Periodization By Jeff Anderson

Periodization (Description) Historical thinking involves the ability to describe, analyze, and evaluate different ways that historians divide history into discrete and definable periods. Historians conduct and debate different, sometimes competing models of periodization; the choice of specific turning points or starting and ending dates might accord a higher value to one narrative, region, or group than to another.

Periodization (Expectations) Explain ways historical events and processes can be organized into discrete, different, and definable historical periods. Evaluate whether a particular event or date could or could not be a turning point between different, definable historical periods, when considered in terms of particular historical evidence. Analyze different and/or competing models of periodization.

Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 Period 6 Pick 3 SPRITE chart categories to describe life before event using specific evidence Using same 3 SPRITE chart categories, describe how life after event was similar or different using specific evidence Event

Periodization Also known as the “Turning Point” essay Combo of CCOT and COMP essay Describe how things were BEFORE the turning point Describe how things were AFTER the turning point MUST take a stand Show or explain the limits of the impact of the turning point. It didn’t change everything Why was this NOT a turning point?

Process – The Question You will be asked to do one of two things: Evaluate a “turning point” Must discuss developments BOTH before AND after event Evaluate the characteristics of an era Can discuss developments that EITHER came before OR after event

Evaluation of Event You must show or explain the limitations of the impact of the turning point “Did EVERYTHING change after this event?” “Do you even consider this a major turning point in World History?”

Sample Question Evaluate to what extent post WWII decolonization was a turning point in World History.

Step 1 – Identify Event Evaluate to what extent post WWII decolonization was a turning point in World History.

Step 2 – Pre-Writing Brainstorm everything you can think of that relates to your topic. Don’t worry about categorizing anything yet, just get anything you can think of down on paper

Step 3 – Choose Categories Pick 3 SPRITE Chart categories to use to describe life before the event. You may use 1 or 2 SPRITE Chart categories, but you must pull a total of 3 facts/pieces of evidence out Paint a picture for what life was like before the “turning point”

Step 3 – Choose Categories (Cont’d) Political Colonies were governed by viceroys or other European government officials. Social Europeans inserted themselves at the top of the social structure based on a number of factors including race. Economic Colonies were taken advantage of by their European colonizers for the sole profit of the mother country, with no regard of the impact on the locals.

Step 4 - Evidence Find specific examples/evidence that goes with your category: Political British East India Company Robert Clive Ruled with autonomy from British government due to a lack of communication technology

Step 4 - Evidence Find specific examples/evidence that goes with your category: Economic British Raj Replace food crops with cash crops (cotton) Viceroy ruled under direction of the Crown

Step 4 - Evidence Find specific examples/evidence that goes with your category: Social British interjected into the top of the social pyramid Ban sati and allow widows to remarry Sepoy Rebellion

Thesis Contextualization is not required, but it doesn’t hurt to set up your thesis with a story… Following WWII, most European nations either chose or were forced to grant independence to their colonies. Though decolonization was a huge event for many newly created independent nations, in many ways this event did not change the relationship between the colonizer and colonized. Traditional colonization simply morphed into Neo-Colonialism where European nations chose to exploit the weakened condition of many newly independent nations.

Actual Thesis Statement Based off of social, economic, and political factors, one can conclude that post-WWII decolonization was not a major turning point in world history. Socially, the Europeans interjected themselves at the top of the social pyramid and instituted policies that were racist or culturally insensitive. Economically, European nations simply designed policies that solely benefited their bottom line profits. Politically however, European leaders were no longer directly in charge of governing their colonies.

Putting it All Together Following WWII, most European nations either chose or were forced to grant independence to their colonies. Though decolonization was a huge event for many newly created independent nations, in many ways this event did not change the relationship between the colonizer and colonized. Traditional colonization simply morphed into Neo-Colonialism where European nations chose to exploit the weakened condition of many newly independent nations. Based off of social, economic, and political factors, one can conclude that post-WWII decolonization was not a major turning point in world history. Socially, the Europeans interjected themselves at the top of the social pyramid and instituted policies that were racist or culturally insensitive. Economically, European nations simply designed policies that solely benefited their bottom line profits. Politically however, European leaders were no longer directly in charge of governing their colonies.