Modern History

Content

Reform and reaction, 1855–1881

• The motives for the reforms of Alexander II, including the emancipation of the serfs
• The impact of Alexander II’s reforms on Russian society
• The extent of reaction before 1881
• The significance of opposition to the tsarist regime

Political reaction: social and economic change, 1881–1904

• The impact of industrialisation in Russia: the work of Vyshnedgradsky and Witte
• The problems of the rural economy
• The growth of internal opposition from liberals and revolutionaries, including the Social Democrats
• The personal rule of Nicholas II and its impact on Russia’s stability

Russia in Revolution, 1904–1906

• War with Japan and the causes of the 1905 Revolution
• The 1905 Revolutions: the part played by liberals, revolutionaries and nationalists
• The response of the Tsarist regime: the October Manifesto and the promise of reforms
• The response of the Tsarist regime: repression and the recovery of Tsarist Authority

The Tsarist Regime, 1906–1914

• The work of the Dumas
• The agrarian reforms under Prince Stolypin
• Economic development in Russia to 1914
• The condition of Russia in 1914

The First World War and the Revolutions of 1917

• The impact of the First World War: the collapse of Tsardom
• The February/March 1917 Revolution
• Russia and the provisional government and the October/ November Revolution

AQA HIST2H Unit 2: Britain 1902–1918: The Impact of New Liberalism

This unit provides the opportunity to investigate the impact of New Liberalism in both peace and war. Candidates will gain an understanding of the nature of New Liberalism, its promotion of social and constitutional reform and the challenges it faced in both peace and war. The period allows for the development of an understanding of the relationships between ideas, individuals and wider forces.

Content

Wider Historical Context

In order to judge the extent of change across the period, candidates will need to have a broad understanding of the state of Britain at the turn of the century and of the challenges she faced at this time as a result of the significant political, economic and social developments which had taken place in the second half of the nineteenth century. Some of these developments are significant in understanding the ideological and political reasons for the emergence of ‘New Liberalism’ with its emphasis on the role of the state in alleviating poverty and improving national efficiency. Candidates should also be aware of older Liberal principles including foreign policy traditions and the challenges faced in foreign policy at the turn of the century.

The Conservative Collapse, 1902–1906

• The impact of the Boer War; opposition to Conservative legislation and policies
• The impact of tariff reform and the disintegration of Balfour’s leadership
• The rise of Labour; the appeal of the Liberal Party and the Lib-Lab Pact
• The significance of New Liberalism; the impact of social reforms and the views of leading liberals

Liberals and Social and Constitutional Reform

• Policies and reforms directed to promote the welfare of children, workers and the elderly
• The People’s Budget
• Reaction of the Conservatives and the constitutional crisis of 1909–1911
• The Parliament Act of 1911

Challenges to Liberalism at home

• The struggle for votes for women and the Liberals’ response to women’s
  suffrage movements
• The Irish Question: the rise of Sinn Fein and changes in Irish nationalism; the response to Home Rule proposals in Ulster
• Attempts made by the Liberal government to respond to the Irish Question
• The Liberal Party’s response to the rise of the Labour Party
  

Challenges to Liberalism from abroad

• The aims of Grey’s foreign policy
• The response to the challenge from Germany and the formation of ententes
• Britain and the outbreak of the First World War

Liberalism and the First World War

• The impact of total war on Liberalism
• Asquith and Lloyd George as war leaders
• The impact of the war on society
• The state of Liberalism in 1918
  

Assessment

At the end of the year there will be two examinations, which will assess each of the modules which have been studied:

1. Tsarist Russia, 1855-1917
   Students will be required to answer two questions from a choice of 3 two-part questions.
   Time : 1 hour 15 min
   Weighting : 50% of the AS assessment.
2. Britain 1902-1918: The Impact of New Liberalism
   Students will be required to answer two questions, a compulsory source-based question with two parts and one two-part question from a choice of two.
   Time : 1 hour 30 min
   Weighting : 50% of the AS assessment

Conclusion

The AS is assessed at a standard appropriate for students who have completed the first year of a two-year Advanced course - that is at a standard between GCSE and Advanced level. It forms the first half of the Advanced GCE course in terms of teaching time and content. When combined with the second half of the Advanced GCE course, known as 'A2', the AS forms 50% of the assessment of the Advanced GCE. However, the AS can be taken as a 'stand alone' qualification.

Content

Victory and Crises: 1918–1931

• Lloyd George and post-war reconstruction: ‘homes fit for heroes’ industrial disputes; Ireland; scandals and the decline of the Liberal Party
• The First Labour Government 1924: aims, policies and problems
• Baldwin and the General Strike: economic policy and its impact; the causes, course and consequences of the General Strike
• Baldwin’s government, 1924–1929: aims, policies and problems
• The Second Labour Government, 1929–1931: aims, policies and problems
• Changes to the role of women and to social and cultural values as a result of the war
  

The National Government and inter-war changes, 1931–1939

• The economic crisis of 1929–1931 and the formation of a National Government
• The social and economic condition of Britain in the 1930s: the staple industries and the development of new industries; the social impact of the Depression in Britain
• Government policies: economic policy and its effectiveness; unemployment and the government response;
  policies in relation to housing and education; government response to political extremism
• The Abdication Crisis and its impact
• Changes to patterns of leisure; the growth and impact of mass communications
  

The impact of war and post-war reconstruction, 1939–1951

• Churchill’s coalition government; labour mobilisation and the conduct of ‘total war’
• Planning for the future: the Beveridge Report
• The General Election of 1945
• Post-war economic problems and policies; the crisis of 1947 and the importance of aid from the United States; shortages and rationing
• Nationalisation of key industries
• The creation of the Welfare State; education and social policies

Conservative ascendancy: 1951–1964

• The election of 1951 and the reason for Conservative victory
• From rationing to consumerism: economic recovery and the impact of growing affluence; Britain’s
  application to join the EEC; the economic problems of the early 1960s
• Policies in relation to education, housing, social welfare
• The development of the political parties; consensus politics

Assessment

At the end of the year there will be an examination:
Students will be required to answer two essay questions from a choice of three.
Time:1 hour 30 minutes
Weighting : 30% of the total A Level marks