History

Course summary

In year 12, students will study two courses concurrently with two different teachers. They study the rise of Communism in Russia and the reasons for, and impact of, the February and November revolutions in Russia in 1917. Students look at the social, economic and political impact of the revolutions and the reasons why Russia was ripe for revolution and how Lenin exploited the impact of WWI and the Tsar’s inability to rule. Students also study the Early Tudor period looking at the victory at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 and how Henry Tudor secures his position on the throne and wins the War of the Roses. Students then go on to study the impact of Henry VIII and his reign and the reasons for the religious and political upheaval caused by his divorce. In year 13, students continue their studies sitting two exams at the end of Year 13 with each constituting 40% of their final mark. Students continue studying Russia under Stalin looking at the changes he makes in Russia and the impact of his economic and social policies on the people. We finish this unit by looking at the Soviet victory in WWII and the final years of Stalin and how secure Stalinism was upon his death in 1953. On the other side of the course continue their study of Henry’s 3 children and their reigns focusing much of the time on Elizabeth I and the Golden Age. This includes an analysis of her foreign policy relations with Spain and the New World and her religious policies and impacts on England. Students also study an NEA (Non-Examined Assessment). This involves a self-studied and self-researched historical investigation with students choosing and answering their own question over the course of Year 13 and submitting this prior to the exam. The NEA constitutes the final 20% of the student’s overall mark.