No historical event occurs in a vacuum. Instead, each event is connected to another and to larger political, social, cultural, and economic issues. In previous modules, you identified a topic, a historical event, and a current event related to one another. In this activity, you will dig deeper into the broader context and perspectives surrounding your selected historical event.
Prompt
Use the provided Module Three Activity Template: Historical Context Word Document to complete this activity. First, you will describe the context of your historical event using evidence from the sources you have explored. You should focus on a particular historical perspective (social, political, economic) to describe what was occurring at the time. For example, if you were researching the establishment of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, you could focus on the political context of the Civil Rights Movement and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Next, you will examine how and why a key figure or group participated in the historical event. Use the “historian think aloud” examples from the module resources as inspiration for how you might answer these questions.
Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:
.Describe the historical context surrounding your historical event.
-Use one of the perspectives mentioned in this module’s overview (social, political, economic) to focus your description and highlight particular influences on the event.
.Describe a key historical figure or group’s participation in your historical event.
-In your description, identify that figure or group’s position/role in society and their role in the event.
.Explain the key historical figure or group’s motivation to participate in your historical event.
-In your explanation, include how you think the figure’s or group’s beliefs, assumptions, and values influenced how they perceived the event and the person’s ability to directly or indirectly affect it.
.Articulate how the historical context caused or influenced your chosen historical event.
-How do you think what was going on in broader society at the time impacted your historical event?
.Explain how connecting your historical event and current event improves the understanding of your topic.
-How do you think using your historical event to explore the roots of your current event might help you better understand your topic (climate change, political protest, human rights/inequality, or global trade)?
Full Answer Section
The Stockholm Conference was held during a time of growing concern about the impact of human activities on the environment. In the decades leading up to the conference, there had been a number of high-profile environmental disasters, such as the Torrey Canyon oil spill (1967) and the Santa Barbara oil spill (1969). These disasters, along with the publication of Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring (1962), which exposed the dangers of pesticides, helped to galvanize public opinion in favor of environmental protection.
The Stockholm Conference was also held in the context of the Cold War. The two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, were locked in a global competition for influence. Environmental issues were seen as a new arena for this competition, and both sides were eager to demonstrate their commitment to protecting the environment.
Political Perspective:
The Stockholm Conference was a major achievement in the history of environmental diplomacy. It brought together representatives from all over the world to discuss the global environmental crisis and to develop a plan of action. The conference produced a number of important documents, including the Declaration of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment and the Action Plan for the Human Environment.
The Stockholm Conference was not without its critics, however. Some environmental groups argued that the conference did not go far enough in addressing the root causes of environmental problems, such as overconsumption and economic growth. Other critics argued that the conference was too focused on developing countries, and that it did not adequately address the environmental impact of industrialized countries.
Key Historical Figure:
One of the key historical figures involved in the Stockholm Conference was Maurice Strong, the Secretary-General of the conference. Strong was a Canadian businessman and diplomat who was a strong advocate for environmental protection. He played a key role in organizing the conference and in negotiating the final documents.
Strong was a controversial figure, however. Some critics accused him of being too close to business interests, and of not being sufficiently committed to environmental protection. Others praised him for his vision and his ability to bring together different groups to work on environmental issues.
Motivation to Participate:
Strong's motivation for participating in the Stockholm Conference was to help address the global environmental crisis. He believed that the conference was an opportunity to develop a global plan of action to protect the environment and to ensure sustainable development.
Strong was also motivated by a belief in the importance of international cooperation. He believed that environmental problems could not be solved by individual countries alone, and that a global approach was needed.
Impact of Historical Context:
The historical context of the Stockholm Conference had a significant impact on the event. The growing concern about environmental problems, the Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, and the role of Maurice Strong as Secretary-General of the conference all played a role in shaping the outcome of the event.
Connection between Historical and Current Events:
The connection between the Stockholm Conference and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) is clear. Both conferences were major international gatherings to address the global environmental crisis. The Stockholm Conference helped to raise awareness of the issue and to develop a global plan of action. The COP27 conference is an opportunity to build on the progress made in Stockholm and to develop new and more ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change.
Understanding of Topic:
Connecting the Stockholm Conference and the COP27 conference can help us to better understand the topic of climate change. It shows us that the issue has been a global concern for decades, and that it is becoming increasingly urgent to take action. It also shows us that international cooperation is essential to addressing the problem.
Conclusion:
The Stockholm Conference was a landmark event in the history of international environmental law and policy. It helped to raise awareness of the global environmental crisis and to develop a plan of action to address it. The conference was also shaped by the historical context of the time, including the growing concern about environmental problems, the Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, and the role of
Sample Answer
Module Three Activity Template: Historical Context Word Document
Topic: Climate Change
Historical Event: The Stockholm Conference (1972)
Current Event: The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27, 2022)
Historical Context:
The Stockholm Conference, also known as the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, was the first major international conference to address environmental issues. It was held in Stockholm, Sweden, from June 5-16, 1972, and was attended by representatives from 113 countries. The conference was a landmark event in the development of international environmental law and policy, and it helped to raise awareness of the global