History · Grades 9–12

Causes and consequences in history · Revision sheet

Reference sheet for Grades 9 to 12: 4 key ideas, including cause, consequence and several causes. Separate long-term causes from short-term triggers, and trace intended and unintended results.

Printable summary of the study guide Causes and consequences in history.

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Cause

A cause helps explain why something happened. Long-term causes build over years; a short-term trigger is the immediate event that sets things off.

Consequence

A consequence is a result. Consequences can be intended or unintended, short-term or long-term.

Several causes

Most events have several causes. Weigh them by asking which were necessary and which made the event more likely or happen sooner.

Evidence

Support each causal claim with evidence and dates. One event following another in time does not prove that the first caused the second.

Explain without looking

Choose one event from Canadian or world history. Identify one long-term cause and one short-term trigger, and explain the difference.
Explain how a consequence of one event can become a cause of a later event. Use an example.

Check yourself

Four practice questions on this topic. Try each one before you open the answer.

Which question investigates an account's purpose?
- Why was this account created?
- Which shelf is closest?
- Is the paper my favourite colour?
- How many syllables are in the title?
Show the answer
Why was this account created? Purpose helps interpret emphasis and selection.
Which of these two events happened first? • The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights • The Statute of Westminster was passed
- The Statute of Westminster was passed
- The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
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The Statute of Westminster was passed The Statute of Westminster was passed: 1931. The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: 1948.
Which of these two events happened first? • Canadian troops fought at Vimy Ridge • The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Canadian troops fought at Vimy Ridge
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Canadian troops fought at Vimy Ridge Canadian troops fought at Vimy Ridge: 1917. The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: 1948.
Which of these two events happened first? • The Soviet Union launched the satellite Sputnik 1 • Delegates met at the Charlottetown Conference
- Delegates met at the Charlottetown Conference
- The Soviet Union launched the satellite Sputnik 1
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Delegates met at the Charlottetown Conference Delegates met at the Charlottetown Conference: 1864. The Soviet Union launched the satellite Sputnik 1: 1957.