History

Course summary

Unit 1: Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855-1964. This option allows students to study in breadth issues of change, continuity, cause and consequence in this period through the following key questions: • How was Russia governed and how did political authority change and develop? • Why did opposition develop and how effective was it? • How and with what results did the economy develop and change? • What was the extent of social and cultural change? • How important were ideas and ideology? • How important was the role of individuals and groups and how were they affected by developments? In Year 12, students will study the problems faced by Tsarist Russia and the explosive revolution of 1917. In Year 13, students will explore the consolidation of the Communist regime under Lenin and Stalin as well as the changes brought about by Stalin’s successor, Khrushchev. Unit 2: Wars and Welfare: Britain in transition, 1905-1957 This option provides for the study of a transformative period of British history, during which democratically elected government faced a series of challenges, both internally and externally, and British society underwent fundamental change. It develops concepts such as reform and retrenchment, patriotism and pacifism, social status and cultural values. It also encourages students to reflect on the process of economic and social change and the impact of that change for both governments and the people. In Year 12, students will look at issues such as the growth and decline of Liberalism, the impact of the First World War and the development of the media. Year 13 students will explore the Great Depression, Winston Churchill, the impact of the Second World War and the establishment of the welfare state. In Year 13, students also complete an historical investigation of no more than 3,500 words on Witchcraft.