You will discover the past. You’ll also gain a deep knowledge of society, culture, economics and politics; master the valuable skill of persuasive, evidence based arguments in both class debate and written work; become a creative, independent thinker and learn how and why to question the world around you. You will also learn to appreciate that people in the past were not simply ‘good’ or ‘bad’, but motivated in complex and inconsistent ways; just like people today, just like you. YEAR 1 Paper 1: Britain, 1625-1701 Conflict, revolution and settlement One of the most turbulent eras of Britain’s past. Learn about fascinating economic and social change, religious tension, civil war and bloody revolution. How did a powerful Stuart King, convinced he was destined for power through the will of God, end up getting his head chopped off? Paper 2: Russia in Revolution, 1894-1924 Explore the captivating story of how the biggest country in the world went through three revolutions - one in 1905 and two in 1917 - transforming from a feudal society ruled by an all-powerful Tsar into the world’s first totalitarian, communist state. YEAR 2 Paper 3: Civil Rights and Race Relations in the USA 1850-2009 Discover the long history of the ongoing struggle of black Americans in the USA, from the end of slavery all the way to the present day. You will understand the complexity of race relations between black and white Americans, both in terms of civil rights and also broader social and cultural changes. Coursework: Did the Nazi regime have the support of the German people or were they terrorised into submission? How do you measure popularity in a state where there are no elections, no opinion polls and no freedom of speech? You’ll find out. This unit explores the great historical debate about one of the most infamous regimes of the 20th Century: Hitler’s Nazi state. Year 2 also includes more challenging versions of Papers 1 & 2.