History (Russia 1917-1953) A Level

Develop your skills of written and verbal communication, evaluation, analysis, assessment and expression as you study revolution, the collapse of the monarchy and the establishment of new regimes in A Level History. We will support your growing interest in understanding different time periods and the impact of political change on societies by presenting you with a number of opportunities to learn outside the classroom with activities such as guest speakers, trips and student conferences.

You will study England 1603-1702, considering the causes and events of the English Civil War and the execution of King Charles I in 1649; assessing how far the monarchy was changed after the Restoration.

We give you the opportunity to specialise in either Russia 1917-1953 or Germany 1918-1945. Specialising in Russia will lead you to study the revolutions of 1917, Bolshevik Russia, Stalin’s rule and Russia’s emergence as a superpower following the Second World War. If you choose to specialise in Germany you will spend your time studying the German revolution of 1918-1919 and the establishment of the Weimar Republic, the Nazis in power and their impact on the German population.

You will study and produce a coursework project on the struggle for black Civil Rights in America, 1860-1965; looking at some primary material as well as how historians have viewed this period.

Year 1 Modules

Students will choose one of the following pathways:

The Russian Revolution 1917-1929; the fall of the Tsar, Lenin’s Russia, and Stalin’s rise to power

The Weimar Republic 1918-1933; the fall of the Kaiser, the Golden Twenties and the rise of the Nazis

Britain 1603-49: the reigns of James I and Charles I, the causes of the Civil War and execution of the King

The Struggle for Black Civil Rights in America 1860-1965

Year 2 Modules

Students will continue with their specialist pathway chosen in Year 1:

Russia: Stalin’s Rule, 1929-1953, Modernisation, the Terror, and Russia in WW2

Germany: The Nazis in power, 1933–1945, the Terror State, Opposition, Policies towards the Jews and Germany in WW2

Britain 1649-1702: the rule of Cromwell, the restoration of Charles II and the causes of the Glorious Revolution.

80% Exam

20% Coursework

Exam Board: AQA

Five GCSEs at Grade 5 including:

Grade 5 in GCSE English Language

Grade 5 in GCSE History

Grade 5 in another Humanities subject or GCSE English Literature

Examples of degrees being taken by students who completed their A level History courses in 2021 include:

History at St Andrews University,

History at York University,

History at Liverpool Hope University,

Psychology at University College London,

Criminology at the University of Birmingham,

Economics at Loughborough University

International and Political Studies at University College London.