The Great Acceleration
Teacher Resources
Lesson 9.4 Teaching Guide
Historical Thinking Skills Guide
Driving Question: Why has change accelerated since 1945?
The environmental historian, J.R. McNeill argues that, since the end of the Second World War, the pace of change produced by human activities has accelerated at an unprecedented rate. During the era of intense globalization, technological innovation, population growth, and human impacts on the plant have all increased exponentially. Why did this dramatic acceleration start, and how will it impact life on Earth?
- Analyze how globalization has impacted the environment.
- Create and support arguments using historical evidence to communicate conclusions.
- Use the historical thinking skill of continuity and change over time to analyze historical events and processes across multiple units.
Opener
Green Revolution
Key Ideas
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Before you watch
Before you watch the video, it’s a good idea to open and skim the video transcript. And always read the questions below so you know what to look and listen for as you watch!
While you watch
- Why did the US State Department official William Gaud coin the term “Green Revolution” in 1968, and what was he contrasting it to?
- A common saying in the US State Department during the Cold War was, “Where hunger goes, communism follows.” What does this mean, and how did this concern help launch the Green Revolution?
- How did the Green Revolution differ in different regions in its adaptation and its results?
- What were some of the methods and results of the Green Revolution?
- What are some of the critiques of the Green Revolution?
After you watch
- How was the Green Revolution political? How do you think food can be political? Can you connect the policies and impacts of the Green Revolution to the frame narrative of production and distribution? Is there any way for this kind of food aid and technology transfer to not be political?
- There is still ongoing debate about the policies and the legacy of the Green Revolution, and some new policies and technologies have continued to emerge in ways that are similar to the Green Revolution. Based on the video and your understanding of geopolitics in the Cold War and today, how do you think we can best measure whether it was a success?
Activity
Eradicating Smallpox
Key Ideas
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Before you watch
Before you watch the video, it’s a good idea to open and skim the video transcript. And always read the questions below so you know what to look and listen for as you watch!
While you watch
- What made smallpox the worst disease in history?
- What is variolation?
- Who created the first smallpox vaccine? According to Dr. Larry, how did that person discover and test vaccines?
- What was ring vaccination?
- According to Dr. Larry, what was the most important factor in eradicating smallpox?
After you watch
- After watching this video, what do you think is the single most important step that humanity could take to prevent another pandemic?
Closer