AS in History (2015 Specification)

These two units comprises a study in breadth, in which you will learn about the key political, social and economic features of communist rule in Russia and the USSR during the twentieth century. This era saw the authority and influence of Russia rise to the status of a superpower, only to diminish and decline later in the century. This option also contains a study in depth of historical interpretations on a broad key question: the reasons for the fall of the USSR, c1985–91.

This unit comprises a study in depth of the transformation of communist China in the years 1949–76. The aftershocks of these changes are still being felt today as China emerges as a great economic and political power on the world stage. By studying this unit you will gain an in-depth understanding of the nature and extent of change in this period, the effects of Mao Zedong’s policies on the lives of the Chinese people, and Mao’s role in driving dramatic political, social and economic changes.

By the end of the AS Level you will have begun to successfully interpret and analyse historical sources. As well as learning about these very interesting historical periods, the principal focus of these units is to enable learners to be able to successfully handle the original sources and develop the skills of the historian.