20th Century World History Topics
Welcome to IB Programme Course for Route 2 (20th Century), Higher Level History: Aspects of History of the Americas. This 2-year course will cover 1 prescribed subject, 2 Topics chosen from 20th Century World History topics and 3 Topics from our region of study--the Americas.
Please see the description of the TWO topics PASB students will study from 20th Century World History described below. Route 2 T(20th Century) topics will be assessed in Paper 2.
Please see the description of the TWO topics PASB students will study from 20th Century World History described below. Route 2 T(20th Century) topics will be assessed in Paper 2.
Topic Five: 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
END OF THE COLD WAR
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
MAJOR THEMES
ORIGINS OF THE COLD WAR
- Ideological differences
- Mutual suspicion and fear
- From wartime allies to post-war enemies
- Ideological opposition
- Superpowers and spheres of influence
- Alliances and diplomacy in 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 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
Topic Two: 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.
The topics should be studied through a selection of case studies drawn from TWO different regions. Knowledge of topics beyond 2000 is not required.
Major themes:
Material for detailed study
• Africa: South Africa 1991-2000, Mandela; Nigeria 1961- 6
• Americas: Argentina 1983- 95, Alfonsin and Menem; Canada 1968- 84, Trudeau; United States 1953-73, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon
The topics should be studied through a selection of case studies drawn from TWO different regions. Knowledge of topics beyond 2000 is not required.
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 an opposition • Role of pressure (interest/lobby) groups
- Economic and social policies
- Employment
- Gender
- Health & Education
- Social Welfare
- Political, social and economic challenges
- Political extremism
- Ethnicity, religion, gender
- Movements for the attainment of civil rights
- Inequitable distribution of wealth/resources
Material for detailed study
• Africa: South Africa 1991-2000, Mandela; Nigeria 1961- 6
• Americas: Argentina 1983- 95, Alfonsin and Menem; Canada 1968- 84, Trudeau; United States 1953-73, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon