• Alternate History

    • Alternate History

     

    Overview

    In an alternative history discussion forum, the instructor poses questions to learners like, ‘what might have happened differently', or ‘what if?’ to help learners gain an understanding of an event’s significance on the chain of historical occasions contributing to learners’ engagement in discussing past and current conflicts?

    Rationale

    An alternative history discussion helps learners to explore and see important events from multiple perspectives while developing tolerance, conflict resolution, and empathy.

    When this works well

    Alternative history discussions work well in any discipline that studies and analyzes important events that have already occurred.

    Connections

    QM: 3.3, 5.2, 6.2

    UDL: 7.2, 8.1, 3.1, 4.1, 6.3

    Instructions for Learners and Faculty

    In this forum, we will explore a “What if” alternate history scenario for Early United States History 1900 - 1950.

    Objectives

    Discussion Prompt

    What if the United States had not used the atomic bomb on Japan? What would have been some of the probably immediate effects? How would our world be different today?

    Initial Post Instructions

    Produce a knowledgeable argument that clearly and convincingly answers the discussion question prompt. Include strong evidence and historical information to develop and logically support your argument.

    Reply Instructions

    Provide two alternative perspectives or counterclaims to refute the arguments of your classmates. Replies must include strong evidence and historical information to develop and logically support your alternative perspectives or counterclaims.

    Grading Criteria

    Your forum posts will be evaluated according to the criteria found in the following grading rubric. You will receive a score out of 16 possible points for your initial post and your two replies.

    Basic

    (1 Point)

    Developing

    (2 Points)

    Proficient

    (3 Points)

    Advanced

    (4 Points)

    Central Argument/Claim

    The central argument or claim is not clearly stated or does not answer the prompt

    The central argument or claim is partially developed or answers part of the prompt.

    A central argument clearly answers the prompt.

    A central, precise, and knowledgeable argument clearly and convincingly answers the prompt

    Evidence

    Evidence used to support the arguments are not relevant or inaccurate

    The arguments are supported by evidence, including information and quotations.

    Evidence, including information and quotations,

    is explained to thoroughly develop and logically support the arguments.

    Evidence, including information and quotations,

    is synthesized and explained to thoroughly develop and convincingly support the arguments.

    Historical Information/ Concepts

    Demonstrates significant confusion

    about relevant historical information or concepts.

    Accurate and relevant historical information is included with only minor errors.

    Substantial historical knowledge or concepts accurately and logically informs and supports the argument with only minor errors.

    Substantial historical knowledge or concepts accurately and logically inform the argument

    and are used to challenge sources or relevant arguments.

    Perspectives

    An alternate perspective or

    a counterclaim is absent or not clearly related to the thesis.

    An alternate perspective or counterclaim

    is included, but not clearly challenged nor integrated into the argument.

    An alternate perspective or counterclaim is

    clearly distinguished from the argument and developed with evidence or reasons.

    An alternate perspective or counterclaim is thoroughly developed and refuted or used to sharpen the argument.

    Example

    Discussion Thread

     SUBJECT: No Bomb on August 6, 1954

    If the U.S. did not drop the bomb on Japan, I think the war would have gone on much longer resulting in a greater loss of life on both sides. This was also the same time that Russia decided to join the Pacific Campaign. Between the U.S. effort and the Russians, Japan and the Japanese population would have been decimated.

    With Japan gone, Russia and China would have moved into the Japanese islands. This would have impacted both the Korean and the Vietnam wars. Taiwan would have probably also been taken over.

    This would have given Russia an advantage in the following years and communism would have spread more broadly across the world.

    RE: No Bomb on August 6, 1954

     I agree that there would have been a greater loss of life. However, as the Japanese were experimenting with chemical and biological weapons, I think they would have used those before completely giving up.

    As Russia was the closest, they would have unleashed them on Russia, meaning that Russia would not be able to become a world superpower. We would not have had the cold war, and there would not be so much tension between the U.S. and Russia today.

    References

    Latif, A. P. (2019). Multiperspectivity through Alternative History in the Classroom (dissertation). ScholarWorks at UMass Boston, Boston, MA. Retrieved from https://edtechbooks.org/-caXp

    Updated 12/1/2022

    This content is provided to you freely by EdTech Books.

    Access it online or download it at https://edtechbooks.org/breaking_the_humdrum/alternate_history.