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Course: World History Project - 1750 to the Present > Unit 2

Lesson 1: Unit 2 Overview | 2.0
Arts and humanities
World History Project - 1750 to the Present
Liberal and National Revolutions
Unit 2 Overview | 2.0
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BEFORE YOU WATCH: Unit 2 Overview

Google Classroom
Use the “Three Close Reads” approach as you watch the video below (next in the lineup!). If you want to learn more about this strategy, click here.

First read: preview and skimming for gist

Before you watch, you should skim the transcript first. The skim should be very quick and give you the gist (general idea) of what the video is about. You should be looking at the title, thumbnails, pictures, and first few seconds of the video for the gist.

Second read: key ideas and understanding content

Now that you’ve skimmed the video transcript and taken a quick peek at the video, you should preview the questions you will be answering. These questions will help you get a better understanding of the concepts and arguments that are presented in the video. Keep in mind that when you watch the video, it is a good idea to write down any vocab you read or hear that is unfamiliar to you.
By the end of the second close read, you should be able to answer the following questions:
  1. What, according to the video, is sovereignty?
  2. Who, generally, could participate in government of most states around the world before about 1750?
  3. How would you describe the big political changes that began in this period?
  4. The French revolution promised political participation to many. What did the inhabitants of Saint Louis, a West African port under French rule, think of this revolution, and did they get to participate?
  5. What does the evidence suggest about the spread of democracy around the world since 1750?

Third read: evaluating and corroborating

Finally, here are some questions that will help you focus on why this video matters and how it connects to other content you’ve studied.
At the end of the third read, you should be able to respond to these questions:
  1. How are ideas about sovereignty expressed in our political and legal system today? Do these concepts have any limits? How do you experience the limits of personal and political sovereignty?
Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to watch! Remember to return to these questions once you’ve finished watching.

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