Dear Educator,
The quote, "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it" has graced many classroom walls over the years, and the sentiment rings more true than ever. At a time when conflicts—both national and international—seem to grow overnight, understanding the past is critical.
Not only that, but the past is very present these days. Ideals from the Enlightenment can be found throughout our politics, from the concept of separation of powers to economic theories including free-market capitalism. Meanwhile, ideologies, like fascism and communism, which were central to World War II and the Cold War, are appearing in headlines once again.
Whether you are looking for resources to supplement your history courses or are otherwise on the hunt for content that shows clear parallels between the past and the present, CFR Education has something for you.
Continue reading to explore how CFR Education readings, timelines, and simulations can be used in the classroom to cover
Designed to go beyond dates and events, CFR Education materials empower teachers to connect historical developments to today’s global challenges, making history relevant for every classroom. |
Happy learning,
Caroline Netchvolodoff Vice President, Education Council on Foreign Relations |
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Connect the past to the present through roleplay! This series of historical mini simulations asks students to step into the shoes of policymakers to advise the U.S. president on how to respond to major foreign policy moments in U.S. history. |
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While every historical period provides lessons from which students can learn, two eras that inform the present moment are highlighted below.
The first is the interwar period, a cornerstone of any U.S. history curriculum or syllabi. A resource such as ‘Why Did World War II Happen?’ can teach about the timeline and facts, but also warn of the dangers of isolationism and extremism in politics.
Another era is that which spans colonialism and subsequent decolonization movements. As with the interwar period, the resources ‘What Is Colonialism and How Did It Arise?’ and ‘How Did Decolonization Reshape the World?’ provide the basics but can also lead to topical discussions about colonialism's legacies and role in today’s conflicts.
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Want to teach history in a more linear fashion? CFR Education offers over a dozen timelines to help you do just that! Check out these that cover essential events before 1900, between 1900 and 1945, and since 1945.
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Bring the Industrial Revolution to Modern Day |
One topic that Gen Z cares deeply about is the environment. The Industrial Revolution? Maybe not as much. But connecting the two is a sure way to peak interest.
When discussing this period of history, explain how, to power growing industries throughout the Industrial Revolution, societies needed to burn fuel, and lots of it. Increasingly, that fuel came in the form of coal. When manufacturers started using coal to power their factories, CO2 emissions increased dramatically.
Ask your students to think about ways the industrial sector can innovate to help bring global temperatures down to pre-Industrial Revolution levels.
Need some ideas? This resource is a deep dive into the topic. |
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What is the Big Deal with China? |
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This is just the beginning… Stay tuned as we continue to release new historical content throughout the year to help bring the past to life in your classroom! |
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Council on Foreign Relations. All rights reserved. |
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