Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)
-
Understanding of Unifications in Europe: Italy and Germany: The teacher should explain the main objective of the lesson, which is to allow students to understand the unification processes that took place in Italy and Germany during the 19th century. This includes the analysis of the main characteristics, leadership, and events that led to the unification of these countries.
-
Identification of Main Leadership and Events: Students should be able to identify and describe the main leadership and events that contributed to the unification of Italy and Germany. This involves the analysis of figures such as Giuseppe Garibaldi and Otto von Bismarck, as well as events like the Battle of Solferino and the Wars of German Unification.
-
Analysis of the Impacts of Unifications: Finally, students should be able to analyze the impacts of the unifications in Europe and the world. This includes understanding the political, social, and economic changes that occurred as a result of these processes.
Secondary Objectives:
-
Development of Critical Thinking: In addition to acquiring factual knowledge, students should be encouraged to develop critical thinking. This includes the ability to question, analyze, and form their own opinions about historical events.
-
Encouragement of Active Participation: The teacher should seek to encourage active participation from students, promoting discussions and activities that encourage them to apply what they have learned in a practical and reflective manner.
Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)
-
Review of Previous Content: The teacher begins the lesson by briefly revisiting previous content that is relevant to the understanding of the current topic. This may include a review of the Congress of Vienna, the French Revolution, the Italian Risorgimento, and the political and social situation of Germany before the Wars of Unification. This review should be done interactively, with questions and answers to engage students and activate their prior knowledge.
-
Presentation of Problem Situations: Next, the teacher presents two problem situations that will serve as a hook for the theoretical Introduction. For example, "How did Italy, a country fragmented into several city-states, unify into a single nation-state?" and "How did Germany, a country composed of a series of principalities and kingdoms, become a unified empire?" These questions are designed to instigate students' curiosity and prepare them for the upcoming content.
-
Contextualization of the Topic's Importance: The teacher then contextualizes the importance of the topic, explaining how the unifications of Italy and Germany had a significant impact on European and world history. For example, the unification of Germany under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck was an important factor in the formation of alliances that led to World War I. Similarly, the unification of Italy contributed to the end of Austrian hegemony in the Italian peninsula.
-
Engaging Introduction to the Topic: To capture students' attention, the teacher can introduce the topic in an engaging way by sharing some curiosities or interesting stories. For example, the teacher can tell the story of the "Expedition of the Thousand," in which General Giuseppe Garibaldi and his followers marched from Sicily to northern Italy, conquering several city-states in the process and contributing to Italian unification. Another curiosity could be Bismarck's political strategy, known as "Realpolitik," which involved the manipulation of alliances and conflicts to achieve his unification goals.
Development (20 - 25 minutes)
-
Explanation of Italian Unification (8 - 10 minutes)
1.1. The teacher should start by explaining the context of pre-unification Italy: The country was fragmented into several small states, many of them dominated by foreign powers like Austria. This created a sense of Italian nationalism, fueled by intellectuals and revolutionaries.
1.2. Next, the teacher should talk about the role of Giuseppe Garibaldi and the "Red Shirts": Garibaldi was a revolutionary leader who fought to unify Italy. He and his followers, known as the "Red Shirts," carried out the famous Expedition of the Thousand, marching from Sicily to northern Italy, conquering several city-states in the process.
1.3. The teacher should then explain the role of Cavour and the "Realpolitik" strategy: Cavour was a politician and statesman who served as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia, one of the main Italian states. He used the "Realpolitik" strategy, which involved the manipulation of alliances and conflicts, to weaken Austria and unify Italy under the leadership of King Vittorio Emanuele.
1.4. Finally, the teacher should discuss the role of King Vittorio Emanuele and the Conclusion of Italian unification: After the defeat of Austria in the Battle of Solferino, Vittorio Emanuele was proclaimed king of Italy. In 1870, Rome, the last city to be outside Italian control, was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy, concluding the unification process.
-
Explanation of German Unification (8 - 10 minutes)
2.1. The teacher should start by explaining the context of pre-unification Germany: The country was composed of a series of principalities and kingdoms, many of them under the influence of Austria and Prussia. There was a strong sense of German nationalism, fueled by intellectuals and revolutionaries.
2.2. Next, the teacher should talk about the role of Otto von Bismarck and the "Realpolitik" strategy: Bismarck was a Prussian politician who used the "Realpolitik" strategy to unify Germany under Prussia's leadership. He provoked a series of wars, known as the Wars of German Unification, to weaken Austria and other German states and consolidate Prussia's power.
2.3. The teacher should then discuss the role of King Wilhelm I of Prussia and the Conclusion of German unification: After the victory in the Franco-Prussian War, Wilhelm I was proclaimed Kaiser (Emperor) of the German Empire, unifying Germany.
-
Comparison of Italian and German Unifications (4 - 5 minutes)
3.1. The teacher should discuss the similarities and differences between the unification processes: Both processes involved the manipulation of alliances and conflicts, but Italian unification was led by revolutionary leaders, while German unification was led by pragmatic politicians and military figures. Additionally, Italian unification was more gradual, while German unification was faster and more violent.
3.2. The teacher should also discuss the impacts of the unifications: Both unifications had a significant impact on Europe and the world, contributing to the formation of alliances and conflicts that led to World War I. Furthermore, the unifications helped establish Italy and Germany as emerging powers on the world stage.
Return (10 - 12 minutes)
-
Connection to the Real World (3 - 4 minutes): The teacher should help students make the connection between what they learned in the lesson and the world they live in. This may include:
1.1. Analysis of Current Unifications and Disintegrations: The teacher can discuss current examples of state unification and disintegration, such as the European integration process and separatist movements in various parts of the world. This can help illustrate the ongoing relevance of the topic.
1.2. Discussion of Ethnic Conflicts and Nationalisms: The teacher can explain how ethnic conflicts and nationalist movements can be influenced by issues of unification and disintegration. This can help students understand the complexity of the unification process.
-
Reflection on Learning (3 - 4 minutes): The teacher should then ask students to reflect on what they learned during the lesson. This may include:
2.1. Reflection Questions: The teacher can provide some questions to guide reflection, such as "What was the most important concept you learned today?" and "What questions have not been answered yet?".
2.2. Sharing of Reflections: Students should be encouraged to share their reflections with the class. This can be done in a structured way, with each student having a minute to speak, or in a more open format, with students responding to each other's questions.
-
Feedback and Evaluation (3 - 4 minutes): Finally, the teacher should provide feedback on students' participation during the lesson and assess how well they achieved the learning objectives. This may include:
3.1. Praise and Encouragement: The teacher should praise students' strengths and encourage them to keep striving. This can help boost students' confidence and motivate them to continue learning.
3.2. Identification of Areas for Improvement: The teacher should identify areas where students can improve and provide specific suggestions to help them do so. This may include the need to study more about certain topics, improve participation in the classroom, or develop critical thinking skills.
3.3. Discussion of Next Steps: The teacher should discuss with students what the next steps in learning will be, including the topic of the next lesson and homework assignments. This can help students prepare for the next lesson and continue learning outside the classroom.
Conclusion (3 - 5 minutes)
-
Summary and Recapitulation (1 - 2 minutes): The teacher should start the Conclusion of the lesson by summarizing the main points covered during the lesson. This includes explaining the processes of unification in Italy and Germany, analyzing the main leadership and events involved, and discussing the impacts of these unifications. The teacher should reinforce key concepts and connections between them, ensuring that students have a solid understanding of the material.
-
Connection between Theory and Practice (1 minute): Next, the teacher should highlight how the lesson connected theory, practice, and applications. This may include discussing how the analysis of historical events can help understand the processes of state unification and disintegration in the present day. The teacher should emphasize the importance of the ability to apply historical knowledge to real-world situations.
-
Extra Materials (1 minute): The teacher should then suggest extra materials for students who wish to deepen their understanding of the topic. This may include books, documentaries, history websites, and other online learning resources. For example, the teacher may suggest that students watch the movie "The Leopard," which portrays Italian unification, or read the book "Bismarck: A Life," which explores the life and career of Otto von Bismarck.
-
Importance of the Topic (1 minute): Finally, the teacher should summarize the importance of the topic covered for students' daily lives. This may include explaining how understanding the processes of unification can help understand current political and social dynamics, and the importance of promoting peace and cooperation among peoples. The teacher should encourage students to think critically about the impact of history on their lives and the world around them.