A LEVEL HISTORY
At A Level, the History Department offers AQA History A Level (7042).
We study two periods of History: The Tudors, 1485-1603, and Modern American History: American Dream; Reality and Illusion, 1945-1980. The Tudors is a breadth study, and the American History is a depth study, which means delving more deeply into post-World War Two American domestic and foreign policy.
In Year 12 students learn about how the Tudors consolidated their power with a focus on Henry VII and Henry VIII. In Year 13 students learn about the Mid-Tudor Crisis of 1547-1547 and the Triumph of Elizabeth, 1563-1603.
Students also study the American Dream: Reality & Illusion, 1845-1980 with a focus in Year 12 on the presidencies of Truman, Eisenhower and Kennedy. In Year 13 students will focus on the challenges to the American Dream and Johnson’s Presidency of 1963-68 as well as Nixon and Republican reaction as well as America after Nixon, culminating with the election of Ronald Reagan.
In Year 13 students also conduct a Historical Investigation which covers 100 years of History. This essay is between 3500-4500 words in length and is worth 20% of the A’ Level. Currently NEA topics include the collapse of the Tsardom in Rusia, the struggle for female suffrage in Britain and Irish History.
KS5 topics by year
Year 12
The Tudors:
How did Henry VII consolidate power? Rebellions and reform of government
American Dream:
America post WW2- economy, society and divisions within it.
Truman’s foreign policy: Europe, Korea and policy of containment, Truman Doctrine, Marshall Aid
The Tudors: Henry VII’s foreign policy, the economy under Henry VII. Structure and society.
American Dream:
Truman’s domestic policy, including McCarthyism; the Red Scare trials of Hiss and the Rosenbergs, civil rights and key court cases of the NAACP.
The Tudors:
Henry VIII- style of leadership; the break with Rome; roles of Wolsey and Cromwell
American Dream:
Eisenhower’s domestic policy including ‘dynamic conservatism’, the end of McCarthyism, the growth of the consumer society, who benefitted from the booming economy, two recessions of the late 1950s.
The Tudors:
Henry VIII: foreign policy; Henry VIII and society- how did it change? Causes of rebellions against Henry.
American Dream:
Eisenhower’s foreign policy including ending the war in Korea, containment in Asia, the impact of the Suez crisis, the role of the CIA
The Tudors: Trading and religious reform; dissolution of the monasteries
American Dream:
Eisenhower and civil rights; the 1960 election between Kennedy and Nixon; Kennedy’s ‘new Frontier’, domestic policy, the Space Race, Kennedy’s foreign policy: Cuba, Berlin, Vietnam; Kennedy and civil rights
The Tudors:
Mid-Tudor Crisis; roles of Somerset and Northumberland; reign of Edward.
American Dream:
Kennedy and civil rights, the death of Kennedy and impact on America
Introduction to the NEA coursework component
Year 13
The Tudors:
Mid Tudor Crisis
The reign of Mary: Opposition to Mary’s reign: rebellions, foreign policy, economic changes.
American Dream:
Johnson’s presidency: legacy of Kennedy; Great Society legislation, escalation of the Vietnam War; opposition to the Vietnam war at home and abroad; legacy of Vietnam on Johnson
The Tudors: Mid Tudor Crisis
Elizabeth I’s early life and how it shaped her reign. Use of patronage; Elizabeth and reluctance to marry; religious changes.
American Dream:
Johnson and civil rights; key legislation and impact on the Civil Rights Movement and Usa; short and long-term impact of the urban riots of 1965-67; social divisions and protest movements- student protest and women’s rights groups and their impact on America
The Tudors:
Elizabeth I’s foreign policy: relations with Spain, conflict with the Spanish Armada. Relations with Scotland and Mary. Queen of Scots; policy towards the poor; threats and rebellions towards Elizabeth.
American Dream:
Economic problems faced by Nixon, Nixonomics; Nixon- Vietnam and Vietnamisation; Kissinger’s influence on US policy towards the USSR, Latin America & China; the CIA and Latin America; Nixon’s visit to China and impact on the Cold War; Watergate and how it lead to the end of Nixon’s Presidency; Nixon’s political legacy.
The Tudors:
Economic policy and changes under Elizabeth; challenges from religious groups; a ‘Golden Age’ of Elizabethan culture, Gloriana imagery.
American Dream:
Ford & Carter, 1974-80
Ford & Carter: political scandals and social divisions; loss of national self-confidence; foreign policy crises in the Middle East, Iran and Afghanistan; Reagan’s election in 1980
The Tudors:
Overview & Revision: Exam in Term 5
American Dream:
Overview & Revision: Exam in Term 6
Key Contact
If you would like any more information about this subject, please contact jordanna.riches@thebicesterschool.org.uk