Year 9 History Achievement Standard
12 statements aligned to content descriptors and elaborations
Achievement standard (as ACARA publishes it)
Achievement standard
Click any sentence to jump to its statement and linked content descriptors.
By the end of Year 9, students explain the historical significance of the period of the early modern world up to 1918. They explain the causes and effects of events, developments, turning points or movements globally, in Australia, and in relation to the First World War or in an Asian context. They describe the social, cultural, economic and/or political aspects related to the changes and continuities in a society or a historical period. Students explain the role of significant ideas, individuals, groups and institutions connected to the developments of this period and their influences on the historical events.
Students develop and modify questions about the past to inform historical inquiry. They locate, select and compare primary and secondary sources, and use information in sources as evidence in historical inquiry. They explain the origin, content, context and purpose of primary and secondary sources. Students compare sources to determine the accuracy, usefulness and reliability of sources as evidence. They explain causes and effects, and patterns of continuity and change connected to a period, event or movement. Students compare perspectives of significant events and developments, and explain the factors that influence these perspectives. They analyse different and contested historical interpretations. Students use historical knowledge, concepts and terms to develop descriptions, explanations and historical arguments that acknowledge evidence from sources.
The 12 achievement standard statements
Open a statement to see the content descriptors ACARA links to it, then open a descriptor's elaborations.
By the end of Year 9, students explain the historical significance of the period of the early modern world up to 1918.
Content descriptorAC9HH9K01 Knowledge and understanding
the causes and effects of European imperial expansion and the movement of peoples in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and the different responses to colonisation and migration
Elaborations (3)
- Elaboration identifying and describing the causes of the movement of peoples in the modern world, including the push factors (for example, the Agricultural Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, the Irish Potato Famine, discrimination and persecution, forced migration such as slavery and convict settlements) and pull factors (for example, the promise of a better life, employment opportunities, space and personal freedom)
- Elaboration identifying and describing the effects of the movements of peoples on colonised peoples, such as dispossession, disease, and destruction of traditional society and culture
- Elaboration examining data on the movement of peoples in the period, such as the number of slaves transported and the nations/places involved, including Portugal, Britain, France, Spain, North America, or the number of people forced to migrate from Ireland due to the potato famine, and the nations/places they emigrated to, such as the United States, Canada and Australia
Content descriptorAC9HH9K02 Knowledge and understanding
the key social, cultural, economic and political changes and their significance in the development of Australian society during the period
Elaborations (2)
- Elaboration examining the different contexts of the Australian colonies and explaining their influences; for example, analysing and evaluating the effects of physical isolation on the development of the Swan River Colony in Western Australia, the deliberate exclusion of convicts in the colonisation of South Australia, the discovery of gold on the development of Victoria, and the expansion across the Blue Mountains in New South Wales
- Elaboration examining the development of Australia’s economy from the early days of settlement up to the First World War, in particular agricultural and pastoral industries, and the key role played by the “squattocracy” and figures such as Elizabeth Macarthur
Content descriptorAC9HH9K04 Knowledge and understanding
significant events, ideas, people, groups and movements in the development of Australian society
Elaborations (6)
- Elaboration discussing the rise of nationalist sentiment in Australia in the mid- to late 19th century
- Elaboration explaining the factors that contributed to Federation and the development of democracy in Australia, such as defence concerns, economic concerns and the 1890s depression, the “White Australia" ideal, nationalist ideals and egalitarianism
- Elaboration describing the key steps to Federation, such as the Australasian Federation Conference (1890), the first Federal Constitutional Convention (1891), the second Federal Constitutional Convention (1897–1898), the first referendum on the Federal Constitution (1898), the second referendum on the Federal Constitution (1899), the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act (1900) and Federation Day (1 January 1901)
- Elaboration examining the influences on the development of the Australian Constitution, such as the British Westminster system, the Washington system and federalism
- Elaboration analysing the significance of the advance of women’s voting rights to the development of Australian democracy, including the suffragist movements, the Christian Women's Temperance Union and the Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902
- Elaboration investigating key people and groups involved in the Federation movement and the development of an Australian identity, such as Sir Henry Parkes, Sir Samuel Griffith, William Guthrie Spence, John Feltham Archibald, Catherine Helen Spence, Alfred Deakin, Tom Roberts, Frederick McCubbin, Arthur Streeton, Joseph Furphy, Barbara Baynton, Banjo Paterson, Henry Lawson, “Federation leagues”, the Australian Natives Association and The Bulletin
Content descriptorAC9HH9K19 Knowledge and understanding
the key social, cultural, economic and political features of an Asian society during the 18th and early 19th Century
Elaborations (3)
- Elaboration investigating the significant economic and political features of the Qing dynasty in China, including the role and influence of the Emperor and the role of cultural features such as art, literature and architecture
- Elaboration investigating the territorial extent of the Mughal Empire in India, the role and influence of the Mughal emperor, and the art and architecture of Mughal India, such as the Taj Mahal
- Elaboration examining the influence of the Tokugawa Shogunate on Japan’s political, economic and social development
Content descriptorAC9HH9K21 Knowledge and understanding
significant events, ideas, people, groups and/or movements in the development of an Asian society
Elaborations (5)
- Elaboration describing the activities of Christian missionaries in China, and the role of the Self-Strengthening Movement and the Society of Righteous Harmony in the Boxer Rebellion
- Elaboration investigating the role of Empress Dowager Cixi in modernising China
- Elaboration examining the role of Emperor Mutsuhito, Commodore Matthew Perry and the Satsuma Rebellion in Japan
- Elaboration describing the role of the British East India Company, the Sepoy Rebellion, the Indian National Congress, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Dadabhai Naoroji, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Mohandas K. Gandhi in the development of Indian nationalism
- Elaboration examining the contribution of Diponegoro, the Java War, Budi Utomo (Boedi Oetomo), Sarekat Islam, Sukarno, Mohammad Hatta, Sutan Sjahrir to Indonesian independence
They explain the causes and effects of events, developments, turning points or movements globally, in Australia, and in relation to the First World War or in an Asian context.
Content descriptorAC9HH9K014 Knowledge and understanding
the changing population movements and settlement patterns during the period 1750 to 1900
Elaborations (3)
- Elaboration describing reasons for changing population movements; for example, changes to agricultural practices such as enclosures, improvements in farm machinery, the development of the factory system, the development of the steam engine, and the growth of cities as people moved to the cities to find employment
- Elaboration explaining the role of the Industrial Revolution in creating a growing need for labour and transportation
- Elaboration identifying and describing the various push factors for the movement of peoples in the transatlantic slave trade, the Irish Potato Famine and convict transportation, such as the Agricultural Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, discrimination and persecution, and forced migration
Content descriptorAC9HH9K02 Knowledge and understanding
the key social, cultural, economic and political changes and their significance in the development of Australian society during the period
Elaborations (2)
- Elaboration examining the different contexts of the Australian colonies and explaining their influences; for example, analysing and evaluating the effects of physical isolation on the development of the Swan River Colony in Western Australia, the deliberate exclusion of convicts in the colonisation of South Australia, the discovery of gold on the development of Victoria, and the expansion across the Blue Mountains in New South Wales
- Elaboration examining the development of Australia’s economy from the early days of settlement up to the First World War, in particular agricultural and pastoral industries, and the key role played by the “squattocracy” and figures such as Elizabeth Macarthur
Content descriptorAC9HH9K03 Knowledge and understanding
the causes and effects of European contact and extension of settlement, including their impact on the First Nations Peoples of Australia
Elaborations (6)
- Elaboration investigating Cook’s ”secret” instructions from the Lords of the Admiralty (30 July 1768) that requested him to “with the Consent of the Natives to take possession of the Convenient Situations in the Country in the Name of the King of Great Britain” with relation to understanding of terra nullius
- Elaboration examining the effects of colonisation, such as frontier conflict and massacres of First Nations Australians, the spread of European diseases and the destruction of cultural lifestyles
- Elaboration explaining the contribution of various industries such as wheat, wool, beef, mining, cotton, fishing, pearling and whaling to Australia’s economic development and prosperity over the 19th century, as well as the associated impacts on the ecosystems; for example, the loss of native plants, compacting of soil, water run-off
- Elaboration analysing the impact of colonisation by Europeans on First Nations Australians such as frontier warfare, massacres, removal from land, and relocation to “protectorates”, reserves and missions
- Elaboration investigating how First Nations Australians responded to colonisation, including through making important contributions to the various industries that were established on their lands and waters, adopting Christianity and other settler religions
- Elaboration investigating the forcible removal of children from First Nations Australian families in the late 19th century and 20th century (leading to the Stolen Generations), including the motivations for the removal of children, the practices and laws that were in place, and experiences of separation
Content descriptorAC9HH9K08 Knowledge and understanding
the causes of the First World War and the reasons why Australians enlisted to fight in the war
Elaborations (6)
- Elaboration identifying and describing the long-term causes of the First World War, such as militarism, the alliance system among European countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, imperialism and nationalism
- Elaboration identifying and describing the short-term triggers of the First World War, such as the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary, the “July Crisis” between Austria-Hungary and Serbia, and the invasion of Belgium by Germany
- Elaboration explaining the different perspectives towards war at the turn of the 20th century, such as notions of war as noble and heroic or as an adventure
- Elaboration examining the responses of Australia’s political leaders to the outbreak of war such as prime minister Andrew Fisher’s pledge to back Britain “to the last man and the last shilling”
- Elaboration listing the reasons why Australian men enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force; for example, the challenges of living on the land and a need for a regular pay; adventure; to do their duty for the British Empire; impact of persuasive propaganda posters, pamphlets and leaflets; peer and community pressure
- Elaboration examining the stories of First Nations Australian men who enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force
Content descriptorAC9HH9K13 Knowledge and understanding
the social, economic, political, technological and/or environmental causes and effects of the Industrial Revolution on Europe in the late 18th and 19th century
Elaborations (4)
- Elaboration explaining how changes in technology, such as steam-driven spinning mills, railways and steam ships, led to the development of factories and industrialised cities
- Elaboration identifying the spread of innovations such as steam power, iron and steel production, transport and the use of new chemicals in Europe, the USA and Japan
- Elaboration analysing factors that caused the Industrial Revolution; for example, the Agricultural Revolution, Enlightenment ideas, access to raw materials, a growing population, a wealthy middle class, increased individual freedom, access to cheap labour, improvements to the transport system, inventions and innovations, trade and commerce, and an expanding empire
- Elaboration evaluating the most significant effects of the Industrial Revolution, such as economic growth, changing economic and social structures, changes in working conditions, a rise in the standard of living, growth of the middle class, new ideas, imperialism and environmental impacts
Content descriptorAC9HH9K15 Knowledge and understanding
the short-, medium- and long-term effects of population movements and changing settlement patterns during this period, such as global demographic changes, transport, new ideas, and political and social reforms
Elaborations (3)
- Elaboration describing the impact of factories, mines and cities on the environment, and on population growth and distribution
- Elaboration investigating the impact of the development of the steam engine on transport, manufacturing and trade
- Elaboration explaining how social and political reforms resulted in higher standards of living for many, including in health care and education, and political and workplace reforms
Content descriptorAC9HH9K19 Knowledge and understanding
the key social, cultural, economic and political features of an Asian society during the 18th and early 19th Century
Elaborations (3)
- Elaboration investigating the significant economic and political features of the Qing dynasty in China, including the role and influence of the Emperor and the role of cultural features such as art, literature and architecture
- Elaboration investigating the territorial extent of the Mughal Empire in India, the role and influence of the Mughal emperor, and the art and architecture of Mughal India, such as the Taj Mahal
- Elaboration examining the influence of the Tokugawa Shogunate on Japan’s political, economic and social development
Content descriptorAC9HH9K20 Knowledge and understanding
the causes and effects of European contact, including colonialisation, on an Asian society
Elaborations (4)
- Elaboration identifying aspects of the Asian society under investigation that remained the same or changed during this period, especially as a result of contact with European powers
- Elaboration describing the reasons for and the effects of the British opium trade with China
- Elaboration examining the development of the British Raj and identifying British influences on Indian society
- Elaboration investigating the short- and long-term effects of Dutch trade and colonisation on Indonesian society from the 17th century
They describe the social, cultural, economic and/or political aspects related to the changes and continuities in a society or a historical period.
Content descriptorAC9HH9K05 Knowledge and understanding
continuities and changes and their effects on ways of life and living conditions, political and legal institutions, and cultural expression around the turn of the 20th century in Australian society
Elaborations (4)
- Elaboration examining the living and working conditions in Australia around 1900 and making comparisons between different settings (for example, rural versus urban) using sources such as photographs, paintings, diaries and newspapers
- Elaboration examining the social and political impact of religious sectarianism between Catholics and Protestants in the formation of the Australian nation
- Elaboration identifying the main features of housing, sanitation, transport, education, agriculture and industry that influenced living and working conditions in Australia around 1900 and comparing them with early colonisation around 1800
- Elaboration explaining how laws made by the federal parliament, such as those resulting from the Harvester Judgement or the introduction of pensions, affected working conditions and standards of living
Content descriptorAC9HH9K07 Knowledge and understanding
the development of Australian society in relation to other nations in the world by 1914, including the effects of ideas and movements of people
Elaborations (2)
- Elaboration investigating how the major social legislation of the new Federal Government affected living and working conditions in Australia; for example, the Harvester Judgment, the Immigration Restriction Act 1901, invalid and old-age pensions, the maternity allowance scheme and the Defence Act 1903
- Elaboration explaining the continuities and changes in the role of women, such as advocating for women’s rights, suffrage, political representation and pacificism; (for example, Elizabeth Macquarie, Caroline Chisholm, Catherine Helen Spence, Louisa Lawson, Muriel Matters, Vida Goldstein)
Content descriptorAC9HH9K11 Knowledge and understanding
the effects of the First World War on Australian society, such as the role of women, political debates about conscription, relationships with the British Empire, and the experiences of returned soldiers
Elaborations (4)
- Elaboration investigating examples of the war’s effects on society, such as the changes to women’s roles during the war compared to continuities before and after the war
- Elaboration investigating the first and second referenda on conscription, including the role of prime minister Billy Hughes, the division within the Labor Party over this issue and identifying the groups who opposed conscription, such as trade unionists and Irish Catholics such as Archbishop Daniel Mannix, and the grounds for their objections
- Elaboration examining the continuities and changes in Australia’s relationship with the British Empire, such as changing sentiments about Britain as the mother country
- Elaboration explaining the effects of war on returned soldiers, including First Nations Australian soldiers, such as physical and psychological trauma, shell shock, employment opportunities, social and racial discrimination, service recognition, land allocation (Soldier Settlement Scheme), wage inequality, and access to health care and pensions
Content descriptorAC9HH9K17 Knowledge and understanding
the ideas that emerged and influenced change in society, such as nationalism, capitalism, imperialism, socialism, egalitarianism and Chartism
Elaborations (3)
- Elaboration explaining why an idea emerged and the basis of that idea, such as Chartism (the movement in support of the People’s Charter of 1838 in Britain), and identifying changes that arose from that idea, such as universal male suffrage and the secret ballot
- Elaboration examining the causes and impacts of the French Revolution on politics and citizens’ rights including in the United Kingdom and the USA
- Elaboration examining the role of religious beliefs in the movement to end the slave trade, reforms to improve the negative effects of the Industrial Revolution, the enfranchisement of women and the rise of organised labour
Content descriptorAC9HH9K22 Knowledge and understanding
continuities and changes and their effects on the ways of life and living conditions, political and legal institutions, and cultural expression around the turn of the 20th century in an Asian society
Elaborations (4)
- Elaboration explaining the position of the Asian society in relation to other nations in the world around the turn of the 20th century, including the influence of significant ideas such as nationalism
- Elaboration describing how increasing foreign influence and imperialism was challenging and changing Asian societies; for example, the development of steam-powered factories, especially in terms of military machinery, in China and Japan
- Elaboration investigating what remained the same or changed during this period as a result of contact with European powers such as describing the British Raj and identifying British influences on society (for example, the building of roads, an extensive railway network, schools and Christian missions) and the impact of the introduction of British government and law
- Elaboration comparing the Cultivation System and the Ethical System in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia)
Content descriptorAC9HH9K24 Knowledge and understanding
the development of an Asian society in relation to other nations in the world by 1914, including the effects of ideas such as nationalism and self-determination
Elaborations (1)
- Elaboration investigating the confrontation between an Asian country and Western powers, such as the Sino–French war, the Russo–Japanese war, or the increasing demand for Indian or Indonesian independence and self-government
Students explain the role of significant ideas, individuals, groups and institutions connected to the developments of this period and their influences on the historical events.
Content descriptorAC9HH9K05 Knowledge and understanding
continuities and changes and their effects on ways of life and living conditions, political and legal institutions, and cultural expression around the turn of the 20th century in Australian society
Elaborations (4)
- Elaboration examining the living and working conditions in Australia around 1900 and making comparisons between different settings (for example, rural versus urban) using sources such as photographs, paintings, diaries and newspapers
- Elaboration examining the social and political impact of religious sectarianism between Catholics and Protestants in the formation of the Australian nation
- Elaboration identifying the main features of housing, sanitation, transport, education, agriculture and industry that influenced living and working conditions in Australia around 1900 and comparing them with early colonisation around 1800
- Elaboration explaining how laws made by the federal parliament, such as those resulting from the Harvester Judgement or the introduction of pensions, affected working conditions and standards of living
Content descriptorAC9HH9K06 Knowledge and understanding
different experiences and perspectives of colonisers, settlers and First Nations Australians and the impact of these experiences on changes to Australian society's ideas, beliefs and values
Elaborations (5)
- Elaboration investigating the experiences of a specific group of arrivals to Australia, such as convicts in Sydney, Hobart or Brisbane, or free settlers in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth or Darwin
- Elaboration examining how convicts transported to Australia were able to begin new lives away from the rigid class structures of English society, with many of them making significant contributions to the emerging colonial society; for example, Francis Greenway and Samuel Terry
- Elaboration describing the impact of changes brought about by non-indigenous groups on First Nations Australians
- Elaboration examining the experiences of non-Europeans in Australia prior to the 1900s, such as Japanese pearlers in Darwin, Chinese people on the goldfields in Victoria and New South Wales, South Sea Islanders on sugar plantations in Queensland, and Afghan cameleers in central Australia
- Elaboration exploring the perspectives and experiences of First Nations Australians, including discussing terms in relation to Australian history such as “invasion”, “colonisation” and “settlement”, and why these continue to be contested within society today
Content descriptorAC9HH9K09 Knowledge and understanding
the places of significance where Australians fought, their perspectives and experiences, including the Gallipoli campaign, the Western Front and the Middle East
Elaborations (3)
- Elaboration identifying the places where Australians fought, such as Gallipoli, Fromelles, the Somme, Pozières, Passchendaele, Bullecourt, Villers-Bretonneux, Sinai Peninsula, Gaza and Beersheba
- Elaboration investigating the difficulties of trench warfare, the development of military technology such as the use of tanks, aeroplanes and chemical weapons (gas)
- Elaboration comparing and contrasting the different experiences of war, such as those of foot soldiers on the Western Front compared with those of the Light Horse in Palestine
Content descriptorAC9HH9K10 Knowledge and understanding
significant events and turning points of the war and the nature of warfare, including the Western Front Battle of the Somme and the Armistice
Elaborations (3)
- Elaboration investigating one major battle, such as Gallipoli, Fromelles, the Somme, Pozières, Passchendaele, Bullecourt, Villers-Bretonneux or Beersheba, and examining locations, techniques and warfare
- Elaboration examining the perspectives of those who fought on both sides using sources such as diaries, letters and newspapers
- Elaboration evaluating the significance of the Russian Revolution, American entry into the war and the Armistice of November 1918 in ending the war
Content descriptorAC9HH9K12 Knowledge and understanding
the commemoration of the First World War, including different historical interpretations and debates about the nature and significance of the Anzac legend and the war
Elaborations (4)
- Elaboration investigating the ideals associated with the Anzac tradition and how and why the First World War is commemorated within Australian society
- Elaboration discussing the similarities and differences in historians’ views of the Anzac legend over time
- Elaboration identifying differences between commemoration and glorification of war
- Elaboration evaluating the fairness of post-war treaties on the defeated powers, such as the Treaty of Versailles on Germany
Content descriptorAC9HH9K16 Knowledge and understanding
the different perspectives and experiences of men, women and children during the Industrial Revolution, and their changing way of life
Elaborations (3)
- Elaboration comparing and contrasting the impact of steam, gas and electricity on people’s way of life during the Industrial Revolution; for example, differences in living conditions for rich and poor, improvements in living standards, and changes in working conditions for agricultural workers
- Elaboration investigating the changes in working conditions, such as longer working hours for low pay and the use of children as a cheap source of labour
- Elaboration identifying the growth of trade unions as a response to the impacts of the Industrial Revolution on the working class
Content descriptorAC9HH9K18 Knowledge and understanding
the role of a significant individual or group such as agricultural and factory workers, inventors and entrepreneurs, landowners, politicians and religious groups in promoting and enacting some of the ideas that emerged during the Industrial Revolution
Elaborations (2)
- Elaboration explaining responses to particular ideas; for example, how religious groups responded to ideas in Charles Darwin’s 1859 book On the Origin of Species or how workers responded to the idea of capitalism or socialism
- Elaboration investigating the role played by an individual or group in promoting a key idea; for example, the role of Adam Smith and entrepreneurs in promoting capitalism, Florence Nightingale in promoting reform to health care and the rights of women, Pope Leo XIII in promoting the rights of workers in capitalist economies, Chartist William Cuffay in Tasmania or British Chartists on the goldfields in Victoria and New South Wales
Content descriptorAC9HH9K22 Knowledge and understanding
continuities and changes and their effects on the ways of life and living conditions, political and legal institutions, and cultural expression around the turn of the 20th century in an Asian society
Elaborations (4)
- Elaboration explaining the position of the Asian society in relation to other nations in the world around the turn of the 20th century, including the influence of significant ideas such as nationalism
- Elaboration describing how increasing foreign influence and imperialism was challenging and changing Asian societies; for example, the development of steam-powered factories, especially in terms of military machinery, in China and Japan
- Elaboration investigating what remained the same or changed during this period as a result of contact with European powers such as describing the British Raj and identifying British influences on society (for example, the building of roads, an extensive railway network, schools and Christian missions) and the impact of the introduction of British government and law
- Elaboration comparing the Cultivation System and the Ethical System in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia)
Content descriptorAC9HH9K23 Knowledge and understanding
different experiences and perspectives of colonisers and Asian peoples from the time and the impact of changes to society, including events, ideas, beliefs and values
Elaborations (2)
- Elaboration comparing and contrasting different perspectives about the effect of European colonisation on Asian countries for example, the views of people in various mainland provinces of China, the views of samurai on Meiji modernisation, views of British Raj families versus members of the Independence Movement in India, views of the Dutch colonials versus native Indonesians in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia)
- Elaboration comparing the similarities and differences in historians’ views about the significance of Western colonial influences on Asian countries, such as Americans in Japan, the British in India, or the Dutch in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia)
Students develop and modify questions about the past to inform historical inquiry.
Content descriptorAC9HH9S01 Skills
develop and modify a range of historical questions about the past to inform historical inquiry
Elaborations (3)
- Elaboration developing a range of questions about aspects of the past that require historical argument
- Elaboration developing an inquiry question such as “What were the effects of the Industrial Revolution?” and refining it as further factors are introduced into the research process
- Elaboration modifying questions using historical concepts such as cause, effect, change and continuity
They locate, select and compare primary and secondary sources, and use information in sources as evidence in historical inquiry.
Content descriptorAC9HH9S02 Skills
locate, identify and compare primary and secondary sources to use in historical inquiry
Elaborations (3)
- Elaboration locating historical sources from archives, museums and online collections
- Elaboration recognising the role of technology in providing access to sources, such as the ability to access resources that historians use
- Elaboration comparing sources to analyse changes over time, including data from online records such as immigration records
They explain the origin, content, context and purpose of primary and secondary sources.
Content descriptorAC9HH9S03 Skills
identify the origin and content of sources, and explain the purpose and context of primary and secondary sources
Elaborations (4)
- Elaboration identifying the context of a source, such as when and where it was produced, and whether it was at the same time as the event being studied or after the event
- Elaboration identifying literal and symbolic features of sources and explaining their purpose and inferences
- Elaboration explaining the events, ideas and individuals represented in a visual source
- Elaboration analysing the intent of the author and purpose of the source
Students compare sources to determine the accuracy, usefulness and reliability of sources as evidence.
Content descriptorAC9HH9S04 Skills
explain the usefulness of primary and secondary sources, and the reliability of the information as evidence
Elaborations (2)
- Elaboration identifying that the reliability and usefulness of a source depends on the questions asked of it, such as an account having a particular historical perspective and therefore being of use in revealing past prevailing attitudes
- Elaboration determining the extent to which the accuracy or purpose of a source affects its usefulness
They explain causes and effects, and patterns of continuity and change connected to a period, event or movement.
Content descriptorAC9HH9S05 Skills
analyse cause and effect, and evaluate patterns of continuity and change
Elaborations (2)
- Elaboration creating a timeline that identifies the significant events or individuals across a particular period, observing and discussing patterns of causation and change, and/or identifying parts of the world that were involved in or affected by a significant event
- Elaboration organising a range of primary sources and/or perspectives in chronological order to support the development of a historical argument about continuities or changes
Students compare perspectives of significant events and developments, and explain the factors that influence these perspectives.
Content descriptorAC9HH9S06 Skills
compare perspectives in sources and explain how these are influenced by significant events, ideas, locations, beliefs and values
Elaborations (3)
- Elaboration determining whether or not the information in one historical source can be verified by information in another historical source
- Elaboration comparing and contrasting the range of perspectives at the time surrounding a historical event, and consider voices that may be absent from the sources such as those of women, men, children, ethnic groups, Indigenous peoples and minority groups
- Elaboration discussing whether the perspective of one individual in the period is representative of a majority or minority view at that time
They analyse different and contested historical interpretations.
Content descriptorAC9HH9K12 Knowledge and understanding
the commemoration of the First World War, including different historical interpretations and debates about the nature and significance of the Anzac legend and the war
Elaborations (4)
- Elaboration investigating the ideals associated with the Anzac tradition and how and why the First World War is commemorated within Australian society
- Elaboration discussing the similarities and differences in historians’ views of the Anzac legend over time
- Elaboration identifying differences between commemoration and glorification of war
- Elaboration evaluating the fairness of post-war treaties on the defeated powers, such as the Treaty of Versailles on Germany
Content descriptorAC9HH9S07 Skills
analyse different and contested historical interpretations
Elaborations (4)
- Elaboration exploring debates about the historical period or topic studied, such as the relative importance of and responsibility for the causes of First World War
- Elaboration comparing similarities and differences in historians' views about colonial society, such as the emergence of Australian identity, the influence of the "White Australia" debate on the push for Federation, and the idea of Australia as a "working man's paradise"
- Elaboration identifying different interpretations of specific events (for example, the debate about conscription in Australia during the First World War)
- Elaboration analysing how historians have changed the way they interpret the event under investigation over time, such as a change in view with the discovery of more sources (for example, as with frontier conflicts in Australia)
Students use historical knowledge, concepts and terms to develop descriptions, explanations and historical arguments that acknowledge evidence from sources.
Content descriptorAC9HH9S08 Skills
create descriptions, explanations and historical arguments, using historical knowledge, concepts and terms that incorporate and acknowledge evidence from sources
Elaborations (4)
- Elaboration developing a historical argument that identifies different possibilities in interpretation and argues a particular point of view with consistent reference to the evidence available
- Elaboration selecting appropriate formats to communicate a historical argument and represent historical evidence; for example, an oral presentation, a script or a visual display
- Elaboration developing an explanation, interpretation or argument using historical concepts and terms such as contested historical interpretations
- Elaboration constructing a historical argument using selected evidence from sources to support an interpretation of the past; for example, to affect the audience or justify an argument about a commemoration, settler societies or the Industrial Revolution
This achievement standard describes the expected learning for Year 9 History. Use it to plan teaching and assessment with the Australian Curriculum v9.
At a Glance
| Strand | Substrand | CDs | Elaborations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knowledge and understanding | Making and transforming the Australian nation (1750–1914) | 7 | 28 |
| Knowledge and understanding | The Industrial Revolution and the movement of peoples (1750–1900) | 6 | 18 |
| Knowledge and understanding | First World War (1914–1918) | 5 | 20 |
| Knowledge and understanding | Asia and the World (1750–1914) | 6 | 19 |
| Skills | Questioning and researching | 2 | 6 |
| Skills | Using historical sources | 2 | 6 |
| Skills | Historical perspectives and interpretations | 3 | 9 |
| Skills | Communicating | 1 | 4 |
| Total | 32 | 110 | |