speeches.
☐ Decisions made by political leaders.
☐ Germany winning the Second World War.

4. Second viewing — Find the details

Activity C — Answer in short sentences.

1. What burdens did the Treaty of Versailles place on Germany? Give two examples.

2. What happened in 1929?

3. How did the economic crisis help extremist parties?

4. Which groups did Hitler falsely blame for Germany’s problems?

5. How did his public speaking help him gain support?

6. Who appointed him Chancellor?

7. Why did conservative politicians support his appointment?

8. What happened to political opposition as Hitler consolidated power?

Activity D — Correct the false statements.

1. Germany’s economic problems made everyone trust the government more.

2. Hitler’s accusations against Jewish people were factual explanations of Germany’s problems.

3. Hitler became Chancellor because he won a direct popular election for that position.

4. The politicians who supported his appointment successfully controlled him.

5. After watching — Explain the process

Activity E — Complete the chain using your own words.

Economic crisis
↓
People feel __________________________
↓
Extremist politicians promise __________________________
↓
Some voters support them because __________________________

Activity F — Discuss.

Why is blaming a whole group of people for a country’s problems dangerous?

Use:

“This is dangerous because…”
“It can encourage…”
“Instead, people should examine…”

6. Exit ticket

Write 50–70 words answering:

“Did Hitler rise to power only because he was a good speaker?”

Include at least two other factors.

LESSON 3 — WHY WAS THE FIRST WORLD WAR SO DESTRUCTIVE?

Video: Archdukes, Cynicism, and World War I — Crash Course #36

Key question: Why did technological progress fail to produce a quick victory?

1. Vocabulary

Word or phrase

Meaning in Spanish

Example

machine gun

ametralladora

Machine guns made attacks extremely dangerous.

artillery

artillería

Artillery bombarded enemy positions.

poison gas

gas venenoso

Poison gas caused terrible injuries.

tank

tanque

Tanks were used during the war.

trench warfare

guerra de trincheras

Trench warfare dominated much of the Western Front.

stalemate

estancamiento militar

Neither side could achieve a decisive breakthrough.

casualties

bajas: muertos, heridos u otras pérdidas de personal

Battles caused enormous casualties.

territorial gain

ganancia territorial

Heavy losses sometimes produced little territorial gain.

destruction

destrucción

The war caused widespread destruction.

disillusionment

desilusión o pérdida de confianza

The war caused deep disillusionment.

cynicism

cinismo o desconfianza hacia las motivaciones humanas

Cynicism grew after the war.

lasting peace

paz duradera

The settlement did not establish lasting peace.

Activity A — Choose the correct word.

1. A situation in which neither army can make decisive progress is a stalemate / treaty.

2. People killed or injured in fighting are included among the casualties / allies.

3. Losing faith in ideas you previously believed is disillusionment / mobilisation.

4. Gaining control of more land is a territorial gain / civil liberty.

5. Fighting from long defensive ditches is trench warfare / propaganda.

2. Before watching — Make a prediction

Discuss this claim:

“Better weapons always make wars shorter.”

Do you agree? Give a reason.

3. First viewing — Identify the argument

Activity B — Complete the sentence.

The video presents the First World War as a conflict that changed both __________________ and __________________.

4. Second viewing — Find the details

Activity C — Answer in short sentences.

1. What assassination helped trigger the war?

2. Name three weapons or military technologies mentioned.

3. What kind of warfare became typical on the Western Front?

4. What does “stalemate” mean in this context?

5. What was the relationship between casualties and territorial gains in many battles?

6. How did the war challenge optimistic beliefs about progress?

7. Which attitudes towards the world became more common after the war?

8. Did the conflict achieve the promise of being “the war to end all wars”? Explain.

5. After watching — Compare the two WWI videos

Activity D — Complete the table.

Question

OverSimplified

Crash Course

What does the video help you understand best?

How does it use humour or irony?

What detail do you remember most clearly?

What would you like explained in more depth?

Different answers are possible. Support your choices with examples.

6. Final task — Connect all three lessons

Write 80–100 words answering:

“How can war and economic crisis weaken a society?”

Include:

• One example from the First World War.

• One example from Germany after the war.

• One explanation of how leaders can exploit fear or resentment.

Use at least four:

because · however · as a result · unemployment · propaganda · destruction · democracy

Avoid claiming that Hitler’s rise was inevitable.