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 World War I 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.