Through the investigation of selected primary and secondary sources, students in this lesson will identify, understand and be able to explain the organization of Spartan society in the age of Classical Greece, the roles males and females each played in that society, and how Spartans themselves saw the concepts of freedom and equality for all citizens.

Through an in-depth analysis of various primary and secondary sources, including a thorough examination of the Communist Manifesto itself, students in this lesson will identify, understand and be able to explain Marx’s ideas behind history and class struggle, how the Manifesto seeks to explain changes in history through revolutionary activities, and finally how and why Marx and Engels called on the proletariat of their time to revolt against the bourgeoisie. Secure in the knowledge gained in this lesson, students will then be able to judge the effects of Marx’s theories over the last 160 years and also to theorize as to whether the Manifesto is still relevant to the global society of the 21st century.

Through an in-depth analysis of various primary and secondary sources, students in this lesson will identify, understand and be able to explain Otto von Bismarck’s reasons for calling the Berlin Conference of 1884, what provisions the European nations were able to agree upon at the conference, and how the “Scramble for Africa” both temporarily saved Europe and also eventually hurt Africa.

Through an in-depth analysis of various primary and secondary sources, students in this lesson will identify, understand and be able to explain the major elements of Otto von Bismarck’s domestic policy for the German Reich during his time as Chancellor, focusing on the specifics of his old-age pension fund, his universal government medical insurance for all Germans, and the implementation of universal male suffrage.

Through an in-depth analysis of primary and secondary sources, students in this lesson will identify, understand and be able to explain how Thomas Malthus saw the ratio between population growth and food supplies, and whether or not he believed government programs designed to help the poor were in the end good for society.