War was a major feature of the 20th century. In this topic the different types of war should be identified, and the causes, practices and effects of these conflicts should be studied.

Major themes

Different types and natures of 20^th century warfare

·         civil

·         guerilla

·         limited war, total war

Origins and causes of wars

·         Long-term, short term and immediate causes

·         Economic, ideological, political religious causes

Nature of 20^th century wars

·         Technological developments, tactics and strategies, air, land and sea

Material for detailed study

·         First World War (1914‑8)

·         Second World War (1939‑45)

·         Americas: Falklands/Malvinas war (1982), Nicaraguan Revolution (1976‑9)

 Topic 2: Democratic states—challenges and responses

The 20th century witnessed the establishment, survival, destruction and re-emergence of democratic states. Democratic systems faced threats to their existence from internal and external sources. In some cases the system coped successfully, in other cases the pressures proved difficult to withstand. The performance of democratic states in relation to such pressures—economic, political and social—form the basis for this topic.

Major themes

Nature and structure of democratic (multiparty) states

·         Constitutions (written and unwritten)

·         Electoral systems, proportional representation, coalition governments

·         Role of political parties: role of opposition

·         Role of pressure (interest/lobby) groups

Economic and social policies

·         Employment

·         Gender

·         Health and education

·         Social welfare

Political, social and economic challenges

·         Political extremism

·         Ethnicity, religion and gender

·         Movements for the attainment of civil rights

·         Inequitable distribution of wealth/resources

Material for detailed study

Americas:

·         Argentina 1983‑95,

·         Alfonsin and Menem; Canada 1968‑84, Trudeau;

·         United States 1953‑73, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon

Topic 3: Origins and development of authoritarian and single-party states

The 20th century produced many authoritarian and single-party states. The origins, ideology, form of government, organization, nature and impact of these regimes should be studied.

Major themes

Origins and nature of authoritarian and single party state

·         Conditions that produced authoritarian and single party states

·         Emergence of leaders:  aims, ideology, support

·         Totalitarianism: the aim and the extent to which it was achieved.

Establishment of authoritarian and single party states

·         Methods:  force, legal

·         Form of government (left- and right-wing ideology

·         Nature, extent and treatment of opposition

Domestic policies and impact

·         Structure and organization of government and administration

·         Political, economis, social and religious policies

·         Role of education, the arts, the media , propaganda

·         Status of women, treatment of religious groups and minorities

Material for detailed study

·         Americas: Argentina—Perón; Cuba—Castro

Topic 5: The Cold War

This topic addresses East–West relations from 1945. It aims to promote an international perspective and understanding of the origins, course and effects of the Cold War—a conflict that dominated global affairs from the end of the Second World War to the early 1990s. It includes superpower rivalry and events in all areas affected by Cold War politics such as spheres of interest, wars (proxy), alliances and interference in developing countries.

Major themes

Origins of the Cold War

·         Ideological Differences

·         Mutual suspicion and fear

·         From wartime allies to post-war enemies

Nature of the Cold War

·         Ideological opposition

·         Superpowers and spheres of influence

·         Alliances and diplomacy in the Cold War

Development and Impact of the Cold War

·         Global spread of the Cold War from its European origins

·         Cold War policies of containment, brinkmanship, peaceful coexistence, détente

·         Role of the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement

·         Role and significance of leaders

·         Arms race, proliferation and limitation

·         Social cultural and economic impact

End of the Cold War

·         Break-up of the Soviet Union:  internal problems and external pressures

·         Breakdown of Soviet control over Central and Eastern Europe

Material for detailed study

·         Wartime conferences: Yalta and Potsdam

·         US policies and developments in Europe: Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, NATO

·         Soviet policies, Sovietization of Eastern and Central Europe, COMECON, Warsaw Pact

·         Sino–Soviet relations

·         US–Chinese relations

·         Germany (especially Berlin (1945‑61)), Congo (1960‑64), Afghanistan (1979‑88), Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, Middle East

·         Castro, Gorbachev, Kennedy, Mao, Reagan, Stalin, Truman

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