The Impact of Technology on War

GRADE LEVEL: 7th GRADE

SUBJECT: TEXAS HISTORY

TOPIC:

Technology

TEKS:

7.21(B)

OBJECTIVE:

Discuss the impact of technology on war.

FOCUS:

Have students view the Heroic Stories image .

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

What do you think the white line represents? (lt is not just erased)

What might the puffs of gray and the tan lines represent? (Explain the interpretation)

RESEARCH ACTIVITY:

Traditionally technology has played a very important role in national conflicts and war. The side with the newest most advanced technology often has had the advantage.

Divide students into small groups. Each group will be assigned a conflict (where advanced technology played a role) to research. The research goal is to decide what was the new technology? How effective was it?  Did it actually help the side that controlled it?

POSSIBLE RESEARCH TOPICS INCLUDE:

Cortez (guns) verses Aztecs (arrows); Mexican American War (Gatlin gun); Desert Storm (patriot missiles); World War II (U-boats/ atomic bomb); Alamo (long rifles); Battle of Adobe Walls (buffalo rifles); Texas Rangers (Colt Walker revolvers)

CULMINATING PROJECT:

Each group will present their findings. Students will individually make posters that rank the technologies based on the impact each had on history.