A Level History

Award:  A-Level

Awarding Body: Edexcel

Specification Code: 

• • A-Level: 9Hi0

Specification Website: Edexcel  A-Level History

Institution: Bayside, Westside

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Nationalism, dictatorship and democracy in twentieth century Europe 

Germany and West Germany 1918-89

This paper comprises a study in breadth, in which students will learn about key political changes experienced in a unified Germany and then in West Germany after the Second World War, and the impact of these changes on German economic, social and cultural developments. The focus of study is on developments and changes over a broad timescale and so the content is presented in themes spanning a significant duration: 1918-89. This paper also contains a study in depth of historical interpretations on a broad question, which is contextualised by, and runs parallel to, the themes: how far Hitler’s foreign policy was responsible for the Second World War.  

Spain 1930-78: republicanism, Francoism and the re-establishment of democracy

This paper comprises a study in depth of Spain in the years 1930-78, a dramatic period for Spaniards which spanned years of democracy, dictatorship and democracy again, and led to the creation of the modern Spanish state. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the changing politics and society of a nation that underwent the turbulence of the Second Republic and civil war followed by a period of right-wing dictatorship from which a modern democracy emerged. 

The British Experience of Warfare c1790-1918

This paper 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 British experience of war in different aspects of major overseas conflicts and the changing relationship between the state and the people as the government attempted to create an effective fighting machine and prepare the people for war. Within the primarily military focus in the experience of warfare, this paper also gives students the opportunity to explore its political, social and economic dimensions and their part in generating pressure for change. 

Coursework

This coursework will enable students to develop skills in the analysis and evaluation of interpretations of history in a particular question, problem or issue as part of an independently researched assignment. The focus is on understanding the nature and purpose of the work of the historian. Students will be required to form a critical view based on relevant reading on the question, problem or issue. They will also be specifically required to analyse, explain and evaluate the interpretations of three historians.

Paper 1: Germany and West Germany 1918-89

• • Written exam- 2hrs 15mins

  • 60 marks

  • Worth 30% of A Level 

Paper 2: Spain 1930-78: republicanism, Francoism and the re-establishment of democracy

• • Written exam- 1hr 30mins

  • 40 marks

  • Worth 20% of A Level 

Paper 3: The British Experience of Warfare c1790-1918

• • Written exam- 2hrs 15mins

  • 60 marks

  • Worth 30% of A Level

 Coursework

• • A 3000-4000 word essay 

  • 40 marks

  • Worth 20% of A Level

Students carry out an independently-researched enquiry requiring them to analyse and evaluate historical interpretations and to organise and communicate the findings.

This coursework will be focused on one of the following:

• • Who was to blame for the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.

  • Why the nationalists won the Spanish Civil War.