Cambridge International AS Level European History 1789-1917: Exam Skills and Practice Questions
Cambridge International AS Level European History 1789-1917: A Brief Overview
If you are interested in learning about the history of Europe from the French Revolution to the end of the First World War, then you might want to consider taking the Cambridge International AS Level European History 1789-1917 course. This course is designed to help you develop a critical understanding of the main events, trends and issues that shaped Europe during this period. You will also learn how to analyse and evaluate different types of historical sources and evidence, and how to write clear and coherent essays on historical topics.
Cambridge International AS Level European History 1789 1917
What will you learn in this course?
The course covers four main topics:
The French Revolution and Napoleon 1789-1804: You will learn about the causes, course and consequences of the French Revolution, and how Napoleon rose to power and transformed France and Europe.
The Industrial Revolution c.1800-1850: You will learn about the economic, social and political effects of the Industrial Revolution on different classes and regions of Europe.
Italy and Germany 1848-1871: You will learn about the nationalist movements and wars that led to the unification of Italy and Germany, and the role of key leaders such as Cavour, Garibaldi, Bismarck and Mazzini.
The origins of the First World War 1871-1914: You will learn about the factors that contributed to the outbreak of the First World War, such as imperialism, militarism, nationalism, alliances and diplomacy.
How will you be assessed in this course?
The course is assessed by two written papers:
Paper 1: Source Investigation (25% of total marks): You will answer two questions based on historical sources related to one of the four topics. You will need to demonstrate your ability to comprehend, compare, evaluate and use sources as evidence.
Paper 2: Structured Essay (75% of total marks): You will answer three questions from a choice of six on any of the four topics. You will need to demonstrate your knowledge, understanding and skills of analysis, evaluation and communication.
Why should you take this course?
There are many reasons why you might want to take this course, such as:
You have a passion for history and want to deepen your knowledge and appreciation of European history.
You want to develop your critical thinking and writing skills, which are essential for further study and work.
You want to prepare for the Cambridge International A Level History course, which builds on the content and skills of this course.
You want to broaden your perspective and understanding of the world by learning about different cultures, societies and ideologies.
Whatever your motivation, this course will provide you with a stimulating and rewarding learning experience that will enrich your mind and prepare you for your future.
How can you prepare for this course?
There are several ways you can prepare for this course and enhance your learning experience, such as:
Reading the recommended textbook by Russell Williams, which provides a comprehensive and accessible coverage of the course content, as well as useful features such as key questions, timelines, definitions, profiles, notes and questions.
Using the online resources provided by Cambridge University Press, which include answers to the questions in the textbook, summaries of each chapter, multiple-choice tests, advice on revision and exam technique, and animations.
Doing further research on the topics covered in the course, using reliable sources such as books, journals, websites and documentaries. You can also visit museums, libraries and historical sites that are relevant to the course.
Practicing your source analysis and essay writing skills, using past papers and mark schemes from Cambridge International Examinations. You can also seek feedback from your teacher or peers on your work.
Participating in class discussions and activities, sharing your views and opinions with your teacher and classmates. You can also join online forums and groups that are related to the course.
What are the benefits of taking this course?
Taking this course will provide you with many benefits, both academically and personally, such as:
You will gain a deeper understanding of the history of Europe from 1789 to 1917, which is a fascinating and influential period in world history.
You will develop your critical thinking and writing skills, which are essential for further study and work in any field.
You will acquire valuable knowledge and skills that will help you succeed in the Cambridge International A Level History course, which builds on the content and skills of this course.
You will broaden your perspective and understanding of the world by learning about different cultures, societies and ideologies.
You will enjoy a stimulating and rewarding learning experience that will enrich your mind and prepare you for your future.
If you are interested in taking this course, you can find out more information on the Cambridge International Examinations website or contact your school or college.
What are some of the challenges and opportunities of studying this course?
Studying this course can be both challenging and rewarding, depending on your attitude and approach. Some of the challenges you might face are:
The amount and complexity of the content: You will need to learn about a lot of historical facts, concepts and interpretations, and how they relate to each other. You will also need to keep track of the chronology and geography of the events and developments you study.
The diversity and variety of the sources: You will need to work with different types of historical sources, such as documents, images, maps, cartoons, speeches, statistics and artworks. You will also need to evaluate their reliability, usefulness and limitations.
The skills and techniques of writing history: You will need to develop your skills of analysis, evaluation and communication, and how to apply them to different types of questions and tasks. You will also need to follow the conventions and standards of academic writing.
However, these challenges can also be seen as opportunities to improve your learning and performance. Some of the opportunities you might enjoy are:
The relevance and significance of the content: You will learn about some of the most important and influential events, trends and issues that shaped Europe and the world in the modern era. You will also gain insights into how history is constructed and contested by different perspectives and interpretations.
The richness and diversity of the sources: You will have access to a wide range of historical sources that can provide you with evidence, information and viewpoints on various aspects of European history. You will also develop your critical thinking and research skills by using these sources effectively.
The creativity and expression of writing history: You will have the opportunity to express your own opinions and arguments on historical topics, using evidence and logic to support them. You will also develop your writing skills by using clear and coherent language, structure and style.
Therefore, studying this course can be a rewarding experience that can enhance your personal and academic development.
What are some of the topics you will study in this course?
In this course, you will study four main topics that cover the history of Europe from 1789 to 1917. Each topic has several subtopics that explore different aspects and perspectives of the topic. Here is a brief overview of each topic and its subtopics:
The French Revolution and Napoleon 1789-1804
This topic covers the causes, course and consequences of the French Revolution, and how Napoleon rose to power and transformed France and Europe. The subtopics are:
The origins of the French Revolution: You will learn about the political, social and economic factors that led to the outbreak of the revolution in 1789.
The course of the French Revolution: You will learn about the main events and phases of the revolution, such as the Tennis Court Oath, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, the Reign of Terror and the Thermidorian Reaction.
The impact of the French Revolution: You will learn about the effects of the revolution on France and Europe, such as the abolition of feudalism, the rise of nationalism, the spread of revolutionary ideas and wars.
The rise and fall of Napoleon: You will learn about Napoleon's background, achievements, reforms, wars and downfall.
The Industrial Revolution c.1800-1850
This topic covers the economic, social and political effects of the Industrial Revolution on different classes and regions of Europe. The subtopics are:
The causes and characteristics of the Industrial Revolution: You will learn about the factors that enabled and encouraged industrialisation in Europe, such as population growth, agricultural improvements, technological innovations, trade and transport.
The economic effects of the Industrial Revolution: You will learn about how industrialisation changed the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services in Europe, such as the growth of factories, markets, cities and railways.
The social effects of the Industrial Revolution: You will learn about how industrialisation affected the living and working conditions, health, education and leisure of different classes in Europe, such as workers, middle class and upper class.
The political effects of the Industrial Revolution: You will learn about how industrialisation influenced the development of political ideologies, movements and reforms in Europe, such as liberalism, socialism, nationalism and democracy.
Italy and Germany 1848-1871
This topic covers the nationalist movements and wars that led to the unification of Italy and Germany, and the role of key leaders such as Cavour, Garibaldi, Bismarck and Mazzini. The subtopics are:
The causes and characteristics of nationalism: You will learn about what nationalism is, why it emerged in Europe in the 19th century, and how it differed from other forms of political loyalty.
The unification of Italy: You will learn about how Italy was divided into different states before 1848, how various nationalist movements tried to unify Italy through revolutions and wars, and how Cavour and Garibaldi achieved Italian unification by 1871.
The unification of Germany: You will learn about how Germany was divided into different states before 1848, how various nationalist movements tried to unify Germany through revolutions and wars, and how Bismarck achieved German unification by 1871.
The impact of Italian and German unification: You will learn about how Italian and German unification affected their domestic politics, economy and society, as well as their relations with other European powers.
The origins of the First World War 1871-1914
This topic covers the factors that contributed to the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, such as imperialism, militarism, nationalism, alliances and diplomacy. The subtopics are:
The causes and characteristics of imperialism: You will learn about what imperialism is, why European powers pursued imperial expansion in Africa and Asia in the late 19th century, and how imperialism affected their relations with each other.
The causes and characteristics of militarism: You will learn about what militarism is, why European powers increased their military spending and preparedness in the late 19th century, and how militarism affected their relations with each other.
The causes and characteristics of nationalism: You will learn about what nationalism is, why nationalist movements emerged or intensified in various regions of Europe in the late 19th century, such as Ireland, Poland, Balkans and Alsace-Lorraine, and how nationalism affected their relations with each other.
The causes and characteristics of alliances: You will learn about what alliances are, why European powers formed or joined different alliances in the late 19th century, such as Triple Alliance (Germany-Austria-Italy) or Triple Entente (France-Britain-Russia),and how alliances affected their relations with each other.
The causes and characteristics of diplomacy: You will learn about what diplomacy is,
how European powers conducted diplomatic relations with each other in
the late 19th century,
such as through conferences,
treaties,
crises
and ultimatums,
and how diplomacy affected their relations with each other.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cambridge International AS Level European History 1789-1917 is a course that offers a comprehensive and engaging overview of the history of Europe from the French Revolution to the end of the First World War. By taking this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of the main events, trends and issues that shaped Europe during this period, and how they relate to the wider world. You will also develop your critical thinking and writing skills, which are essential for further study and work in any field. This course will provide you with a stimulating and rewarding learning experience that will enrich your mind and prepare you for your future. ca3e7ad8fd