A Level (A2 History)

Welcome Year 13!!

A2 Unit F966: Historical Themes

• The Historical Themes unit is a part of the specification that seeks to develop an understanding of connections between different elements of the subject and for candidates to draw together knowledge, understanding and skills of diverse issues centred upon a common theme.

• The topics are based on Themes covering an extended period of approximately one hundred years with an emphasis on continuity, development and change appropriate to the topic.

• The emphasis is on developing and interpreting a broad overview of the period studied. The modules are historical perspectives, so concern is focused on making links and comparisons between different aspects of the topics studied and of testing hypotheses before reaching a judgement.

• Assessment is not by a traditional outlines paper so there is no requirement for detailed depth of knowledge. Rather, candidates are required to show breadth of historical understanding supported with appropriate factual material and illustrations.

• The three essays set on every theme will test a part of a different Topic Area, but some may draw on more than one Topic Area (thus parts of at least two Topic Areas for each theme are tested in every question paper). Candidates may answer any two questions in two hours.

• 30% of the total Advanced GCE marks 2h written paper 120 marks

• The question paper for each option contains 3 essay questions for each Study Topic. Candidates answer 2 questions, either two questions from one Study Topic or one question from 2 Study

Topics. Each question is worth a maximum of 60 marks.

Unit F966 Theme 4: Russia and its

Rulers 1855–1964

• This theme focuses on the nature of Russian government and its impact on the Russian people and society. Candidates should understand the similarities and differences between the autocratic rule of the tsars to 1917 and the subsequent Communist dictatorship but are not expected to have a detailed knowledge of the events of 1917.

• Candidates are not expected to demonstrate a detailed understanding of the specification content but are expected to know the main developments and turning points relevant to the theme.

Content • Russian Rulers: similarities and differences in the main domestic

policies of Alexander II, Alexander III, Nicholas II, the Provisional Government, Lenin, Stalin, Khrushchev.

• The nature of government: autocracy, dictatorship and totalitarianism; change and continuity in central administration; methods of repression and enforcement; the extent and impact of reform; the extent and effectiveness of opposition both before and after 1917.

• The impact of the dictatorial regimes on the economy and society of the Russian Empire and the USSR: changes to living and working conditions of urban and rural people; limitations on personal, political and religious freedom; extent of economic and social changes.

• Impact of war and revolution on the development of Russian government: the effects of the Crimean War, the Japanese War, 1905 Revolution, 1917 Revolutions, World War One, World War Two, the Cold War.

What can you remember from last year?

• Have you forgotten how to create an essay?

• On the next slide are 3 questions from a past paper. You need to choose one of the 3 and create a plan for your answer. You must also include a full introduction and sentence starters.

Peace and War: International Relations 1890-1945

• To what extent was Germany to blame for the outbreak of the First World War in 1914? [50]

• Assess the reasons why there were no major international conflicts during the 1920s. [50]

• How far was British foreign policy to blame for the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939? (50)