History - Higher Index

Online Lessons for Students in Scotland learning Higher History

• Scottish Wars of Independence 1249-1328
• Britain 1851-1951
• Cold War 1945-1989
• Skills Questions

Succession problem: The death of Alexander III in 1286 plunged Scotland into a crisis of succession. As a result, Scotland came close to civil war and Edward  of England gained control of the country. In this lesson learn about the main issues that led to the succession problem, why these issues were a problem in finding a successor to Alexander.

Balliol and Edward: John Balliol became King of Scotland in 1292. He was controlled by Edward throughout most of his reign and was eventually removed from power in 1296, by the English king. In this lesson learn some of the main issues between John Balliol and Edward, understand in detail the reasons why Balliol’s role as king was impacted by Edward.

Wallace and Scots resistance: Scottish rebels led by William Wallace and Andrew Murray regained control of Scotland in 1297. However, the next year Edward defeated the Scots at Falkirk and Wallace’s capture followed in 1305. In this lesson learn the key roles played by Wallace and Murray in the Scottish resistance and understand the significance of Wallace and Murray in Scotland’s resistance movement against England.

Rise and triumph of Bruce: Bruce was crowned in 1306 despite little support. In the following years he subdued his Scottish enemies and defeated the English at Bannockburn. By 1328 he had secured Scotland’s independence. In this lesson learn the key points in Bruce’s successful claim to the Scottish throne and understand the significance of Bruce’s rise and triumph as King of Scotland.

Britain 1851-1951

Industrialisation and urbanisation: Democracy grew in Britain due to the impact of the industrial revolution and the Great War. New political ideas and pressure groups came to the forefront as politicians sought to secure votes. In this lesson learn of some of the factors which led to Britain becoming more democratic between 1851-1928 and understand why some factors are more important than others.

Pressure groups and examples from abroad: In this lesson learn of some of the factors which led to Britain becoming more democratic between 1851-1928 and understand in detail why some factors are more important than others.

Political advantage and effect of WW1: In this lesson learn of some of the factors which led to Britain becoming more democratic 1851-1928 and understand why some of the factors are more important than others.

In this lesson learn some of the factors which led to Britain becoming more democratic 1851-1928 and understand why some factors are more important than others.

Changing attitudes to women and suffragists/suffragettes: Changing social and political attitudes, suffrage campaigns and World War One all contributed to women winning greater political equality. In this lesson learn some of the factors which led to some women being given the vote in 1918 and understand why some of the factors are more important than others.

Women and the war effort and examples from abroad: Changing social and political attitudes, suffrage campaigns and World War One all contributed to women winning greater political equality. In this lesson learn some of the factors which led to some women being given the vote in 1918 and, understand why some factors are more important than others.

Booth and Rowntree: There was growing awareness of the problems of poverty in the early 20th century. Social, industrial, political and military factors all led the Liberals to introduce social reform. In this lesson learn the factors which explain why Liberals introduced social welfare reforms and learn why some factors are more important than others.

Municipal socialism and new liberalism: Between 1906 and 1914, the Liberals introduced social reforms to assist the young, old, unemployed, sick and workers generally. They had a limited impact on improving people’s lives. In this lesson learn the factors which led to Liberals introducing social welfare reforms and why some factors are more important than others.

National security and the rise of Labour: Between 1906 and 1914, the Liberals introduced social reforms to assist the young, old, unemployed, sick and workers generally. They had a limited impact on improving people’s lives. In this lesson learn about the factors which led to Liberals introducing social welfare reforms and why some factors are more important than others.

Meeting the needs of the old and the young: Between 1906 and 1914, the Liberals introduced social reforms to assist the young, old, unemployed, sick and workers generally. They had a limited impact on improving people’s lives. In this lesson learn about the factors which led to Liberals introducing social welfare reforms and why some factors are more important than others.

Meeting the needs of the sick and unemployed: Between 1906 and 1914, the Liberals introduced social reforms to assist the young, old, unemployed, sick and workers generally. They had a limited impact on improving people’s lives. In this lesson learn about the factors which led to Liberals introducing social welfare reforms and why some factors are more important than others.

Cold War 1945-1989

Wartime alliances: Post-WWII tension between the US and the Soviet Union led to a worldwide Cold War. Reasons for this included: ideological differences, problems in Germany, the arms race and the Korean War. In this lesson learn about the reasons which led to the start of the Cold War and understand why some factors are more important than others.

Arms race and ideology: The 1950s brought a desire for reform in Eastern Europe. The Soviet Union reacted differently to events in Poland, Hungary and Berlin, due to domestic pressures and military and ideological factors. In this lesson learn about the impact that ideological differences had in the emergence of the Cold War.

The roles of Germany and Korea: The 1950s brought a desire for reform in Eastern Europe. The Soviet Union reacted differently to events in Poland, Hungary and Berlin, due to domestic pressures and military and ideological factors. In this lesson learn about the impact that ideological differences had in the emergence of the Cold War.

Cuba – The role of Castro and foreign policy. In October 1962 the world came close to nuclear war. A crisis developed over Cuba as a result of aggressive US foreign policy, tensions created by the arms race and the actions of Khrushchev. In this lesson learn the importance of Castro’s victory and US foreign policy in the Cuban Missile Crisis and evaluate the importance of these issues as reasons for the crisis happening.

The Arms Race: Krushchev and Kennedy.  In October 1962, the world came close to nuclear war. A crisis developed over Cuba as a result of aggressive US foreign policy, tensions created by the arms race and the actions of Khrushchev. In this lesson learn the importance of Castro’s victory and US Foreign policy in the Cuban Missile Crisis and evaluate the importance of these issues as reasons for the crisis happening.

Vietnam – US challenges: In the 1950s, Vietnam descended into civil war, with the Southern government and US forces attempting to stop the spread of communism. However, by the early 1970s the US was forced to withdraw. In this lesson learn about the importance of US military weaknesses in the result of the Vietnam war and understand the importance of these issues as reasons for the war outcome.

South Vietnam’s role and North Vietnam’s strength.  In the 1950s, Vietnam descended into civil war, with the Southern government and US forces attempting to stop the spread of communism. However, by the early 1970s the US was forced to withdraw. In this lesson learn about the importance of  US military weaknesses in the result of the Vietnam war and understand the importance of these issues as reasons for the war outcome.

US public opinion and international isolation: The Communist government in Russia disintegrated due to economic pressures, the war in Afghanistan and revolt in Eastern Europe. Both Gorbachev and Regan played major roles in ending the Cold War. In this lesson learn about the factors which brought the Cold War to an end and understand the importance of these issues as reasons for the end of the Cold War.

End of The Cold War and Afghanistan: The Communist government in Russia disintegrated due to economic pressures, the war in Afghanistan and revolt in Eastern Europe. Both Gorbachev and Reagan played major roles in ending the Cold War. In this lesson learn about the factors which brought the Cold War to an end and understand the importance of these issues as reasons for the end of the Cold War.

Collapse of Communism: The Communist government in Russia disintegrated due to economic pressures, the war in Afghanistan and revolt in Eastern Europe. Both Gorbachev and Regan played major roles in ending the Cold War. In this lesson learn about the factors which brought the Cold War to an end and understand the importance of these issues as reasons for the end of the Cold War.

The Communist government in Russia disintegrated due to economic pressures, the war in Afghanistan and revolt in Eastern Europe. Both Gorbachev and Reagan played major roles in ending the Cold War. In this lesson learn about the factors which brought the Cold War to an end and understand the importance of these issues as reasons for the end of the Cold War.

Economic differences and Regan and Khrushchev: The Communist government in Russia disintegrated due to economic pressures, the war in Afghanistan and revolt in Eastern Europe. Both Gorbachev and Reagan played major roles in ending the Cold War. In this lesson learn about the factors which brought the Cold War to an end and understand the importance of these issues as reasons for the end of the Cold War.