Key Stage 4: GCSE


Programme of Study GCSE

At Manor College of Technology, we follow the AQA Modern World History syllabus (Specification B). One compulsory controlled assessment (4 hours) accompanies the course thus allowing pupils to gain up to 25% prior to sitting the two examinations in their final year.

What is the content for each paper?

Paper One 1 hr 45 minutes
  International Relations 1900-1955
Paper Two 1 hr 45 minutes
  Germany 1918-1939
  The USA & Vietnam 1964-1975

Paper One - International Relations 1900-1955

TOPIC KEY ISSUE
Why were there two a. Tension in Europe, Triple Alliance, Entente
armed camps in Cordiale and Anglo-Russian Agreement. 
Europe in 1914? Britain's emergence from splendid isolation
   
  b. Kaiser Wilhelm II's aims in foreign policy:
  Weltpolitik; 'a place in the sun',attitude towards
  Great Britain; development of Navy.
   
  c. Moroccan Crises 1905 and 1911 and their
  effects on alliances.
   
  d. Bosnian Crisis 1908-09 and its effects on
  alliances.
   
  e. The Arms Race - military and naval: why did
  countries increase their armies?
   
Why did war break a. Aims of Austria-Hungary and Serbia in the
out in 1914? Balkans.
   
  b. Assassination at Sarajevo-the spark to world
  conflict.
   
  c. The events leading to war and the role of the
  alliances in 1914.
   
  d. The Schlieffen Plan and its effects on the
  outbreak of war including bringing Great Britain
  into war.
   
How did the Treaty a. The Paris Peace Conference: the aims of
of Versailles Clemenceau, Lloyd George and Woodrow
establish Wilson: the fourteen points.
peace?  
  b. Terms of the treaty making reference to Diktat,
  territory, military restrictions, war guilt and
  reparations.
   
  c. The strengths and weaknesses of the Treaty of
  Versailles: why Germany objected to it.
   
Why did the League a. Membership 1919-39: why and how it changed;
of Nations frequently implications for the League of Nations.
fail in its aim to  
keep peace? b. Organisation, powers and peace keeping role:
  the Assembly; the Council; the permanent Court
  of Justice; military and economic sanctions.
   
  c. Manchurian Crisis (1931-33): events, action
  taken by the League, effect on the League as a
  peace keeping force.
   
  d. Abyssinian Crisis (1935-36): events, action
  taken by the League, effect on the League as a
  peace keeping force.
   
  e. The reasons for the collapse of the League.
   

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Paper Two - Germany 1918-1939

Key ISSUE CONTENT FOCUS
How far do the early a. Origins of the Weimar Republic.
problems of the  
Weimar Republic b. Effects of the Treaty of Versailles.
suggest that it was  
doomed from the c. Problems of the Weimar Republic, 1918-24.
start?  
  d. Political weakness.
   
  e. Political challenges from the Spartacists, the
  Kapp Putsch and the Munich Putsch.
   
  f. The invasion of the Ruhr.
   
  g. Hyperinflation.
   
How far did the a. Recovery of the economy.
Weimar Republic  
recover under b. The Dawes and Young plans.
Stresemann?  
  c. The role of Stresemann.
   
  d. The inability of the Weimar Republic to cope
  with Depression.
   
How did the Nazi a. Early career of Hitler.
Party develop its  
ideas & organisation b. Founding of the Nazi Party.
up to 1929?  
  c. Munich Putsch.
   
  d. Mein Kampf.
   
  e. Decline in support in the Stresemann years.
   
How was Hitler able a. Growth in support for the Nazis, 1929-1933.
to become Chancellor  
in January 1933? b. Reasons for this increase in support.
   
  c. Elections of 1932.
   
  d. Invitation to lead a coalition government.
   
How did Hitler change a. Reichstag fire.
Germany from a  
democracy to a Nazi b. Election of March 1933.
dictatorship, 1933-34  
  c. Enabling Act.
   
  d. Elimination of Political opposition - political
  parties, Trade Unions.
   
  e. Night of the Long Knives
   
  f. Death of Hindenburg
   
  g. Hitler becomes Fuhrer
   
What were the main a. One party law and order.
features of  
totalitarian b. The SS and Gestapo.
dictatorship in Nazi  
Germany? c. Cultural, racial and religious persecution.
   
  d. Control of education, youth movements and the
  media.
   
  e. Censorship and propaganda.
   
To what extent did a. Economic policy.
the German people  
benefit from Nazi rule b. Increased employment through public works
in the 1930s? programmes, rearmament and conscription.
   
  c. Self-sufficiency.
   
  d. Effects of Nazi policies on people living in
  Germany.
   

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Paper Two - The USA & Vietnam 1964-1975

TOPIC KEY ISSUE
How effective were a. The theory of Guerilla warfare
guerilla tactics  
during the b. Guerilla tactics, 1964-1968
Vietnam War?  
  c. The US response to guerilla tactics: Operation
  Rolling Thunder 'Hearts & Minds'; Agent Orange
  and Napalm; Search and Destroy.
   
  d. The My Lai Massacre, 1968
   
How did the a. TV and media coverage of the war, from the
coverage of the Gulf of Tonkin to the evacuation of Saigon.
Vietnam War  
in the USA lead to b. Protest movements in the USA, 1968-1973.
demands for peace?  
  c. The public reaction to the My Lai Massacre, the
  trial of Lieutenant Calley.
   
  d. The Kent State University protest, 1970
   
  e. The Fulbright Hearings, 1971
   
Why were the US a. The Tet Offensive and its impact on the war,
actions to end the 1968.
Vietnam War  
unsuccessful? b. Attacks on Laos and Cambodia, 1970.
   
  c. US bombings of the North and attacks on Laos
  and Cambodia, 1970-1972.
   
  d. The Paris Peace Conference and US withdrawl
   
  e. The fall of Saigon.

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