A Level History WJEC
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180 topics in 34 modules
☑️ Changing Leadership and Society in Germany (Part 2: 1871-1989) 7 topics
- Change and Continuity in the Leadership of Imperial Germany (1871-1918)
- The Impact of Political Change in Germany (1918-1945)
- The Significance of Political Change and Leadership in Germany (1945-1989)
- Change and Continuity in German Society and Economy (1871-1918)
- The Impact of Social and Economic Change in Germany (1918-1945)
- The Significance of Social and Economic Change in Germany (1945-1989)
- Similarity and Difference (1871-1989)
☑️ Changing Leadership and Society in Russia (1881-1989) 6 topics
- Change and Continuity in Russia (1881-1917)
- The Consequences of Revolution (1917-1953)
- Changing Regimes from Stalinism to Gorbachev
- Change and Continuity in Russia (1881-1924)
- The Impact of Stalin's Economic and Social Policies
- Similarity and Difference (1881-1989)
☑️ Europe in an Age of Conflict and Co-Operation (1890-1991) 5 topics
- The Significance of the Main Changes in International Relations (1890-1939)
- The Extent of Political, Social and Economic Change in Italy (1918-1945)
- The Extent of Political, Social and Economic Change in Germany (1918-1945)
- The Impact of Revolution in Russia (1905-1945)
- The Significance of Changing Relations in Europe (1945-1991)
☑️ Europe in the Age of Absolutism and Revolution (1682-1815) 5 topics
- The Significance of the Main Developments in Russia under Peter the Great
- The Significance of the Main Changes in Prussia under Frederick the Great
- The Extent of Change in France to 1789
- The Extent of Change in the Great Power Relations up to 1756
- The Significance of Diplomacy and Conflict in Europe (1756-1815)
☑️ France: Ancien Regime to Napoleon (1715-1815) 7 topics
- Change and Continuity in Ancien Regime France (1715-1789)
- The Impact of the Revolution (1789-1799)
- The Significance of Napoleon (1799-1815)
- The Nature of Absolute Government in France
- The Significance of Revolution in France
- The Impact of Imperial Rule on France
- Similarity and Difference (1715-1815)
☑️ France in Revolution (Part 1: 1774-1792) 5 topics
- Strengths and Weaknesses of Ancien Regime France
- The Significance of the King's Reform Programme in the 1770s and 1780s
- The Extent and Impact of Revolutionary Changes
- The Impact of War and Internal Conflict
- Historical Interpretations of Key Issues from this Period
☑️ France in Revolution (Part 2: 1792-1815) 4 topics
- Further Developments Following the Overthrow of the Monarchy
- The Reasons for and Impact of the Terror (1793-1794)
- The Significance of Political Change from Terror to the Consulate
- The Impact of Napoleon as Emperor
☑️ Germany: Democracy and Dictatorship (Part 1: 1918-1933) 5 topics
- The Challenges Facing the Weimar Republic (1918-1923)
- The Extent of Change in Foreign and Economic Policy (1924-1933)
- The Changing Fortunes of the Nazi Party (1924-1933)
- The Crisis of the Weimar Republic (1929-1933)
- Historical Interpretations of Key Issues from this Period
☑️ Germany: Democracy and Dictatorship (Part 2: 1933-1945) 4 topics
- Further Developments in the Nazi Control of Germany After 1933
- The Impact of Nazi Racial, Social and Religious Policies (1933-1945)
- The Effectiveness of Nazi Economic Policy (1933-1945)
- Changing Nazi Foreign Policy the Second World War (1933-1945)
☑️ Government, Rebellion and Society in Wales and England (1485-1603) 5 topics
- The Significance of the Main Changes in Politics and Government (1485-1603)
- The Significance of the Main Developments in Religion (1529-1588)
- The Significance of the Main Protests and Rebellions against the Tudor Monarchs (1509-1569)
- The Extent of Social and Economic Change in the Sixteenth Century
- The Changing Relationship between Wales and England after 1530
☑️ Government, Revolution and Society in Wales and England (1603-1715) 5 topics
- The Significance of the Main Challenges Facing the Stuart Monarchy (1603-1649)
- The Impact of Civil War on the Nation (1640-1649)
- The Impact of Experiments in Parliamentary Government (1649-1660)
- Changing Pressures after Restoration (1660-1685)
- The Significance of the Glorious Revolution and the Revolutionary Settlement
☑️ Parliamentary Reform and Protest in Wales and England (1780-1885) 7 topics
- Changes and Parliamentary Reform (1780-1830)
- The Causes and Consequences of Parliamentary Reform (1830-1867)
- The Significance of Parliamentary Reform (1867-1885)
- The Growth of Popular Protest (1780-1822)
- The Causes and Consequences of Popular Protest (1822-1848)
- The Significance of Popular Protest in the Mid Victorian Period (1848-1885)
- Similarity and Difference (1780-1885)
☑️ Political and Religious Change in Europe (1500-1598) 5 topics
- The Significance of the Main Influences on Europe in the Early Sixteenth Century
- The Impact of Religious Change (1517-1564)
- The Impact of the Main Challenges Facing France in the Mid-Sixteenth Century
- The Impact of the Main Challenges Facing Spain to 1598
- The Extent of the Threat Posed by the Ottoman Empire in the Sixteenth Century
☑️ Politics and Society in Wales and England (Part 1: 1900-1918) 5 topics
- The Extent of Social Change
- The Significance of Economic Change and Conflict
- The Significance of Political Change
- The Impact of War
- Historical Interpretations of Key Issues from this Period
☑️ Politics and Society in Wales and England (Part 2: 1918-1939) 4 topics
- Further Social and Economic Changes in Wales and England after 1918
- Causes and Consequences of the Depression
- Political Change and its Challenges
- Social, Cultural and Leisure Developments
☑️ Politics, People and Progress: Wales and England (1880-1980) 5 topics
- The Extent of Change in Society (1880-1951)
- The Changing Position of Political Parties (1880-1951)
- The Impact of War on Society in Wales and England (1902-1951)
- The Significance of the Main Developments in Wales and England (1918-1980)
- The Changing Role and Status of Women (1880-1980)
☑️ Politics, Protest and Reform in Wales and England (1780-1880) 5 topics
- The Growing Pressure for Parliamentary Reform (1780-1832)
- The Changing Response of the Government to Political and Social Pressures (1812-1830)
- The Significance of the Threat from Rural and Urban Protest (1830-1848)
- The Extent and Impact of Social and Economic Reforms (1830-1848)
- The Changing Fortunes of Political Parties and Leaders (1830-1880)
☑️ Poverty, Protest and Rebellion in Wales and England (1485-1603) 7 topics
- The General Reasons for the Growth of Poverty and Vagrancy
- The Effectiveness of the Treatment and Relief of Poverty
- Changing Official Attitudes to Poverty and Vagrancy
- The Effectiveness of the Tudor Consolidation of Power
- The Impact of the Threats in the 1540s and 1550s
- Increasing Pressure Later in the Century
- Similarity and Difference (1485-1603)
☑️ Reform and Protest in Wales and England (Part 1: 1783-1832) 5 topics
- The Impact of the Challenge from Reform and Protest Movements (1783-1822)
- The Reaction of Government to the Challenge of Protest (1812-1822)
- The Significance of the Liberal Tory Reforms (1822-1829)
- The Growing Crises in Reform and Protest (1828-1832)
- Historical Interpretations of Key Issues from this Period
☑️ Reform and Protest in Wales and England (Part 2: 1832-1848) 4 topics
- Further Developments in Urban and Rural Protest (1832-1848)
- The Transformation and Fortunes of the Conservative Party (1834-1846)
- The Significance of the Whig Governments and their Reforms (1833-1841)
- The Causes and Impact of Social Reform (1833-1848)
☑️ Reformation and Discovery: Europe (1482-1610) 7 topics
- The Significance of Early Challenges to Catholic Church
- The Extent of the Spread and Dissemination of the Reformation
- The Growth of Counter-Reformation and Conflict
- The Motives for Exploration and Discovery
- The Nature and Extent of Attempts at Discovery and Exploration
- The Impact of Increasing Discoveries and Exploration
- Similarity and Difference (1492-1610)
☑️ Religious Reformation in Europe (Part 1: 1500-1531) 5 topics
- The Influence of the Church in the Early Sixteenth Century
- Reasons for the Outbreak of the Reformation
- The Significance of the Outbreak of the Reformation
- The Reaction to the Spread of the Reformation
- Historical Interpretation of Key Issues from this Period
☑️ Revolution and New Ideas in Europe (1780-1881) 5 topics
- The Impact of War and Revolution (1780-1856)
- The Growth of Nationalism in Italy (1815-1871)
- The Growth of Nationalism in Germany (1815-1871)
- The Significance of the Main Challenges Facing France (1848-1871)
- The Extent of Political and Social Change in Russia (1825-1881)
☑️ Royalty, Rebellion and Republic (1642-1660) 4 topics
- The Further Development of Civil War
- The Impact of the Growth of Ideas and Dissent during the Civil War
- The Significance of the End of the Monarchy and New Experiments in Government
- The Significance of the Restoration of the Monarchy
☑️ Royalty, Rebellion and Republic (Part 1: 1625-1642) 5 topics
- The Significance of Early Disputes between King and Parliament to 1629
- The Impact of Personal Rule after 1629
- The Growth of Tension and Pressure in the Early 1640s
- The Impact of Growing Pressure on Wales, Scotland and Ireland
- Historical Interpretations of Key Issues from this Period
☑️ Royalty, Revolution and Restoration in Wales and England (1603-1715) 7 topics
- Increasing Tension on the Stuart Monarchs
- The Impacts of the Civil War on the Governance of the Country
- The Impact of Further Developments in Government after 1688
- Increasing Pressure on Established Religion
- The Growth and Impact of Radicalism
- The Impact of Developments in Science and Enlightenment
- Similarity and Difference (1603-1715)
☑️ Social Change and Reform in Wales and England (1890-1990) 7 topics
- Change and Continuity before the First World War
- The Impact of the Economic Crises (1918-1939)
- Consensus and Challenge (1945-1990)
- Change and Continuity in Education, Health and Welfare to 1945
- The Impact of the Second World War on British Society
- The Significance of Social and Cultural Change
- Similarity and Difference (1890-1990)
☑️ The American Century (1890-1990) 7 topics
- The Development of Changing Attitudes towards Civil Rights (1890-1945)
- Changing Developments in the Demand for Civil Rights (1945-1968)
- The Consequences of the Civil Rights Movement (1968-1990)
- Change and Continuity in US Foreign Policy (1890-1941)
- The Impact of US Involvement in the Second World War and the Cold War (1941-1975)
- The Significance of Detente and the End of the Cold War (1975-1990)
- Similarity and Difference (1890-1990)
☑️ The Crisis of the American Republic (Part 1: 1840-1861) 5 topics
- The Significance of Slavery and Western Expansion
- The Significance of the Attempts at Compromise (1850-1854)
- The Impact of Political Breakdown (1854-1859)
- The Reasons for the Outbreak of Civil War (1859-1861)
- Historical Interpretations of Key Issues from this Period
☑️ The Crisis of the American Republic (Part 2: 1861-1877) 4 topics
- The Further Development of the American Civil War (1861-1865)
- The Significance of the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865)
- Changing Attitudes to Emancipation and Reconstruction (1863-1867)
- The Impact of Reconstruction (1868-1877)
☑️ The Mid Tudor Crisis in Wales and England (Part 1: 1529-1553) 5 topics
- The Extent of Change in the Control of Wales
- The Reasons for and Impact of Religious Change
- The Impact of Political Changes
- The Significance of the Threat from Protest and Disorder
- Historical Interpretations of Key Issues from this Period
☑️ The Mid Tudor Crisis in Wales and England (Part 2: 1553-1570) 4 topics
- Further Developments in the Society and the Economy of Wales and England (1554-1570)
- The Significance of the Pressures on Mary Tudor
- The Impact of Church Settlement and the Growth of Puritanism
- The Extent of the Catholic Threat up to 1570
☑️ The Religious Reformation in Europe (Part 2: 1531-1564) 4 topics
- Further Geographical and Social Expansion of Lutheranism after 1531
- The Ideas and Influence of Calvin
- The Growth of Counter-Reformation
- The Significance of the Reforming Religious Orders
☑️ Wales: Resistance, Conquest and Rebellion (1240-1415) 6 topics
- Change and Continuity in the Wales of the Princes (1240-1282)
- The Significance of Social, Cultural and Economic Change
- Change and Continuity in the Governance of Wales (1240-1282)
- The Impact of the Edwardian Conquest
- The Extent of Resistance and Rebellion (1294-1415)
- Similarity and Difference (1240-1415)
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A Level History WJEC Revision Content
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A Level History WJEC - Changing Leadership and Society in Germany (Part 2: 1871-1989) - Change and Continuity in the Leadership of Imperial Germany (1871-1918) Content Preview
Changing Leadership and Society in Germany (Part 2: 1871-1989)
Change and Continuity in the Leadership of Imperial Germany (1871-1918)
Leadership and Power in Imperial Germany (1871-1918)
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Otto von Bismarck was a leading figure in early Imperial Germany, serving as Chancellor from 1871 until his dismissal in 1890. Known as the
Iron Chancellor
, he was renowned for his skill in balancing power dynamics and maintaining Germany's position in Europe. -
Bismarck's dismissal in 1890 marked a significant change in power dynamics in Imperial Germany. This occurred under the rule of Kaiser Wilhelm II, who assumed full sovereignty and pursued a more personal and militaristic rule.
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Wilhelm's rule was marked by a policy of 'Weltpolitik', or 'world politics', representing Germany's pursuit of an active colonial role and increased influence on the world stage. This policy heightened international tensions and played a role in the lead-up to WW1.
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Despite changes in leadership and policy, Imperial Germany retained its monarchical system throughout this period, with the Kaiser exercising significant authority over domestic and foreign policy.
Society and Social Change in Imperial Germany (1871-1918)
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There was considerable economic growth and industrialisation during this period - Known as 'Gründerzeit' or the founders' period. It led to a rise in the wealthy bourgeoisie class, but also significant social disparity and poor working conditions for the growing industrial proletariat.
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In response to this industrial discontent, Bismarck implemented the Anti-Socialist Laws (1878-1890) to suppress movements deemed subversive to the state. However, this did not stop the growth of Socialist sentiments.
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Bismarck's 'social insurance' programs, introduced between 1883-1889, served both to ease working class discontent and to encourage loyalty to the state. Initiatives included sickness and accident insurance, and an old-age pension scheme.
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Despite these changes, social hierarchies and class divisions remained entrenched in Imperial Germany, with the Junker class (prussian aristocracy) maintaining significant political influence and the working class widely marginalised.
Political Developments and the Shift towards Authoritarianism (1871-1918)
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The political system of Imperial Germany was known as the 'Kaiserreich' and while it provided some mechanisms for democratic representation, power was largely controlled by the Kaiser and the upper classes.
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The rise of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in 1890, despite Bismarck's Anti-Socialist Laws, demonstrated the growing political consciousness of the working class and a shift towards more democratic sentiments.
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The move towards militarism under Wilhelm II particularly the 'Flottenpolitik' (naval expansion) and the pursuit of Weltpolitik led to increased authoritarianism and heightened political tensions domestically and internationally.
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The progression towards WW1 and Germany's subsequent defeat in 1918 provoked a major political shift, resulting in the end of the monarchical system and the establishment of the Weimar Republic.
Question: How did the policy of 'Weltpolitik' under Kaiser Wilhelm II contribute to international tensions leading towards the First World War?
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