Free downloadable slideshows for teachers and homeschool students
by Ronald Wiltse
This site contains primarily slide presentations dealing with world history (and to a limited extent art and architecture). Most could be used by a student without teacher guidance. Experienced teachers may find these useful as a base from which they make additional comments (or disagree!). Users are welcome to change anything, including simply mining the shows for pictures. I am concerned with copyrights and claim fair use for some of the pictures whose use should be non-commercial only. Any copyright holder wanting me to remove a picture should let me know.
| Slide shows begin | Western civilization | World War I | Miscellaneous |
The intended use of each file is shown in parentheses at the end of a title:
SLIDE SHOWS . . .the main attraction, have, of course, (slide show)
at the end.
SUPPORTING TEXT FILES are all indented so that slide show files will stand out,
and have these parenthetical endings:
Prefix conventions (mostly a redundant and more esoteric way of presenting the
information above, but if you download many files and keep them in a single
folder, these prefixes will keep like files together):
Additional prefixes:
Extensions:
The links below will take you to the various presentations and documents. Note that all documents are indented under the relevant slide show. The listing of slide shows and handouts follows this order:
PLEASE NOTE that some slide show files are very long and may take several
minutes to download. Also note that some files which seem identical at first
glance have different extensions (mainly .pdf and .doc).
http://worldhistoryconnected.press.illinois.edu/
Serious teachers of world history need to visit this site, which is an online periodical
dedicated to the teaching of world history.
. . . and probably this site:
http://www.thewha.org/
This is the home page of the World History Association, the organization of high
school and university teachers of world history.
The use of PowerPoint shows on worldhistoryslideshows.com
ppd SUMMARY OUTLINES OF ALL DOCUMENTS.pdf
An overview of the texts of all the slide shows (I hope). This should be updated
every time I add a presentation.
pp0a THE QUESTION
.ppt (slide show)
Where is the evidence?
pp0b NOW!.ppt (about using one's time wisely) (slide show)
Short, affective presentation that goes with any subject
PPd0b Now!.pdf (text)
I use this in conjuction to my class motto (Tempus fugit! Carpe diem). It first
appeared as my annual advertisement in the school yearbook for 2009.
pp33a You and time.ppt (slide show)
Short, affective presentation encouraging the student to connect to the past
pp1 The geographical setting of world history (16x9 aspect).ppt (slide show)
Preliminary geographical material for world history
ppdsg1 The Geographical setting STUDENT GUIDE.pdf (worksheet)
ppdsg1 The Geographical setting STUDENT GUIDE.doc (worksheet)
pp1a Introduction to World History.ppt (slide show)
basic questions, issues, topics relevant to world history (This slide show
is being revised.)
pp1b Outline of world history.ppt (slide show)
One of three preview/review slide shows for the beginning, middle, and end of the
year. The preview summarizes major events in world history and introduces four themes
: the growth of freedom, spiritual developments, technology, and conflict.
pp2 Civilization invented!.ppt (slide show)
The rationale for adding three additional civilizations to the conventional four river
valley civilizations is that all seven grew from primitive life and are the only civilizations
to have done so (i.e., river valley civilizations, Cretan Civilization, Middle American Civilization, Andean
Civilization [plus Indian Civilization after Indus Civilization for convenience' sake], making
a total of eight). Additionally, Minoan/Cretan Civilization usually gets second billing even
though it is as old as Chinese Civilization.
pp5 China slides.ppt (slide show)
Ho hum. Typical of what teachers trolling the internet for PowerPoints find.
Captions but no text otherwise. The pictures, however, might meet your needs.
19 illustrations, 2 maps
pp6 The Greeks (16x9).ppt (slide show)
Cretan Civilization (with a different emphasis than its coverage in
Civilization invented!) and Greek Civilization to its conquest by the Romans
Jacques Louis David, The Death of Socrates, New York Met
pp7 Rome, the Roman Empire, and Greco-Roman Civilization_(16x9).ppt (slide
show)
Covers Roman Civilization and Greco-Roman Civilization to the fall of the
Western Roman Empire (i.e., the first third of the Roman Empire). The widespread
confusion over the fall of the city of Rome (476) and the fall of the Roman Empire
(ca. 1453) is discussed, as is the transition from Greco-Roman Civilization to Byzantine
Civilization. The Roman Empire in the east will be covered in pp8a The Eastern Roman
Empire, ca. 500-1923 (in preparation) which, as the dates indicate, covers the last
thousand years of the Roman Empire [which we call the Byzantine Empire] and the
Ottoman Empire.
ppdst7 Rome, the Roman Empire & Greco Roman Civilization.pdf (student text)
"Rome" to the fall of the western part. 3 pages
pp7a The rise of Christianity.ppt (slide show)
Holman Hunt. A Converted British Family Sheltering a Christian Priest from the Druids
pp8 Western Civilization begins.ppt (slide show)
. . . through the medieval period
Robert Lawson, Notre Dame gargoyle, from The Fabulous Flight, (1949)
Copyright the Estate of Robert Lawson
pp13 Islam and Islamic Civilization.ppt (slide show)
From the beginnings to modern conflicts
ppd13 Quiz from notes (Islam and Islamic Civilization
).doc (quiz)
Use with the above worksheet
ppd13 Quiz without notes (Islam and Islamic Civilization).doc (quiz)
More learning required, for use without worksheet
ppdsg13 Islam and Islamic Civilization, partial Student Guide.pdf
(worksheet)
This worksheet covers only VIII to the end.
pp13a Islam-conflict without and within (A4).ppt (slide show)
Specifically on conflicts past and present, there is a little repetition from pp13 Islam
and Islamic Civilization.
The Battle of Lepanto (1571), by Gustave Dore:
A big deal to Western historians, not so to Ottoman historians
pp13a Introduction to Islam-conflict without and within (A4).ppt (slide show)
A shorter version of pp13 Islam-Conflict without and within
ppd13a Islam-conflict without and within.pdf (expanded outline text)
This outline contains the outline of the longer slide show, plus an expanded outline
with more information, and with the texts of the slide show and the shorter slide show
("Introduction to...") marked, so that the teacher can have this in hand while using either
version in class.
pp14c Renaissance art.ppt (slide show)
Lots of European Renaissance art works shown and discussed, along with new
principles (211 slides)
ppdsg14c Quiz over 9 art works Answer sheet.pdf (quiz)
Fill-in the blanks quiz. The pictures are at the end of the slide show; this answer sheet is also in the
text file. This is designed for copying a class set only, as it says not to write on the sheet.
ppdsg14c Renaissance Art Quiz multiple choice.doc (quiz)
Multiple choice quiz. The pictures are at the end of the slide show; answsers
at the bottom of the page should be erased before copying. This is designed for copying
a class set only, as it says not to write on the sheet.
ppdsg14a Renaissance Art Analysis Exercise (also_in_text_file).doc (worksheet)
This is a single document based question (using a quotation from Jacques Thuillier,
History of Art), starting with multiple choice questions
and ending with an essay.
pp14a Renaissance art, shorter version.ppt (slide show)
Shorter version (166 slides)
pp14C Art quiz pictures slides.ppt (slide show)
Ten European Renaissance art works without labels, for quizzing. Answers, if
needed, are on the notes section of each slide. A similar (9 question) quiz is at the end
of the Renaissance Art slide show.
pp18 The Industrial Revolution.ppt
To play this slide show with the five sound files listed below, the show and the
five files must be stored in the same folder. Therefore, create such a folder (suggestion: title it
"The Industrial Revolution slide show" or some such), download the slide show file and move it to that
folder [unless you are able to save it directly to that folder]. Now repeat the process for each of the
five other files, so that you have a total of six files in the folder. Now click on the .ppt file in
the folder and all the music and speech files should work. Depending on your setup, this
will be easy or difficult. Even without these sound files, there are still many sounds on this
slide presentation. (There are two other slide shows with this complexity.)
Music 1 and 6 Jay Levy and Herb Pederson, So Many Questions, So Little Time, sung
by Patty Loveless.wma
Played at the beginning and twice at the end (with words on the last slide), this
children's song shows the dilemma of learning expressed in its title.
Music 3 Edward Elgar, Nimrod, variation no. 9 from from the Enigma Variations.wma
This is the most frequently played part of the Variations. I think all students
should be introduced to this music. It starts very softly, but it's on.
Music 4 Funiculi, Funicula, performed by Wynton Marsalis and the Eastman Wind
Ensemble.wma
Written in 1880 by Luigi Denza and Peppino Turco to commerate the opening of the funicular railway that climbed Mt. Vesuvius.
Music 5 Johan Strauss, Jr. The Explosions Polka.mp3
One of Strauss's novelty polkas, this starts with a loud explosion.
Max Libermann (1847-1935), Flax Barn at Lauren Hamburg.jpg
pp19b The Enlightenment (16x9).ppt (slide show)
Lengthy introduction to the European Enlightenment, with a briefer introduction to
the parallel movement that didn't reject Christianity, the Awakening
ppd19b The Enlightenment.pdf (expanded outline text)
This outline is considerably longer than the text in the slide show (in case the
teacher needs to learn some of the material; anyway, it is always better for the teacher to
know more about the subject than the students), and includes
appendices and quizzes for the teacher and for students. Appendices include: chronology
of key events, timeline of key events, and a conflicts list. 58 pages
ppdsg19b The Enlighnenment STUDENT GUIDE.pdf (worksheet)
Double-columned outline text (of the slide show only) with selected words replaced
by blanks for students to fill in
pp21b Revolution and Union (16x9).ppt (slide show)
The American Revolution followed by the movement
toward "a more perfect union",
this presentation includes the English and Enlightenment background. Sound: Leonard
Slatkin's Fugue and Chorale on Yankee Doodle.
Grand Wood, Daughters of the American Revolution,
Cincinnatti Art Museum
ppd21b The American Revolution.pdf (expanded outline text)
This is an expanded text (extra words might be useful to teachers in supplying
some classroom commentary during the presentation). There are also charts at the end
(one showing the ages of the main players in 1776, one showing the dates
of the deaths of the same people, and a chart of the major relevant artists and their
paintings). A vocabulary is included, as is a Student Guide (slide show text minus key
words).
pp21c Paradise Lost-The French Revolution and Napoleonic period.ppt
To play this slide show with the three sound files listed below, the show and the
three files must be stored in the same folder. Therefore, create such a folder (suggestion: title it
"The French Revolution slide show" or some such), download the slide show file and move it to that
folder [unless you are able to save it directly to that folder]. Now repeat the process for each of the
three other files, so that you have a total of four files in the folder. Now click on the .ppt file in
the folder and all the music and speech files should work. Depending on your setup, this
will be easy or difficult. Even without these sound files, there are still many sounds on this
slide presentation. (There are two other slide shows with this complexity.)
Mozart, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music): Allegro.mp3
Part one of this popular four movement composition (a 5th part, a minuet, is lost).
Rouget de Lisle, La Marseillaise.mp3
This is the 1830 arrangement of Hector Berlioz, which helped perhaps cause its
re-adoption as the French national anthem after being banned by Napoleon It had
been first adopted by the Convention on July 14, 1795. The spelling should not be
confused with the French city Marseille.
ppd21c Summaries of the French Revolution.doc (student text)
A hand-drawn time line of the Revolution and Napoleonic period; on the reverse
a one page summary. Because of drawing may take a long time to download (1.5 mb).
NOT YET WORKING
ppd21c The French Revolution and Napoleonic period STUDENT GUIDE.rtf (worksheet)
2 column, 2 page worksheet.
pp23 Civilized life in sub-Saharan Africa summary.ppt (slide show)
A rather dry presentation of civilized groups in sub-Saharan Africa (originally
written for teachers), there may be some useful maps here.
pp27 World War I (31 Years of Disaster, part_1).ppt (slide show)
I present World Wars I and II and the Cold War as one 77 year tragedy, all
growing out of World War I, thus the part 1 here (of the 31 years between 1914 and
1945). The subtitle is "causes, course of the war, effects."
Australian recruiting poster
ppd27 World War I.pdf (outline text)
The summary outline is longer than usual, but still as not as long as the full outline
that follows.
ppd27 World War I.doc (outline text)
The outline is in the form of 12 questions; however, the last question is useful
primarily for students who live within shouting distance of San Antonio.
ppd27 WWI-Who was on which side quiz.doc (student document)
The two alliances before and during WW I.
pp29 World War II.ppt (slide show)
To play this slide show with all 15 sound files listed below, the show and the 15 files
must be stored in the same folder. Therefore, create such a folder (suggestion: title it
"World War II slide show" or some such), download the slide show file and move it to that
folder [unless you are able to save it directly to that folder]. Now repeat the process for each of the
15 other files, so that you have a total of 16 files in the folder. Now click on the .ppt file in
the folder and all the music and speech files should work. Depending on your setup, this
will be easy or difficult. Even without these sound files, there are still many sounds on this
slide presentation. (There are two other slide shows with this complexity.)
02-Dvorak, Largo, from The New World Symphony.mp3 (sound file for WW II)
This melody sounds so much like a fold song that many have thought it to be one;
it is, however, original to Antonin Dvorak.
03-Richard Rodgers, Fire On The Waters.mp3 (sound file for WW II)
All the Richard Rodgers music here is from his soundtrack to Victory at Sea
(1954), a documentary about the historyof the US Navy in the Pacific during World War II.
Much of the music is the result of Robert Russell Bennett's orchestral arrangements.
04-Arthur Sullivan, Irish Symphony, 2nd movement.wma (sound file for WW II)
This is played at the slide showing two pictures of Winston Churchill. I first heard it
over the closing titles of Alistair Cooke's America, episode 6: Firebell in the Night
(if I remember correctly). This gem is hidden here (the moving melody starts at :40
seconds and continues to1:59). The total length of the second movement is 8:18 but I don't
recommend listening to more than the first two minutes. This is the Arthur Sullivan
of Gilbert and Sullivan fame.
09-Richard Rodgers, Beneath_The_Southern_Cross.mp3 (sound file for WW II)
same melody as Rodgers and Hammerstein's "No Other Love Have I"
FDR war on japan.mp3
FDR's December 8th speech before Congress.
.bmp)
Norman Rockwell, Rosie the Riveteer, June 1943.
Michelangelo, Isaiah, Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Rockwell usually used a live model.
ppd29 World War II.pdf (outline text)
The outline is in the form of 15 questions.
pp32a The Cold War (A4).ppt (slide show)
This might be useful even if you disagree with some of the views I express here.
The cold war is presented as entirely the result of Soviet aggression, the context including
Karl Popper's concept of the Open Society and its enemies. GHW Bush and Bill Clinton
are criticized for their cheer leader approach to newly freed areas, rather than warning
them of the difficulties facing any people desiring democratic-republican government
(a naivety not shared by the Founders). The post-cold war US is warned of the
corrupting danger of great power, with a discussion of Athens, who in its Golden Age
slipped into oppressing others without ever knowing it. But overall some might find
this too pro-American.
Topical slide shows:
ppA Key Dates in History (16x9).ppt (slide show)
First of several minor topical slide shows. Dates and illustrations without text. For
class review of the dates. Add or delete as fits your narrative.
primary list: 1066, 1492, 1861-1865, 1914-1918, 1939-1945;
secondary list: 480 BC, 44 BC, AD 1, 732, 800, 1453, 1775-1781, 1789, 1903, 1941-1945, 1969
ppdC Key Dates in History.doc (text)
The dates annotated
ppF Revolution!.ppt (slide show)
This discusses what I see as the two models of modern revolutions: the American
Revolution and the French Revolution. I find the American model superior and the
French model more influential. Basic terms relating to government, showing influence
of Karl Popper (for "democracy") and William Everdell (for "republican government").
Five necessary characteristics of modern democratic-republican government explained.
ppG Diffusion-Plants, Animals, Diseases.ppt (slide show)
Diffusion is discussed, including the Columbian Exchange and the Islamic Exchange
(my term). The
discussion begins with generalities and ends with twentieth century examples,
such as kudzu and killer bees.
ppH Diffusion-The Black Death.ppt (slide show)
Intended for use after the students have studied the Black Death in Europe, this
presentation is concerned with such issues as how historians determine past
populations and death rates, with some concern about the plague in Chinese and
Islamic areas, and a passing reference to the plague in India.
Art and architecture slide shows:
ppI Icons in Western Art.ppt (slide show)
Labeled pictures of Venus de Milo, the Birth of Venus, David, the Creation of Adam,
Mona Lisa, the Last Supper, the Thinker, Whistler’s Mother, the Starry Night, the Scream, American
Gothic, plus parodies of these. Some nudity (One can add fig leaves if desired or needed.)
ppJ Art & Architecture Comparisons.ppt (slide show)
An ongoing visual display of same subject, different painter, artist (also
architecture) comparisons. Some nudity
ppb Famous American Buildings.ppt (slide show)
Photographs of famous American buildings without labels. This can be shown all
at once or a few at a time in spare moments at the end of the period. After several
showings students can be quizzed.
ppb Famous Buildings, set 1.ppt (slide show)
One of five sets of famous buildings of the world (except American buildings) for
repetition and quizzing. Students should learn these buildings but they don't fit into
the standard curriculum.
ppb Famous Buildings, set 2.ppt (slide show)
ppb Famous Buildings, set 3.ppt (slide show)
ppb Famous Buildings, set 4.ppt (slide show)
William Balfour-Ker, Flatiron Building (Fuller Bldng.),
painted when it was two years old.
ppb Famous Buildings, set 5.ppt (slide show)
ppdb FAMOUS BUILDINGS MASTER LIST.doc (text for 6 slide shows)
The answers. Some are annotated.
ppd Famous buildings viewing record.pdf (chart)
Chart for teacher to keep track of which class has seen what.
ppb I. M. Pei.ppt (slide show)
Views of some of Pei's most famous buildings, including the Louvre remodel,
National Gallery Washington addition, Bank of China, Fountain Place Building and
Myerson Symphony Center (both Dallas), Berlin Museum, John Hancock Building
(Boston), and the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland).
The road to academic success handouts:
These are guidance and encouragement handouts handouts.
Now!.pdf
Text is identical to that of the slide show and can be used alone or distributed after seeing the
slides.
Good student, mediocre strudent.pdf
Priorities.pdf
As "Good student, mediocre student" includes a section on priorities, this should
not be used if the other is; alternatively, this could be used later in the year as a
reminder.
PowerPoint Viewer:
If you need to you can download either here. They are also available for free from
Microsoft.com if for some reason this source doesn't work. The much smaller PowerPoint
2003 viewer is all you need for these slide shows. The PowerPoint 2007
viewer will also show PP 2007 shows, which end in a .ppts extension (I believe).
The disadvantage of the viewers is that you cannot make any changes to a PowerPoint
slide show using the free viewer (for those that want to change or mine these shows).
