History

Course Description

Within A Level History, you will learn about how revolutions have shaped the world we live in. Through studying English History, you will examine the reign of Charles I and how the breakdown in relations between the King and parliament led to the onset of the Civil War and Charles’ execution in 1649. You will also study England as a republic under Oliver Cromwell and how we ended up returning to a King with Charles II and the constitutional crisis that led to the Glorious Revolution and the formation of the system we have today. In your study of Russia in Revolution, you will discover how the system of Tsarist rule that had dominated Russia for over 400 years was brutally brought to an end. You will also explore the quest for equality in the USA, looking at the treatment of black Americans from the end of the Civil War to the inauguration of Barack Obama. These examined units are all assessed at the end of the two year course.

We also complete a piece of coursework, examining the debate around the extent to which Hitler planned the Holocaust. You will take on the role of the historian and examine how far you believe there was a plan or whether the chaotic system of government in the Third Reich and the chaos that war creates is actually the reason for one of the worst events in History.

You will learn how to write essays, and also work with historical sources throughout the course, there will be lots of discussion round the significance of historical events.