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iGCSE History CAIE

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Content Overview

333 topics in 12 modules

  1. ☑️ China, c.1930–c.1990 26 topics
    • Why did the Communists undertake the Long March in 1934?
    • What was the importance of the Communist settlement at Yenan?
    • How far did the Second World War weaken the Nationalist government?
    • Why was there a civil war and why did the Communists win it?
    • What changes in agriculture did Communist rule bring?
    • What was the impact of the Communists' social reforms?
    • How successful were the Five-Year Plans in increasing production?
    • Did the Chinese people benefit from Communist rule?
    • What have been China's changing relationships with neighbouring states?
    • Why did China try to improve relations with the USA after 1970?
    • How far was China established as a superpower by the time of Mao's death?
    • How far have China's relations with other powers improved since Mao's death?
    • Why did Mao launch the Cultural Revolution?
    • What was the impact of the Cultural Revolution in China?
    • How was the issue of leadership after the death of Mao resolved?
    • How far did the economic development of the 1980s accompany social and political change?
    • Kuomintang and Communist Conflict
    • The Nature of Chinese Communism
    • Communist Rule in the 1950s and 1960s
    • Industrial Developments
    • Social Change
    • China's Relations with Other Countries/Regions
    • Closer Relations with the USA from 1970
    • Hong Kong
    • Impact of China's Relations with the Rest of the World on its Economic Liberalisation since 1976
    • The Communist Party Dictatorship
  2. ☑️ Core Content: Option A 46 topics
    • Core A: Why were there so many revolutions in 1848?
    • Core A: Did the revolutions have anything in common?
    • Core A: Why did most of the revolutions fail?
    • Core A: Did the revolutions change anything?
    • Core A: The Nature of Revolutions in 1848, and the Influence of Liberalism and Nationalism
    • Core A: Causes and Events of Revolutions in France, Italy, Germany and the Austrian Empire
    • Core A: Reasons for the Failure of the Revolutions
    • Core A: Why was Italy not unified in 1848–49?
    • Core A: How important was Garibaldi's contribution to unifying Italy?
    • Core A: Did Cavour help or hinder the unification of Italy?
    • Core A: How important for other European countries were moves towards Italian unification?
    • Core A: Austrian Influence over Italy
    • Core A: Italian Nationalism and the Role of Mazzini
    • Core A: Events of 1848–49
    • Core A: Victor Emmanuel II and Cavour: Plombières, War with Austria in 1859
    • Core A: Garibaldi and the Invasion of Sicily and Naples
    • Core A: The Creation of the Kingdom of Italy, Completion of Unification by 1870
    • Core A: Why was Germany not unified in 1848–50?
    • Core A: How did Bismarck bring about Austria's defeat of 1866?
    • Core A: How did Bismarck bring about France's defeat of 1870?
    • Core A: How far was Bismarck responsible for the unification of Germany?
    • Core A: German Nationalism
    • Core A: The Zollverein
    • Core A: The 1848 Revolution in Prussia
    • Core A: The Setting Up and Eventual Failure of the Frankfurt Parliament
    • Core A: Re-establishment of Austrian Influence in Germany by 1850
    • Core A: Bismarck as Prussian Minister–President
    • Core A: Bismarck's Foreign Policy to 1871
    • Core A: How far did slavery cause the Civil War?
    • Core A: What was the significance of Lincoln's election as president?
    • Core A: Why was the North able to win the war?
    • Core A: Did the war change anything?
    • Core A: Causes and consequences of the American Civil War, 1820–77
    • Core A: What were the motives behind European imperialism?
    • Core A: How varied were the impacts of European imperialism on Africans?
    • Core A: Why, and with what effects, did Indians resist British rule?
    • Core A: Why, and with what effects, did the Chinese resist European influence?
    • Core A: Reasons for imperialism: economic, military, geopolitical, religious and cultural motives
    • Core A: Europeans in Africa: case studies of French, British and Belgian imperialism
    • Core A: The British in India: the Mutiny, and changes it brought to British rule
    • Core A: Europeans and China: the Opium Wars, the Boxer Rising and their results
    • Core A: Did the Alliance System make war more likely or less likely?
    • Core A: How far did colonial problems create tensions between the Great Powers?
    • Core A: Why were problems in the Balkans so difficult for the Great Powers to solve?
    • Core A: How did the assassination of Franz Ferdinand lead to war?
    • Core A: The origins of the First World War, 1890–1914
  3. ☑️ Core Content: Option B 48 topics
    • Core B: What were the motives and aims of the Big Three at Versailles?
    • Core B: Why did all the victors not get everything they wanted?
    • Core B: What was the impact of the peace treaty on Germany up to 1923?
    • Core B: Could the treaties be justified at the time?
    • Core B: The Peace Treaties of 1919–23
    • Core B: How successful was the League in the 1920s?
    • Core B: How far did weaknesses in the League's organisation make failure inevitable?
    • Core B: How far did the Depression make the work of the League more difficult?
    • Core B: How successful was the League in the 1930s?
    • Core B: The League of Nations
    • Core B: What were the long-term consequences of the peace treaties of 1919–23?
    • Core B: What were the consequences of the failures of the League in the 1930s?
    • Core B: How far was Hitler's foreign policy to blame for the outbreak of war in 1939?
    • Core B: Was the policy of appeasement justified?
    • Core B: How important was the Nazi–Soviet Pact?
    • Core B: Why did Britain and France declare war on Germany in September 1939?
    • Core B: The Collapse of International Order in the 1930s
    • Core B: The Increasing Militarism of Germany, Italy and Japan
    • Core B: Hitler's Foreign Policy to 1939
    • Core B: Why did the US–Soviet alliance begin to break down in 1945?
    • Core B: How had the USSR gained control of Eastern Europe by 1948?
    • Core B: How did the United States react to Soviet expansionism?
    • Core B: What were the consequences of the Berlin Blockade?
    • Core B: Who was the more to blame for starting the Cold War: the United States or the USSR?
    • Core B: The Origins of the Cold War
    • Core B: The United States and Events in Korea, 1950–53
    • Core B: The United States and Events in Cuba, 1959–62
    • Core B: American Involvement in Vietnam
    • Core B: Events of the Cold War
    • Core B: American Reactions to the Cuban Revolution
    • Core B: American Involvement in the Vietnam War
    • Core B: American Reactions to North Korea's Invasion of South Korea
    • Core B: Why was there opposition to Soviet control in Hungary in 1956 and Czechoslovakia in 1968, and how did the USSR react to this opposition?
    • Core B: How similar were events in Hungary in 1956 and in Czechoslovakia in 1968?
    • Core B: Why was the Berlin Wall built in 1961?
    • Core B: What was the significance of 'Solidarity' in Poland for the decline of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe?
    • Core B: How far was Gorbachev personally responsible for the collapse of Soviet control over Eastern Europe?
    • Core B: Soviet Power in Eastern Europe
    • Core B: Why was Saddam Hussein able to come to power in Iraq?
    • Core B: What was the nature of Saddam Hussein's rule in Iraq?
    • Core B: Why was there a revolution in Iran in 1979?
    • Core B: What were the causes and consequences of the Iran–Iraq War, 1980–88?
    • Core B: Why did the First Gulf War take place?
    • Core B: The Rise to Power of Saddam Hussein in Iraq
    • Core B: The Rule of Saddam Hussein up to 2000
    • Core B: The Nature of the Shah's Rule in Iran and the Iranian Revolution of 1979
    • Core B: The Causes and Consequences of the Iran–Iraq War, 1980–88
    • Core B: The Causes, Course and Consequences of the Gulf War, 1990–91
  4. ☑️ Germany, 1918–45 29 topics
    • How did Germany emerge from defeat at the end of the First World War?
    • What was the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on the Republic?
    • To what extent did the Republic recover after 1923?
    • What were the achievements of the Weimar period?
    • What did the Nazi Party stand for in the 1920s?
    • Why did the Nazis have little success before 1930?
    • Why was Hitler able to become Chancellor by 1933?
    • How did Hitler consolidate his power in 1933–34?
    • How much opposition was there to the Nazi regime?
    • How effectively did the Nazis deal with their political opponents?
    • How did the Nazis use culture and the mass media to control the people?
    • Why did the Nazis persecute many groups in German society?
    • Was Nazi Germany a totalitarian state?
    • How did young people react to the Nazi regime?
    • How successful were Nazi policies towards women and the family?
    • Did most people in Germany benefit from Nazi rule?
    • How did the coming of war change life in Nazi Germany?
    • The Revolution of 1918 and the Establishment of the Republic
    • The Versailles Settlement and German Reactions to it
    • The Weimar Constitution, the Main Political Divisions, the Role of the Army
    • Political Disorder, 1919–23
    • The Stresemann Era
    • Cultural Achievements of the Weimar Period
    • The Early Years of the Nazi Party
    • The Impact of the Depression on Germany
    • Nazi Rule in Germany
    • Economic Policy Including Re-armament
    • Different Experiences of Nazi rule
    • Impact of the Second World War on Germany
  5. ☑️ Israelis and Palestinians Since 1945 23 topics
    • What was the significance for Palestine of the end of the Second World War?
    • What were the causes of conflict between Jews and Arabs in Palestine?
    • Why did the Arabs reject United Nations plans to partition Palestine?
    • Why was Israel able to win the war of 1948–49?
    • Why was Israel able to win the wars of 1956, 1967 and 1973?
    • How significant was superpower involvement in Arab–Israeli conflicts?
    • How important was oil in changing the nature of the Arab–Israeli conflict?
    • By the 1990s, how far had problems which existed between Israel and her neighbours been resolved?
    • Why were there so many Palestinian refugees?
    • How effective was the PLO in promoting the Palestinian cause?
    • Why did Arab states not always support the Palestinian cause?
    • How did international perceptions of the Palestinian cause change over time?
    • Why has the United Nations been unable to secure a lasting peace?
    • How far have international diplomatic negotiations improved Israel's relations with Arab states and the Palestinians?
    • How have divisions within Israel affected the peace process?
    • How have rivalries among Palestinians affected progress towards a settlement?
    • The Arab and Jewish People of Palestine
    • The Aftermath of the Second World War
    • The Suez War, Six-Day War, Yom Kippur War
    • The Palestinians to c.1992
    • Moves Towards Peace
    • Divisions that Restricted Progress Towards Peace
    • Rivalries among Palestinians
  6. ☑️ Korean War 10 topics
    • Background and Causes of the Korean War: division of Korea, ideological differences and international tensions
    • Role of the Superpowers: Involvement of the United States, Soviet Union and China
    • The Escalation of the War: Invasion of South Korea by the North, UN intervention and China's entry into the war
    • Major Battles and Tactical Developments: Battle of Inchon, Battle of Chosin Reservoir, and advancements in warfare technology
    • The Impact of the War on Korea: Human, economic and socio-political consequences
    • Stalemate and Negotiations: Military stalemate, peace talks and signing of armistice
    • Aftermath of the War: Establishment of the Demilitarized Zone and its implications
    • Assessment of Leadership during the War: Role of Kim Il-sung, Syngman Rhee, Douglas MacArthur and other key figures
    • Containment Policy and Domino Theory: Influence and effectiveness of these concepts during the war
    • The Korean War in Global Context: Implications for Cold War dynamics and changes in international relations
  7. ☑️ Russia, 1905–41 30 topics
    • How well did the Tsarist regime deal with the difficulties of ruling Russia up to 1914?
    • How did the Tsar survive the 1905 Revolution?
    • How far was the Tsar weakened by the First World War?
    • Why was the revolution of March 1917 successful?
    • How effectively did the Provisional Government rule Russia in 1917?
    • Why were the Bolsheviks able to seize power in November 1917?
    • Why did the Bolsheviks win the Civil War?
    • How far was the New Economic Policy a success?
    • Why did Stalin, and not Trotsky, emerge as Lenin's successor?
    • Why did Stalin launch the Purges?
    • What methods did Stalin use to control the Soviet Union?
    • How complete was Stalin's control over the Soviet Union by 1941?
    • Why did Stalin introduce the Five-Year Plans?
    • Why did Stalin introduce collectivisation?
    • How successful were Stalin's economic changes?
    • How were the Soviet people affected by these changes?
    • The Main Features of Tsarist Rule and Russian Society Before the First World War
    • The First World War and its Impact on the Russian People
    • The March Revolution of 1917
    • The Provisional Government and the Soviets, the Growing Power of Revolutionary Groups
    • Reasons for the Failure of the Provisional Government
    • The Bolshevik Seizure of Power, the Role of Lenin
    • The Main Features of Bolshevik Rule and the Civil War and War Communism
    • Reasons for the Bolshevik Victory
    • The Kronstadt Rising and the Establishment of the New Economic Policy
    • Lenin's Death and the Struggle for Power
    • Reasons for Stalin's Emergence as Leader by 1928
    • Stalin's Dictatorship
    • Stalin's Economic Policies and their Impact
    • Life in the Soviet Union
  8. ☑️ South Africa, c.1940–c.1994 37 topics
    • How far had segregation been established by 1940?
    • What was the impact of government policies on the non-white population by 1940?
    • How successful was the economic development of South Africa by 1945?
    • Why did the National Party win the election of 1948?
    • What were the main features of the apartheid system set up by the National Party after 1948?
    • What consequences did apartheid have for the people of South Africa?
    • How did opposition to apartheid develop between 1948 and 1964?
    • What were the effects of the government's response to opposition by 1966?
    • How significant were the policies of the National Party governments from 1966 to 1980?
    • To what extent did black opposition change in this period?
    • How far did economic factors improve lives by 1980?
    • What was the impact of external opposition to apartheid?
    • What were the effects of the policies of P W Botha?
    • What was the significance of individual leaders in the collapse of apartheid?
    • Why did violence increase between 1980 and the early 1990s?
    • To what extent was there a smooth transition of power between 1989 and 1994?
    • Pass Laws, Black 'Locations', Colour-bar on Employment, Land Acts and Restrictions on Political Rights
    • Developments in Mining, Manufacturing and Agriculture; State Involvement
    • Impact of the Second World War on South Africa
    • British and Afrikaner Regional Differences and the 1948 Election
    • Legislation and Methods of Enforcement after 1948
    • Effects on Employment, Families, Location, Education, Coloureds
    • Response of White Population
    • ANC aims and Campaigns, Women's Resistance, ANC and PAC Split
    • Umkhonto we SIzwe and Rivonia Trial; Sharpeville and Langa
    • International Effects; 1961 South African Republic
    • Changes in Methods of Suppression and Effects from 1966
    • Divisions in ANC and PAC in Exile; Significance of Black Consciousness
    • Differing Effects of Economic Developments
    • Organisation for African Unity and Bases; UN Sanctions; Government Response
    • 'Total Strategy' and Reforms; Social and Political Effects
    • President de Klerk, ANC Leaders, Desmond Tutu and Chief Buthelezi
    • School Boycotts and Township Unrest
    • White Extremism
    • Economic and International Factors
    • Power-Sharing Aims and Responses
    • 1994 General Election
  9. ☑️ The Cold War 15 topics
    • Understanding of the origins of the Cold War and the concept of 'Containment'
    • Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan's Influence on forming Cold War
    • Learning about Berlin crisis of 1948–49 and the formation of NATO
    • Impact of China's transition into a Communist regime
    • The Korean War and its significance in the context of Cold War
    • Discuss the nuclear arms race and the concept of deterrence
    • Reasons behind the formation of the Warsaw Pact and Soviet invasion of Hungary
    • Understanding the events and implications of the Cuban Missile Crisis
    • Examination of the causes and effects of the Vietnam War
    • Discussing the period of détente and the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks
    • The role of individuals such as Reagan, Gorbachev in ending the Cold War
    • Examination of the fall of Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany
    • Analysis of the dissolution of the Soviet Union and its impact on international relationships.
    • A study of the key themes and events of the Cold War from multiple perspectives (USA, USSR, China, Europe etc.)
    • Understanding the long-term political, economic, and social effects of the Cold War on the international community.
  10. ☑️ The First World War, 1914–18 26 topics
    • How was the Schlieffen Plan intended to work?
    • How important was Belgium's reaction to the Schlieffen Plan?
    • How successful was the British Expeditionary Force (BEF)?
    • Why did both sides introduce trenches?
    • Why did the war become bogged down in the trenches?
    • What was living and fighting in the trenches like?
    • How important were new developments such as tanks, machine guns, aircraft and gas?
    • What was the significance of the Battles of Verdun and the Somme?
    • Who won the war at sea?
    • Why did the Gallipoli campaign of 1915 fail?
    • Why did Russia leave the war in 1918?
    • What was the impact of war on civilian populations?
    • What was the importance of America's entry into the war?
    • Why was the German offensive of 1918 unsuccessful?
    • Why did revolution break out in Germany in October 1918?
    • Why was the armistice signed?
    • The Schlieffen Plan in Operation
    • The Battles of Mons, the Marne and Ypres
    • The Main Battles of the War including the Somme and Verdun
    • The War at Sea
    • The Reasons for, and Results of, the Gallipoli Campaign
    • The Impact of War on Civilian Populations
    • Events on the Eastern Front and the Defeat of Russia
    • The German Offensive and the Allied Advance
    • Conditions in Germany Towards the End of the War
    • The Armistice
  11. ☑️ The United States, 1919–41 28 topics
    • On what factors was the economic boom based?
    • Why did some industries prosper while others did not?
    • Why did agriculture not share in the prosperity?
    • Did all Americans benefit from the boom?
    • What were the 'Roaring Twenties'?
    • How widespread was intolerance in US society?
    • Why was Prohibition introduced, and then later repealed?
    • How far did the roles of women change during the 1920s?
    • How far was speculation responsible for the Wall Street Crash?
    • What impact did the Crash have on the economy?
    • What were the social consequences of the Crash?
    • Why did Roosevelt win the election of 1932?
    • What was the New Deal as introduced in 1933?
    • How far did the character of the New Deal change after 1933?
    • Why did the New Deal encounter opposition?
    • Why did unemployment persist despite the New Deal?
    • Did the fact that the New Deal did not solve unemployment mean that it was a failure?
    • Specified Content
    • The Expansion of the US Economy During the 1920s
    • Weaknesses in the Economy by the Late 1920s
    • Society in the 1920s
    • The Wall Street Crash and its Financial, Economic and Social Effects
    • The Reaction of President Hoover to the Crash
    • The Presidential Election of 1932; Hoover's and Roosevelt's Programmes
    • Roosevelt's Inauguration and the 'Hundred Days'
    • The New Deal Legislation, the 'Alphabet Agencies' and their Work, Economic and Social Changes they Caused
    • Opposition to the New Deal
    • Strengths and Weaknesses of the New Deal Programme in Dealing with Unemployment and the Depression
  12. ☑️ The Treaty of Versailles 15 topics
    • Context and Background: Understanding the end of World War I and the armistice
    • The Big Three and Their Aims: Woodrow Wilson, Georges Clemenceau, and David Lloyd George's differing goals
    • Wilson's Fourteen Points: Key aims and principles behind the points
    • Main Terms of the Treaty: Territorial, military, financial, and colonial clauses
    • War Guilt Clause: Article 231 and its implications for Germany
    • Reparations: Understanding the financial demands placed on Germany
    • Territorial Losses: Examination of regions such as Alsace-Lorraine, the Rhineland, and other territories
    • Military Restrictions: Limitations on the German armed forces and their significance
    • Impact on Germany: Economic, political, and social consequences
    • Global Reactions and Criticism: Views from Europe and beyond, including perspectives of the affected countries
    • League of Nations: Purpose, structure, and its relation to the Treaty
    • Long-term Implications: How the Treaty set the stage for future conflicts
    • Comparison with Other Treaties: Saint-Germain, Trianon, Neuilly, and Sèvres
    • The Role of Self-determination: Ethnic groups and new nation-states emerging in Europe
    • The Treaty and International Relations: Influence on subsequent diplomatic relations and tensions

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China, c.1930–c.1990

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