Irish Volunteers with the flag of the Irish Republic, Easter 1916. Courtesy of the BBC.
When I set out to begin my DBQ assignment, the scope was wide and the learning rather shallow. I realized fairly early on that I was looking at a yearlong unit rather than an isolated DBQ assignment, and set out to narrow my focus. I settled on the Irish Revolution, often called the Anglo-Irish War, as the subject of my DBQ. The revolution encompassed many of the points I had hoped to make in the larger unit on revolution, so it seemed like a good platform from which to teach. I had wanted to teach students about the relatively transient elements to many revolutions, that they are progressions rather than moments, summations rather than beginnings. The primary skill taught within the lesson would be the reading of primary documents as a means of historical inquiry. Once I narrowed the focus of my DBQ, I found it much easier to teach said skill. Rather than picking and choosing from a vast array of primary documents that, in some way or another, represented a 20th century revolution, the selection of ten images, documents, and artistic renderings of the Irish Revolution allowed for a deeper understanding of revolutionary sentiment at the outset of the 1900’s.
The final project, entitled “The Irish Revolutionary Period,” traces the development of the Irish Revolution from Easter 1916 to the outbreak of the Irish Civil War in 1921 through images and documents. I tried as best I could to limit the contextual history and allow the documents to speak for themselves, though it could be difficult at times. The topic is one I’m very familiar with, so it took a bit of effort to exclude my editorial inclinations. I feel the project is fairly well-rounded, though I would like a chance to supplement the DBQ with some background lessons. I learned that the process of putting together a DBQ can be especially difficult as a teacher, because it requires one to step back and allow the students to connect the dots, rather than doing the work for them. All in all, I’m happy with the product, and its one I’m bound to use in future lessons, wherever I end up teaching.
This DBQ is part of our class-produced, multi-touch iBook. Available free at iTunes
Peter Gallagher, I enjoyed reading the pages of The Irish Revolutionary Period. I searched the iTunes store, but didn’t find it published yet. I hope you plan to make it available to others who are interested in Irish history. Of course Gallagher is an old, old Irish name. Did you find any personal connection to the struggle? All the best in preparing for your teaching career.
Hi Mike,
The iBook with the Irish Rising lesson is now available- “Exploring History” 10 Student Designed DBQs in World and US History Free at iTunes
If you enjoy it – please leave a rating or review at iTunes
Cheers –
Peter
Hello Michael,
Thanks so much for your comment. I do, in fact, have a very personal connection with the struggle; both my great uncle and great grandfather were active members of the Irish Brotherhood Army, which later became the Irish Republican Army. My great uncle would go on to take a position in DeValera’s cabinet following the Civil War. Please take a look at the finished product in the iTunes store, and let me know if you have any further questions
Best,
Peter
Nice blog.
I am not trying to be a smartass but,the caption to the photo at the start of your blog is incorrect. This is a so called trophy photo of British soldiers with a captured Volunteers flag. Which explains why the source is the ol BBC.
The uniform and hats are British. I am not sure what regiment it is but I can dig it up.