Merchant Seamen and Butetown's Sacrifice
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A look at the battle of the Atlantic and the role of Butetown in the war.
Teachers' notes
Age Group : 11-14,14-16,16+
Subject : History
Topic : History of Wales and England 1880-1980, Industrial Wales and Britain, Modern Wales and Britain, Twentieth century world
Keywords : Second World War, Adolf Hitler, Cardiff Docks, Butetown, Battle of the Atlantic, Atlantic Convoy, Merchant navy,
Notes : Very useful starting point for a local history study or wider enquiry. Also potential for looking at interpretations, drawing on the statement in one interview comparing the Battle of Britain and the Battle of the Atlantic.
COURSES/SUBJECTS:
HISTORY KS3: Twentieth Century World. One historic theme ( war and society). Local history - Cardiff docks.
GCSE: Germany in flux 1929-1947. Second World War. Development of Wales 1900-2000. Depression, war and renewal in Wales and England 1930-1959
A-Level: Aspects of the history of England and Wales between 1880 and 1980. Development of Wales 1900-2000. Germany in flux 1929-1947. Depression, war and renewal in Wales and England 1930-1959
Welsh Baccalaureate: Wales Europe and the World. :
POLITICS: Rise of Fascism.
OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP SKILLS IN HISTORY: Develop knowledge and understanding on the War of the Atlantic and the importance of commercial shipping convoys to the war effort in Britain. Investigate the reasons why Butetown suffered as many losses due to War in the Atlantic. Investiagte the effects of the war on Cardiff. Evaluate the following statements from the clip and form an opinion ion their historical validity: a) " I don't think we will ever be able to repay our debt to the Merchant Navy" b) " We would never have survived without the "Merchant Navy".
OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP WIDER SKILLS: Improve research skills. Develop the 4 literacy skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing through a variety of exercises. Develop skills necessary for co-working through exercises such as role-play, work in pairs and groupwork.
SUGGESTIONS FOR SETTING CRITERIA TO EVALUATE LESSON SUCCESS: Ask pupils if they: 1) Know and understand about the War in the Atlantic and the role of the Merchant Navy 2) Know about the Butetown community and its experience during the war. 3) Can form an opinion on the historical validity of statements made in the clip.
See also
Elsewhere on the web
History blog
Explore the celebrated and lesser-known incidents in Welsh history, watch rare clips from BBC Wales' own archive, find out about history events in Wales.
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