Social Studies: Steampunk Creates Alternate Histories_
Steampunk is inspired by a time when steam power was the primary energy source. Typically thought of as the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Steampunk is inspired by the Industrial Revolution, the Victorian Era in England, and the Wild West in America. It offers a rich approach to learning about this time period. Important historic events shape steampunk fiction, and notable historical figures are introduced. The settings feel very real, providing many details of life during this period. And steampunk captures the social conditions of the time, including gender roles. Yet, steampunk can combine futuristic technologies with historic settings, allowing readers to imagine how events of history can be shaped in different ways.
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Leviathan is the first book in a steampunk alternative history trilogy based on the true events of World War I: the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, and his wife Sophie, by Serbian revolutionaries. In the series, the war is fought between the Clankers, whose technology is based on machines, and the Darwinists, whose use of DNA to fabricate new species result in flying warships like the living ecosystem, Leviathan. Westerfeld provides an afterward for each book to describe aspects both true and fictional.
In Leviathan, Ferdinand’s son, Prince Aleksandar, flees Hungary-Austria for Switzerland piloting a stormwalker—a war machine that walks on two legs. Meanwhile, Deryn Sharp trains for the British Air Service on the Leviathan; disguised as a boy, her passion and aptitude for flight earns the respect of her fellow British officers on the massive, whale-like flying ship. When the Leviathan crashes in the Swiss Alps, Deryn meets Alek, and while their two countries are at war, the two form an alliance.
Leviathan explains the events surrounding the start of World War I, introduces additional historic figures including Charles Darwin and Winston Churchill, and helps the reader understand the strict gender roles held by women. It also offers an imaginative group of Darwinist inventions and thrilling action on the warship Leviathan.
In Leviathan, Ferdinand’s son, Prince Aleksandar, flees Hungary-Austria for Switzerland piloting a stormwalker—a war machine that walks on two legs. Meanwhile, Deryn Sharp trains for the British Air Service on the Leviathan; disguised as a boy, her passion and aptitude for flight earns the respect of her fellow British officers on the massive, whale-like flying ship. When the Leviathan crashes in the Swiss Alps, Deryn meets Alek, and while their two countries are at war, the two form an alliance.
Leviathan explains the events surrounding the start of World War I, introduces additional historic figures including Charles Darwin and Winston Churchill, and helps the reader understand the strict gender roles held by women. It also offers an imaginative group of Darwinist inventions and thrilling action on the warship Leviathan.
Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld
The action series continues as the Leviathan travels to the Istanbul. The Clankers (Austria-Hungary and Germany) and the Darwinists (England and Russia) struggle to control this strategic city, while Alek seeks additional allies in his hope to bring an early conclusion to the fighting. A new Darwinist warship, the Behemoth, plays an important role, and Alek and Deryn must work together to protect the Leviathan from an attack that could ignite the hydrogen-based flying ecosystem.
Again, Westerfeld blends true events, such as the strategic location of Istanbul and the instability of the Ottoman Empire, with his alternate history. Actual warships--German ironclads Breslau and Goeben--fight against steampunk inventions. The actual locomotive, the Orient Express, makes an appearance. And the roles of historical figures, including German and English admirals, are described. Illustrations by Keith Thompson are detailed, dark and creative, bringing the steampunk world into focus for the reader.
Again, Westerfeld blends true events, such as the strategic location of Istanbul and the instability of the Ottoman Empire, with his alternate history. Actual warships--German ironclads Breslau and Goeben--fight against steampunk inventions. The actual locomotive, the Orient Express, makes an appearance. And the roles of historical figures, including German and English admirals, are described. Illustrations by Keith Thompson are detailed, dark and creative, bringing the steampunk world into focus for the reader.
Goliath by Scott Westerfeld
In the exiting conclusion, Deryn and Alek fly across Russian and the United States in the Leviathan with a new passenger, Nikola Tesla. Can Tesla's invention, Goliath, bring an early end to the world war?
Goliath introduces additional historical characters. In addition to the inventor Tesla, readers meet newspaper rivals William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer along with "girl reporter" Adela Rogers St. Johns.
Goliath introduces additional historical characters. In addition to the inventor Tesla, readers meet newspaper rivals William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer along with "girl reporter" Adela Rogers St. Johns.
Steampunk Social Studies Teacher Resources and Lesson Plans
Charles Darwin and his voyage on the Beagle
TAKE A VOYAGE WITH CHARLES DARWIN: http://www.cnrs.fr/cw/dossiers/dosdarwinE/darwin.html
Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan trilogy describes a variety of “beasties” or fabricated animals designed for a special uses and based upon real creatures. The ability to use DNA to create these animal inventions is very futuristic—well beyond our current technology. Yet, these creatures are based on the work of Charles Darwin, who lived from 1809 to 1882.
1. View the video and travel with Charles Darwin on the Beagle to learn about how this around-the-world trip influenced his thinking about how animal species evolved and also his thoughts about slavery.
2. Describe an animal, bird or insect that Darwin studied on his voyage on the Beagle, then imagine a fabricated creature similar to the unusual creations found in Leviathan. Would your new creature be used for a war time purpose? In times of peace? To assist with everyday activities?
3. Write about how this creature would be used during the steampunk era. In a brief “afterward” describe what aspects of your invention are true and what part of your description is an alternate history.
Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan trilogy describes a variety of “beasties” or fabricated animals designed for a special uses and based upon real creatures. The ability to use DNA to create these animal inventions is very futuristic—well beyond our current technology. Yet, these creatures are based on the work of Charles Darwin, who lived from 1809 to 1882.
1. View the video and travel with Charles Darwin on the Beagle to learn about how this around-the-world trip influenced his thinking about how animal species evolved and also his thoughts about slavery.
2. Describe an animal, bird or insect that Darwin studied on his voyage on the Beagle, then imagine a fabricated creature similar to the unusual creations found in Leviathan. Would your new creature be used for a war time purpose? In times of peace? To assist with everyday activities?
3. Write about how this creature would be used during the steampunk era. In a brief “afterward” describe what aspects of your invention are true and what part of your description is an alternate history.
Winston Churchill and World War I
LEARN ABOUT WINSTON CHURCHILL'S ROLE IN IMPROVING ENGLAND'S NAVY: Winston Churchill: British Soldier, Writer, Statesman by Brenda Haugen
1. Winston Churchill was named First Lord of the Admiralty in England in 1911, and he is an historical character in Leviathan. Read about Churchill's early life and his role in England's navy.
2. Write a newspaper story about Churchill's improvements to the navy. The newspaper story can include descriptions of actual airships and landships added to the navy in preparation for the war, or it can include descriptions of the airships and stormwalkers from Leviathan.
3. Include an afterward describing what aspects of your newspaper story are true and what aspects are alternate history.
1. Winston Churchill was named First Lord of the Admiralty in England in 1911, and he is an historical character in Leviathan. Read about Churchill's early life and his role in England's navy.
2. Write a newspaper story about Churchill's improvements to the navy. The newspaper story can include descriptions of actual airships and landships added to the navy in preparation for the war, or it can include descriptions of the airships and stormwalkers from Leviathan.
3. Include an afterward describing what aspects of your newspaper story are true and what aspects are alternate history.
Airships
VISIT THE HINDENBURG AND OTHER AIRSHIPS: www.airships.net
1. Explore this website to learn more about airships, their history and the experience of passengers and crew members.
2. How do airships compare with today's airplanes? Which would you rather travel in?
2. Read the "Passenger Diary Entry" about a trip on the Hindenburg. How does this compare with Deryn's experience on the Leviathan?
1. Explore this website to learn more about airships, their history and the experience of passengers and crew members.
2. How do airships compare with today's airplanes? Which would you rather travel in?
2. Read the "Passenger Diary Entry" about a trip on the Hindenburg. How does this compare with Deryn's experience on the Leviathan?
Resources for Students
Who Wants to Live a Million Years?
PLAY A GAME SHOW USING DARWIN'S RULES OF NATURAL SELECTION: http://science.discovery.com/interactives/literacy/darwin/darwin.html
Learn more about Charles Darwin and his concept of "survival of the fittest." Like the Darwinists from Leviathan, can you create a new species--one that will last a million years?
Learn more about Charles Darwin and his concept of "survival of the fittest." Like the Darwinists from Leviathan, can you create a new species--one that will last a million years?