Overview
Through the study of some of the most intriguing and tumultuous periods in human history, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of key events, people, and societies, and learn how to ask relevant questions about the past. Essential for anyone who wishes to study history at A-level at university, this course has been created by subject specialists to equip you with key skills such as critical thinking, essay writing, and analysis.
Delve into the past and the power it holds to help us understand the present with our fascinating, dynamic History IGCSE course
You’ll begin by studying Germany between 1918 and 1945, exploring the development and collapse of democracy, and the rise and fall of Nazism, and discovering how Hitler & the Nazis used a variety of factors to take complete control of the country. Moving on, you’ll delve into the conflict and tension of the interwar years, discovering the events which led to the start of the Second World War.
Next, you’ll immerse yourself in the Cold War, one of the most dangerous times in recent history You’ll explore the difference between capitalism and communism and how this is at the root of the standoff between the USA and USSR. You’ll go on to study the changes in medicine between 1848 and 1948, exploring how our understanding of and attitudes towards public health developed over this century, and how this, along with the rapid development of technologies made medical treatments and diagnoses more effective.
Finally, you’ll undertake a historical investigation that looks at the origins and the course of the First World War, learning about the system of alliances before 1914 and the key issues that pushed Europe to war, ultimately exploring how Germany was defeated
What you'll learn
Unit 1: The Weimar Republic 1918 – 1929
- The early problems of the Weimar Republic 1919 -1920
- The rise of Hitler and the Nazis 1920 – 1922
- The Challenges of 1923
- The recovery of the Weimar Republic 1924 – 1929
- The lean years of the Nazi party 1923 – 1929
Unit 2: The rise of the Nazis and the establishment of the Third Reich
- How did Hitler gain and consolidate his power 1932 – 1934
- How did the Nazis change the economy and lives of workers?
- Nazi racial polices
- Nazi polices towards Women and the Young
- Nazi control through propaganda and terror
- Nazi policies towards Jews
- Growth of opposition towards the Nazis
- The impact of World War II and Reasons behind the downfall of the Third Reich
Unit 1: The beginnings of the Cold War
- The main aims and beliefs of Stalin and Truman
- Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam.
- The dropping of the atomic bomb 1945
- Recap what started the Cold war
Unit 2: The Building of tension and influence between the Superpowers
- Soviet expansion into Eastern Europe
- Churchill’s Iron curtain speech
- Truman doctrine and the Cominform
- Marshall Plan and the Comecon
- The Berlin blockade
- NATO and the Warsaw Pact
- Impact of the Korean War on superpower relations
- Khrushchev and Eisenhower: profile and main aims
- The Hungarian uprising
- The arms race
- Space race
- Thaw 1956 – 1960
Unit 3 : Escalation of conflict
- The U2 crisis and Paris peace Summit
- President Kennedy: profile and main aims
- The Berlin wall
- The Bay of Pigs invasion
- The Cuban missile Crisis
- Why did World War III not take place 1961 -1962?
Unit 1: 19th century Public health and ideas about the cause of disease
- Florence Nightingale changes to hospital care
- Mary Seacole
- Elizabeth Garret
- Pasteur development of germ theory
- Robert Koch’s work on microbes and bacteriology
- Pasteur’s vaccination
- Public health of industrial towns
- Chadwick’s report
- 1848 public health act
- The work of John Snow
- 1875 public health act
Unit 2: 19th century surgery and anatomy
Dangers in surgery:
- Development of anaesthetics
- Development of antiseptics
- Development of X rays
Unit 3: 20th century Public health
- Problems which remain with public health in the 20th century
- The Boer war and the Liberal reforms
- First world war and the first aid nursing yeomanry
- Impact of the second world war on public health
- Beveridge report
- Creation of the NHS
Unit 4: 20th century: New medical developments and progress in surgery and anatomy
- Development of x-rays and blood transfusions
- Marie curie and radioactivity
- Importance of the first world war for Plastic and Brain surgery
- Importance of the Second world war for Skin crafts and Blood plasma
- Changing role of nurses in the second world war
- Discovery and development of penicillin
Unit 5 The alliance system and international rivalry, 1905–14
The system of alliances and ententes before 1914, including the Triple Alliance and the formation of the Triple Entente. Economic, imperial and military causes of international rivalry.
Unit 6: The growth of tension in Europe, 1905–14
The key issues in the Balkans and their significance for international relations, including Balkan nationalism and Austro-Serbian rivalry. The features and impact of the Bosnian Crisis (1908–09) and the Balkan Wars (1912–13).
The features and significance of Anglo-German rivalry, including the naval race and the Moroccan Crises of 1905–06 and 1911. The assassination at Sarajevo and its consequences. The events leading to the outbreak of war, including the part played by international agreements and the roles of the great powers.
Unit 7: The Schlieffen Plan and deadlock on the Western Front
The Schlieffen Plan and reasons for its failure. The trench system, life in the trenches, new weapons and methods. Reasons for deadlock. Key features of Somme and Passchendaele. Successes and failures on the Western Front, including the responsibility of Haig.
Unit 8: The war at sea and Gallipoli
German threat to Britain in North Sea. German raids, Heligoland Bight, Dogger Bank and Jutland. The U-boat threat, the Lusitania and anti-U-boat measures. Reasons for, and key features of, the Gallipoli campaign. Evacuation and effects of campaign.
Unit 9: The defeat of Germany
The significance of the US entry into the war. Key features of the Ludendorff spring offensive (1918). The Allied drive to victory (July–November 1918) and reasons for German defeat.
Extra info
Awarding Body
Edexcel is the UK’s largest awarding organisation offering academic and vocational qualifications in schools, colleges and workplaces in the UK and abroad. Edexcel is a multinational education and examination body covering A-Level Courses and GCSE Courses.
Course Outcome
Upon successful completion of this History distance learning course, you will receive a GCSE certificate in History, issued by Edexcel. This syllabus (4HI1) has been chosen specifically because it is best suited to distance learning.
How is this course assessed or examined?
You can enrol now for History IGCSE Summer 2024 examinations.
You’ll be required to complete the two IGCSE standard written exams:
- Paper 1: 1 hour 30 minutes, written exam, 50% of your IGCSE, 60 marks.
- Germany: development of dictatorship, 1918–45
- A world divided: superpower relations, 1943–72
- Paper 2: 1 hour 30 minutes, written exam, 50% of your IGCSE, 60 marks.
- The origins and course of the First World War, 1905–18
- Changes in medicine, c1848–c1948
We provide a guaranteed exam space in one of our partner exam centres around the UK. Check where your closest exam centre is.
During your course, you will also be required to complete various assignments. These do not contribute towards your final grade but provide you with an opportunity to submit work to your tutor for marking and feedback. This will help you to gauge your progress as you work through the course. There is no coursework to complete.
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this Edexcel IGCSE History course, however, it is recommended that you have an intermediate ability to read and write in English.
