Treaty Context Exploration
📚 Part 1: Understanding the Historical Context
1. What was New Zealand like before 1840? Circle all that apply:
Māori iwi were organised into different groups
European settlers were trading with Māori
There were no people living in New Zealand
Missionaries were working in New Zealand
2. Fill in the blanks about New Zealand before the Treaty:
Before 1840, _____________ iwi were well organised across Aotearoa. European _____________ came to trade and some _____________ came to spread Christianity. These different groups had increasing _____________ with each other.
3. Why might different groups want to sign a treaty? Write your ideas:
🔍 Part 2: Exploring Different Perspectives
4. Match the groups with their possible motivations for signing the Treaty:
1. Māori chiefs
2. European settlers
3. Missionaries
A. Wanted legal protection and order
B. Wanted to protect their people and land
C. Wanted peace between different groups
5. What does "perspective" mean in history? Circle the best answer:
The way different people see and understand events
A type of painting
The date when something happened
A place where events occurred
6. Why is it important to understand different perspectives about the Treaty?
📜 Part 3: Primary Sources and Evidence
7. What is a primary source? Check all that apply:
A letter written by someone who was there
A diary entry from 1840
A textbook written in 2023
A speech given by a Māori chief in 1840
8. Imagine you found a letter from a European settler in 1839. What might they write about? List three things:
9. Complete this sentence about using primary sources:
Primary sources help historians understand the past because they show us _____________ and _____________ from people who actually _____________ the events.
🤝 Part 4: Empathy and Understanding
10. Put yourself in the shoes of a Māori chief in 1840. What might be your main concerns? Write from their perspective:
11. Now imagine you are a European settler. What might you hope the Treaty will achieve?
12. Draw a picture showing Māori and Europeans meeting to discuss the Treaty:
🔮 Part 5: Reflection and Next Steps
13. What is one important thing you learned about the context leading to the Treaty of Waitangi?
14. What question do you still have about why the Treaty was signed?
15. How do you think understanding this historical context will help you learn about the Treaty itself?
16. Rate your understanding of the historical context before the Treaty (circle one):
I understand it very well
I understand most of it
I understand some of it
I need more help to understand
