A Level History encompasses a comprehensive study of significant transformations in Britain and the USA during the twentieth century. Students will explore the political, social, economic, and cultural changes in Britain from 1918 to 1979. This thematic approach examines responses to wartime challenges, economic fluctuations, technological advancements, and the pursuit of social equality, providing a broad understanding of the era's developments. The course also offers an in-depth analysis of the USA from 1955 to 1992, focusing on post-World War II affluence, the civil rights movements, and the rise of right-wing political groups. Additionally, the curriculum includes a critical examination of the witch craze that swept through Europe and America delving into the social, economic, and political dimensions of witch hunts, as well as the intellectual shifts that contributed to the decline of such phenomena. Through critical analysis and in-depth research, students will develop the ability to interpret historical evidence, construct well-supported arguments, evaluate historical interpretations and engage with complex narratives. COURSE CONTENT: Unit 1 - Breadth study with interpretations. Option 1H: Britain Transformed, 1918-97 This option comprises a study in breadth, in which students will learn about the extent to which Britain was transformed politically, socially, economically and culturally in the years 1918–79. Students will consider responses to the challenges of war, fluctuations in the economy, technological advancement and the desire for greater social equality. The focus of study is on developments and changes over a broad timescale and so the content is presented as themes spanning the years 1918–79. Theme 1 - A changing political and economic environment Theme 2 - Creating a welfare state Theme 3 - Society in transition Theme 4 - The changing quality of life This option also contains a study in depth of historical interpretations on a broad question: what impact did Thatcher’s governments have on Britain, 1979–97? Unit 2 - Depth study with sources. Option 2H. 2: The USA, 1955-92: conformity and challenge This option comprises a study in depth of the USA in the years 1955–92, from post-1945 affluence, through racial and political protests in the 1960s, to the rise of right-wing groups in the 1980s and the development of bitter divisions between Democrats and Republicans. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges posed to the American political system by popular protests and different styles of leadership, and the effects on society of widespread economic, social and cultural change. The unit comprises of the following key topics: · Affluence and conformity, 1955–63 · Protest and reaction, 1963–72 · Social and political change, 1973–80 · Republican dominance and its opponents, 1981–92 Unit 3 - Themes in breadth with aspects in depth. Option 33: The witch craze in Britain, Europe and North America, c1580-c1750 This option comprises two parts: the Aspects in Breadth focus on long-term changes and contextualise the Aspects in Depth, which focus in detail on key episodes. Together, the breadth and depth topics explore the nature of the witch craze that took hold in the late sixteenth century and the changing attitudes to magic and sorcery that eventually contributed to its decline. Together, students will study the social, economic, political and dimensions of the phenomenon, and the broad intellectual changes that ushered in what is often called the Age of Reason. Aspects in Breadth: Challenges to the Witch Craze, c1580–c1750 Theme 1 - Changing attitudes to witchcraft in Britain Theme 2 - The wider intellectual context: the coming of the age of science and reason Aspects in depth: Persecuting Witches · The North Berwick witches in Scotland, 1590–91 and the aftermath to 1597 · The Lancashire witches of 1604–13 · The Great Witch Hunt, in Bamberg, Germany, 1623–32 · Matthew Hopkins and the East Anglian witch craze, 1645–47 · Cotton Mather and the Salem witch hunt, 1692–93