The most striking history opportunities to emerge from this feature are those which link history and citizenship in what might be called an “applied history” approach. Key stage 2 students could be asked to broaden the traditional study of Ancient Egypt to include the neighbouring civilisations of Mesopotamia - Jjust as ancient and just as historically important.
In varying levels of depth, students from KS3 to A-level could look at how Britain came to be in charge of this region at the end of the Great War on behalf of the League of Nations - Iraq has a long history of interaction with the international community. Many GCSE students will have studied the effectiveness or otherwise of sanctions in earlier periods of history. A discussion comparing past and present uses of this policy could strengthen understanding of the past while providing insight into the present.
