Paper 3 (Higher Level)

A. Content - teachers choose just ONE of the four regions below, and then TWO regional studies within it:

Africa and the Middle East

The Americas (ActiveHistory's Choice)

Asia and Oceania

Europe

B. Assessment > Paper 3 (2 hours)

Two essay questions will be provided for each of the 12 regional studies. Students must answer two questions in two hours, each from a different regional study.

General Rubric

Possible markbands:
L1: 0-2 marks; L2 = 3-4 marks (20%) ; L3 = 5-6 marks (33%); L4 = 7-8 marks (45%); L5 = 9-11 marks (60%); L6 = 12-13 marks (80%); L7 = 14-15 marks (93%)

	Demands of the Question	Evaluation of Perspective	Judgement
13–15	The response demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the argument in the question.	The response provides a thorough and well-balanced evaluation of a range of perspectives on the argument.	The response provides a substantiated judgement that is consistent with the evaluation.
10–12	The response provides an evaluation of perspectives on the argument, though this lacks depth or balance.	The response provides an evaluation of perspectives on the argument, though this lacks depth or balance.	The response provides a partially substantiated judgement that is consistent with the evaluation.
7–9	The response demonstrates partial understanding of the argument in the question, though this lacks depth.	The response provides a limited evaluation of perspectives on the argument, though this is often descriptive.	The response provides a judgement that is partially consistent with the evaluation.
4–6	The response demonstrates a limited understanding of the argument in the question.	The response is descriptive, and references to perspectives are vague or unsupported.	The response states a superficial judgement, though this is not supported by the rest of the response.
1–3	The response demonstrates some historical knowledge but does not address the argument in the question.	The response is an outline of unsubstantiated assertions or generalisations, with minimal reference to perspectives that lack relevance.	The response does not lead to a clear judgement.
0	The response does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.	The response does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.	The response does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.

Approach and assessment

In assessment terms, the mark scheme has been streamlined from the previous iteration, but the questions in the sample papers and the sample essays provided by the IBO are not meaningfully different from before. On this basis (and unlike in Paper 2, for example) there does not appear to be major substantial changes needed in teaching approaches for this paper (although writing two essays instead of three is a welcome reduction of student workload). The exam quesetions still require students to consider a question from several angles.

Therefore my advice to students will continue to adopt a broad three-part structure for a "To what extent do you agree that..." would be:

1. Agree (thesis) - evidence in favour, substantiating the argument by explaining how that factor clearly had an impact
2. Disagree (antithesis) - evidence against, challenging the argument by explaining how that factor had a limited impact
3. Disagree (synthesis) - evidence showing that therefore for a full understanding we need to look at another (but connected) factor

In this way, students will maintain a heavy focus on the 'given' factor in the first two thirds of the essay by looking at that factor from two perspectives, before then broadening out to consider the 'to what extent' more broadly by bringing in another connected factor.

C. Comments / Observations from Russel Tarr (ActiveHistory)

Russel Tarr (ActiveHistory):

In terms of content, I will personally be choosing "The Americas" as my Higher Level Region. I will cover option [9] since this covers some of the most interesting 20thC topics including Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War, as well as overlapping with the Rule of Castro which I will be covering for my studies of Paper 2 "Authoritarian Rule". this, I I am most attracted to option [11] since this would overlap very neatly with Paper 1 Protest and Change option, which consists of Feminism in the USA (1960-1979) (along with Revolution in Tunisia: 1989-2015). To accompany this

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Establishment and maintenance of political authority	Centralized rulers and local leaders, and the relationship between them Religion and warfare as a means of legitimizing power Administration, codes of conduct and law Alliances among different communities
Establishment and maintenance of economic structures	Extent and limits of sedentary organization Landholding, agricultural production and irrigation control Role of tribute Reciprocity, trade networks and role of marketplaces
Establishment and maintenance of social organization	Social hierarchies and gender roles Family structure and kinship Organization of tribes and clans Construction of identities
Impact of warfare on Indigenous societies	Expansion and conquest Wealth accumulation, including looting and pillaging Military organization and warfare tactics Subjugation and enslavement of other Indigenous peoples
Role of culture in maintaining Indigenous societies	Language Religion The arts Relationship with the natural world
Challenges faced by Indigenous societies	Threats from other Indigenous societies in the region Environmental factors Social factors, including overpopulation Political factors, including weaknesses of political organization

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Initial impact of European exploration	Military conquest and defeat of Indigenous societies Acquisition and exploitation of natural resources, including gold and silver Trade in resources, including fur and tobacco Colombian Exchange
Early treatment of Indigenous peoples by colonial governments	Use of Indigenous labour, including encomienda, yanaconajeand mita Social impact, including assimilation and social stratification Colonial plantations Experiences of Indigenous women
Reasons for the development of the system of transatlantic slavery	Role of ideas Economic factors Political factors Role of different colonial powers, including Portugal, the UK, France, the Netherlands and Spain
Impact of the system of transatlantic slavery	Economic and political impact Social and cultural impact, including experiences of Indigenous societies Conditions of living and working on plantations Experiences of enslaved women
Resistance by enslaved peoples	Day-to-day resistance Cultural resistance Rebellions Escape, including the establishment of communities of escaped enslaved peoples
Emergence and growth of early opposition to slavery	Role of ideas in the abolitionist movement Religious leaders and groups Role of formerly enslaved peoples Role of technology in the spread of antislavery ideas

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Reasons for the emergence of independence movements	Political and economic factors Social and religious factors Influence of Enlightenment ideas Actions of the colonial power
Contributions of key leaders to the success of independence movements	Intellectual contribution Political contribution, including role in declaring independence Military contribution Mobilization of popular support
Reasons for the outcome of revolutionary wars	Military organization Strategies and tactics Foreign support and regional collaboration Weaknesses of the colonial power
Establishment of new nation states	Political factors, including creation of a constitution Relations with neighbouring countries, including establishment of national borders and new diplomatic relations Creation of a national identity Role of leaders in the state
Post-independence challenges for new nation states	Economic challenges, including costs of wars of independence External military threats Disputes over leadership of the new state Treatment and experiences of marginalized groups, including Indigenous peoples, African Americans, Creoles
Impact of US relations with independent states in Latin America	US support for independence movements Monroe Doctrine Plans for cooperation and American integration Intra-American trade relations

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Impact of the system of slavery on the USA	Economic impacts of the cotton economy Conditions of enslavement Adaptation and resistance Political impacts, including the abolitionist debate
Long-term causes of the Civil War	The Nullification Crisis States’ rights Sectionalism Economic, cultural and social differences between the North and South
Short-term causes of the Civil War	Compromise of 1850 Kansas-Nebraska Act and Bleeding Kansas Dred Scott Decision and Harpers Ferry Presidential election of 1860 and impact on Secession
Reasons for the outcome of the Civil War	Military and economic strengths and weaknesses of the Union and the Confederacy Role of political and military leaders, including Abraham Lincoln Role of the Emancipation Proclamation and African American participation Role of foreign relations
Impact of the Civil War	Political impact Economic impact Social and cultural impact Experiences of women
Successes and failures of Reconstruction	Presidential and Congressional Reconstruction, including the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments Southern resistance, Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and Black Codes Actions taken by formerly enslaved peoples Compromise of 1877

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Economic transformation	Railroad construction Industrial growth and urbanization Development of international and inter-American trade Neocolonialism and dependency
Impacts of migration	Arrival of European and/or Asian immigrants Changes to the allocation and use of land Changes to religion Impact on, and experiences of, Indigenous peoples
Impact of ideological trends on the transformation of nations	Nationalism, liberalism and progressivism Social Darwinism Expansionist ideas “Indigenismo” and nativism
Political and social transformations	Constitutional reforms Development of a party system Expansion of democracy, including women’s suffrage Developments in the arts
Role of leaders in the transformation of nations	Intellectual contribution Political contribution Social policies Mobilization of popular support
Challenges in the transformation of nations	Economic challenges, including inequality Experiences of marginalized groups Labour movements, unions and strikes Internal conflicts

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Reasons for the outbreak of the revolution	Social factors Economic factors Political factors Rule of Porfirio Díaz
Impact of revolutionary leaders on the revolution	Francisco Madero Victoriano Huerta Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata Venustiano Carranza
Impact of the 1917 Constitution	Land reforms and property rights Labour reform Impact on the church Education reforms
Achievements and challenges of the post-revolutionary state (1920- 1940)	Álvaro Obregón Plutarco Elías Calles and the Maximato Opposition and Cristero War Lázaro Cárdenas and renewal of the revolution
Foreign contributions to the revolution	Motivations for involvement Military interventions Economic intervention, including supply of arms Diplomatic intervention
Impact of the revolution	Economic impact Culture, education and the arts Experiences of women Experiences of marginalized groups

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Reasons for the Great Depression	Political factors, including failures of regulation Economic factors, including the banking system and trade Agricultural and environmental factors Reactions to 1929 Wall Street Crash
Political impact of the Great Depression in the USA	Impact on party politics Expansion of executive power and role of federal government Labour rights and social policies Challenges to the New Deal
Political impact of the Great Depression in one country of the Americas (excluding the USA)	Impact on political stability Changes to political power Labour rights and social policies Challenges to government reforms
Social impact of the Great Depression in one country in the Americas	Demography and standard of living Experiences of women Experiences of marginalized groups Impact on culture and the arts
Effectiveness of solutions in the USA and Canada	Herbert Hoover Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal William Lyon Mackenzie King R. B. Bennett
Effectiveness of solutions in one country in Latin America	Agrarian reforms Nationalization programmes Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI) Labour rights and social programmes

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Reasons for US expansionist foreign policy	Political factors Economic factors Social factors Role of ideology
Impact of US expansionist foreign policy	Spanish-American War (1898) Roosevelt Corollary and “big stick” diplomacy Dollar diplomacy Moral diplomacy
Changing regional and global role of the USA	Participation in the First World War Woodrow Wilson’s peace ideals and decision not to join the League of Nations Good Neighbor Policy and inter-American diplomatic agreements Participation in the Second World War, including development and use of the atomic bomb
Changing regional and global role of one country in the Americas (excluding the USA)	Decision to participate or remain neutral in the First World War Membership and involvement in the League of Nations Decision to participate or remain neutral in the Second World War Economic and trading relations
Domestic impact of the First World War on one country in the Americas	Economic and social impact Political impact Experiences of women Experiences of marginalized groups
Domestic impact of the Second World War on one country in the Americas	Economic and social impact Political impact Experiences of women Experiences of marginalized groups

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Impact of the Cold War during the presidencies of Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower	Truman’s containment policy McCarthyism Eisenhower’s New Look policy US intervention in Latin America, including role of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Cuban Revolution and its impact in the Americas	Hemispheric reactions to the revolution Bay of Pigs Cuban Missile Crisis Diplomatic impact on Latin American countries
Impact of the Cold War during the presidencies of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson	Kennedy’s Alliance for Progress Intervention in the Dominican Republic Domestic impact of Johnson’s policy in Vietnam Regional support for, and opposition to, US involvement in Vietnam
Impact of US foreign policies in the Americas (1968-1988)	School of the Americas and the Condor Plan Richard Nixon’s covert operations and Chile Jimmy Carter’s quest for human rights and the Panama Canal Treaty (1977) Ronald Reagan and the Contras in Nicaragua
Impact of the Cold War on Canada	Domestic anti-Communism North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Creation of UN peacekeeping forces Cooperation and tension with the USA
Impact of the Cold War on one country in Latin America	Rio Pact, Organization of American States (OAS) and regional collaboration Domestic political impact of the Cold War Cooperation and tension with the USA Cooperation and tension with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Reasons for the Cuban Revolution	Political factors, including role of Fulgencio Batista Economic factors, including role of the USA Social factors Role of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara
Maintenance of power and impact of rule of Fidel Castro	Political policies Social policies, including Cuban nationalism Economic policies Treatment of opposition
Emerging challenges in one Latin American country	Growth of populism Growth of guerrilla movements Crisis of democracy and failure of elected leaders Rise of military dictatorship
Impact of a guerrilla movement on one country in Latin America	Social impacts Political impacts Economic impacts Experiences of women
Impact of, and maintenance of power by, military dictatorship on one country in Latin America	Social factors Political factors Economic factors Suppression of opposition
Reasons for the emergence of democratization in one country in Latin America	Political factors Economic factors Social factors Role of transitional justice

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Reasons for the emergence of the African American civil rights movement	Political factors Social factors, including Jim Crow Economic factors Role of ideas
Methods used by the African American civil rights movement to create change	Non-violent protest and role of Martin Luther King Jr. Radical activism, including Malcolm X, Black Panthers and Black Power Role of women, including Ella Baker, Fannie Lou Hamer and Angela Davis Role of grassroots organizations
Extent of change achieved by the African American civil rights movement	Supreme Court decisions, including Brown v. The Board of Education (1954) Congressional legislation and presidential support, including Civil Rights Act (1964) Social and cultural change Economic change
Reasons for the emergence of one social movement (excluding the African American civil rights movement) in the Americas	Political factors Social factors Economic factors Role of ideas
Methods used by one social movement (excluding the African American civil rights movement) in the Americas to create change	Non-violent and violent methods Role of key leaders Role of women Role of grassroots organizations
Extent of change achieved by one social movement (excluding the African American civil rights movement) in the Americas	Legal change Political change Social and cultural change Economic change

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Challenges and successes in domestic politics of the USA (1961- 1977)	Social policies, including New Frontier and Great Society Watergate scandal and pardon of Nixon Changes and internal conflicts within the Democratic and Republican parties in the 1960s and 1970s, and impact on elections Roles of Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Gerald Ford
Challenges and successes in domestic politics of the USA (1977- 2001)	Economic policies, including Reaganomics Social policies, including the War on Drugs Economic growth and transition in the 1990s Roles of Carter, Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton
Challenges and successes in domestic politics of the USA (2001- 2020)	2001 terrorist attacks on the USA 2008 financial crisis Growth of political polarization Roles of George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump
Challenges and successes in domestic politics of Canada (1963- 1993)	Social policies Economic policies Collapse of the Progressive Conservative Party Roles of Lester B. Pearson, Pierre Trudeau, Joe Clark and Brian Mulroney
Causes and effects of the Quiet Revolution	Rise of Quebec nationalism Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) October Crisis (1970) Quebec and separatism
Challenges and successes in domestic politics of Canada (1993- 2020)	Emergence of Conservative Party Truth and Reconciliation Commission (from 2008) 2008 financial crisis Roles of Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin, Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Rise of the Abbasid Caliphate	Declining power of the Umayyads Abbasid military power and leaders Religious and social factors Changing nature of the Islamic world and end of Arab dominance
Impact of Abbasid rule	Political developments, including structure of government Economic, social and cultural development Intellectual development, including the Golden Age of Islam Role of Harun al-Rashid and al-Ma’mun
Reasons for, and regional impact of, the collapse of Abbasid rule	Political factors Economic factors Military factors, including the Seljuks, Byzantines and Mongols Religious factors, including the Fatimids, Shi’ites and Christians
Reasons for emergence of the Crusades	Religious factors Political factors Economic factors Territorial factors
Reasons for the outcome of the Crusades	Economic and political factors Military factors Role of European leaders, including Godfrey de Bouillon and Richard I of England Role of Muslim leaders, including Imad ad-Din Zengi and Nur ad-Din, Salah ad-Din and Baybars
Impact of the Crusades in the Middle East	Political impact Economic impact Social impact Cultural impact

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Emergence and consolidation of the state	Political factors Military campaigns and conquests Social factors Economic factors
Reasons for the growth of production and trade	Main commodities Trade routes Productive lands, including agriculture and mineral resources Mobilization of labour force
Maintenance of authority	Role of leaders Centralization of power Role of dynasties and succession Diplomatic relations
Impact of the state	Religious impact Cultural impact Social impact Experiences of women
Reasons for decline and collapse	Opposition, resistance, and civil wars Foreign challenges Economic factors Trade in enslaved peoples
Post-decline and collapse impact	Impact on successor states Challenges for marginalized groups Changing traditional practices Commercial and social networks

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Reasons for the expansion of the Atlantic slave trade	Growth of maritime commerce Development of plantation agriculture European demand and responses from African states Internal rivalries and warfare
Reasons for the expansion of slavery in East Africa from the late 18th century	Existing trade in enslaved peoples between the Middle East and the Swahili Coast Expansion of Sultanate of Oman into East Africa Rise of Zanzibar Sultanate and clove plantations Escape from British antislavery control in the Atlantic Ocean
Impact of slavery in Africa	Social impact Economic impact Demographic changes Expanding power of African states involved in the slave trade
Resistance to slavery by enslaved peoples	Day-to-day resistance Nature and impact of rebellions Escape, including the establishment of communities of escaped enslaved peoples Legal and political resistance in Africa
Economic reasons for the decline of the slave trade	Industrialization and new technology Rise of legitimate commerce in West Africa Need for labour force in African plantations Reduced productivity of slave labour
Reasons for the abolition of the slave trade	Ideological factors Role of the abolitionist movement Political and legal factors, including 1807 and 1824 Slave Trade Acts The expansion of European colonialism

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Challenges to the Qianlong Emperor	Social factors, including Confucianism and tributary system Political structure under Qianlong Growth of the empire White Lotus and Miao Rebellions
Efforts to “open up” China	Canton trade system British trade missions by George Macartney, William Pitt Amherst and William Napier Opium trade Social and economic impact of opium
Reasons for, and impact of, the Opium Wars	Chinese prohibitions of opium, including role of Lin Zexu European reactions Unequal Treaties of Nanjing (1842), Tianjin (1858) and Convention of Beijing (1860) Political, economic and cultural impact
Reasons for, and impact of, the Taiping Rebellion	Environmental and economic factors Role of Hong Xiuquan Emergence of regional military leaders, including Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang Social impact of Taiping Heavenly Kingdom
Failure of the Qing Dynasty to reform	Leadership of Empress Dowager Cixi and Yixin (Prince Gong) Self-Strengthening Movement First Sino - Japanese War and Treaty of Shimonoseki Hundred Days’ Reform
Decline and fall of the Qing Dynasty	Boxer Rebellion and Boxer Protocol Late Qing Reforms Sun Yixian and Guomindang’s Three Principles Xinhai Revolution (1911) and Yuan Shikai

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Impact of the First World War on Japan	Military impact of the conflict Paris Peace Conference and League of Nations Washington Naval Conferences Expansion of Japanese power in the Pacific
Domestic achievements and challenges in the 1920s	Liberal reforms under Taishō Political developments in Shōwa era (from 1926) Ultra nationalist and anti-democratic beliefs, including Black Dragon Society and Imperial Way Faction The Great Depression
Growth of Japanese imperialism	Rising militarism, assassinations and coups Manchuria (1931) and the Second Sino–Japanese War (1937 - 1945) Expansion of empire and the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere Tripartite Pact
Reasons for Japanese defeat in the Second World War	US embargo (1940) and decision to attack Pearl Harbor Military factors Political factors Impact of war on home front
Recovery and growth in post-war Japan	US occupation and reconstruction Reverse Course (1947–1952) Reasons for “economic miracle”, including Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Impact of globalization (1960s–1980s)
Economic, political and social challenges (1989–2020)	“Lost Decade” and economic stagnation Political instability Regional foreign relations Work culture, declining birth rate and ageing population

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Mid-century challenges to the Korean monarchy	Rise of Sedo (factional) politics and the weakening of royal authority Spread of Christianity Threat of Donghak learning Heungseon Daewongun’s reforms (1864 - 1873) and isolation policy
“Opening up” of Korea and regional responses	Treaty of Ganghwa and Japan’s influence King Gojong’s reforms and the role of Queen Min Imo Incident and the return of Daewongun Gapsin Coup and the Chinese decade (1885 - 1894)
Impact of regional rivalries	Donghak Peasant Revolution Gabo reforms (1894 - 1896) First Sino - Japanese War and Treaty of Shimonoseki Triple Intervention and Russian influence
Impact of reforms under the Korean Empire	Gwangmu Reforms (1897 - 1904) Modernization of the state Independence Club (1896 - 1898) Korean resistance to Eulsa Treaty
Impact of Japanese rule	Political impact of Japanese annexation and colonial government Repression and resistance, including Samil Independence Movement (1919) Social impact of assimilation, including education, language and religion Economic developments in banking, industry and infrastructure
Impact of the Second Sino - Japanese War	Social impact, including forced labour, conscription and comfort women Political developments, including growth of nationalism and communism Economic impact of exploitation of industry and resources for Japanese war effort Liberation and establishment of the governments of Kim Il Sung and Syngman Rhee

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Reasons for the emergence of Indian nationalism	1857 uprising British policies in India (1858 - 1885) Violence, including Jallianwala Bagh massacre (1919) Impact of the First World War
Impact of political developments in the British Raj	Emergence of Indian National Congress Partition of Bengal (1905 - 1911) and rise of All-India Muslim League (1906) British political reforms, including Government of India Acts (1919, 1935) Round Table Conferences (1930 - 1932)
Methods used to achieve Indian independence	Non-cooperation and civil disobedience Salt March (1930) Quit India Movement Political negotiations
Leaders and their importance in the independence movement	Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi Jawaharlal Nehru Muhammad Ali Jinnah Subhas Chandra Bose
Reasons for, and impact of, the Partition of India	Rise of Muslim separatism, including “Two-Nation” theory and Lahore Resolution (1940) British political actions, including Cabinet Mission Plan, and role of Louis Mountbatten Migration and violence Experiences of women and different ethnic groups
Challenges in post-independence India	Nehru and nation-building Ethnic and religious conflict Integration of the princely states, including Junagadh, Hyderabad and Kashmir Foreign policy and cross-border conflicts

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Decline of Ottoman power (from circa 1790)	Loss of influence in North Africa Impact of Napoleonic Wars Rise of Muhammad Ali Impact of Greek War of Independence (1821)
Emergence of the “Eastern Question” and increasing European influence	Economic, religious and strategic reasons Impact of Crimean War Impact of Balkan unrest Russo-Turkish War (1877) and Treaties of San Stefano and Berlin
Reasons for, and impact of, Tanzimat reforms (1839-1876)	Political factors Religious factors Social factors Role of individuals, including Abdul Aziz
Emergence and impact of the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP)	Emergence of ideological, political and military factors to 1908 Political reform in the Second Constitutional Era (1908-1913) The 1913 coup d’état and growing nationalism and authoritarianism Treatment of marginalized groups (to 1918)
Impact of conflict on the Ottoman Empire	Italo-Turkish War (1911-1912) and Balkan Wars (1912-1913) First World War, including Arab Revolt (1916-1918) Turkish War of Independence (1919-1923) Treaty of Lausanne (1923), role of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and establishment of the Republic of Turkey
Impact of the rule of Atatürk (1923- 1938)	Political reform Social and cultural reform, including secularization Economic reform Extent and success of opposition

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Growth of European activity in Africa (from circa 1840)	Decline of the Ottoman Empire Traders and expansion of commercial activities Explorers and missionaries Technological innovations
Reasons for emergence of “New Imperialism” in Africa	Economic factors, including demand for raw materials and new markets Strategic factors, including British actions in Egypt and South Africa, and the Suez Canal Political factors, including national rivalries Social factors, including the expansion of Christianity and “civilizing mission”
Vulnerability of African societies to European imperialism	Military weakness Political weakness Collaboration, including treaties between Europeans and African rulers Disunity, including internal conflicts
Causes and impact of the partition of Africa	Berlin Conference (1884-1885) Role of Bismarck “Scramble” for annexation by Belgium, France, Germany, United Kingdom (UK), Italy, Portugal and Spain Political and military disputes between European powers
Reasons for resistance and collaboration	Political leadership Military strength Social factors Impact of colonial rule
Successes and failures of African responses	Military responses Escape and migration Political negotiations and treaties Collaboration

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Impact of the Mineral Revolution (from 1867)	Social and economic effects of mining Migration of white miners on the Transvaal and growth of Boer nationalism Impact of migration of Africans to mines and cities Exploitation of African labour and the beginnings of segregation
Outbreak and impact of the South African War (1899-1902)	Economic and political causes of the conflict Military impact, including guerrillas and concentration camps Political and economic impact Impact on society and Boer identity
Emergence and development of apartheid	Segregation policies pre-1948 National Party victory in 1948 Petty and Grand Apartheid policies Subjugation and violence
Growth and development of resistance to apartheid	African National Congress (ANC) and Nelson Mandela Changing role of non-violence, civil disobedience, violent resistance and armed struggle Influence of Steve Biko and Black Consciousness Impact of Sharpeville, Soweto and township violence
Impact of international opposition and changing attitudes	Global opposition, including sporting and cultural boycotts Economic sanctions, boycotts and divestments End of the Cold War Role of other African states
Successes and failures in the end of apartheid	Contributions of Mandela and Frederik Willem de Klerk Importance of the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) and 1994 elections Truth and Reconciliation Commission Ongoing political and economic challenges

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Impact of colonialism in the Congo Free State (1885-1908) and Belgian Congo (1908-1960)	Political impact Economic impact Experiences of Indigenous peoples Emergence and growth of nationalism
Impact of German and Belgian colonialism in Rwanda (1885-1962)	Economic impact Institutionalization of identity under Kigeli IV Rwabugiri Impact of social engineering and identity cards under Belgian rule Experiences of Indigenous peoples
Reasons for the post-independence civil war in Rwanda	Purges of the Tutsi during the early independence period Economic disparities and environmental crisis The rise of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and the outbreak of civil war Arusha Accords and assassination of Juvénal Habyarimana
Emergence and impact of Mobutu on Zaire	Congo Crisis (1960-1965) Maintenance of power, including elimination of opposition and the cult of personality Economic policies, including plundering of the state First Congo War (1996-1997)
Reasons for, and impact of, the Rwandan genocide (1994)	Interahamwe and media propaganda Mass killings and arrival of the RPF Response of the international community International Criminal Court for Rwanda and other reconciliation initiatives
Reasons for, and impact of, the Second Congo War (1998-2003)	Armed intervention by neighbouring states and assassination of Laurent Kabila Control of minerals, including role of foreign governments and companies M23 and other militia groups Atrocities of war, including crimes against women and children

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Methods used to establish and maintain colonial political authority	Assimilation Direct rule Indirect rule Settler colonies
Methods used to maintain power	African involvement in colonial administration Legal methods Role of internal security Coercion and violence
Impact of colonial economic policies	Changes to land use and agriculture Voluntary and forced African involvement in the economy Development of technology and infrastructure Changes in regional and global trade
Social and cultural continuity and change under colonialism	African responses to religious changes, including mission churches and Africanist churches Changes to traditional social structures, including urbanization and migration Indigenous and national identity Attitudes between colonizers and colonized
Impact of colonial rule on different social groups	Experiences of colonists Experiences of Indigenous elites Experiences of women Experiences of different ethnic groups
Effectiveness of Indigenous resistance to colonial rule	Political and legal actions Cultural resistance Day-to-day resistance Armed rebellion

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Origins of the Arab-Israeli conflict	Zionism and the Balfour Declaration Sykes-Picot and the creation of the Palestine mandate Growth of Arab nationalism Increased Jewish immigration
Reasons for Arab-Jewish tensions (to 1945)	British immigration policy Social, political and economic factors Arab Revolt (1936-1939) Jewish and Arab responses to increased tensions
Reasons for the First Arab-Israeli War (1948)	Impact of the Second World War and Jewish immigration Role of the UK and UN Creation of the state of Israel Role of Jewish and Arab groups and individuals, including David Ben-Gurion and the Arab League
Continuation and escalation of the Arab-Israeli conflict	Military conflicts, including Suez Crisis, 1967 War and 1973 War Creation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and search for support for Palestine Israeli militancy, territorial changes, anti-PLO policies and settlements Palestinian actions, including the First and Second Intifada, and rise of Hamas
Impact of the Arab-Israeli conflict	Political and economic impact Social impact, including migration Experiences of women Experiences of marginalized groups
Attempts to reach a peaceful settlement	Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty (1979) Oslo Peace Process Camp David (2000) Arab Peace Initiative

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Domestic reasons for the emergence of independence movements	Social factors, including racial discrimination and oppression Economic conditions Colonial administration, including involvement of Africans Actions of colonial settlers
External reasons for the emergence of independence movements	Role of ideas Success of movements in other countries Post-war economic and political weaknesses of the colonial power Impact of the Cold War
Emergence and growth of pro- independence political parties	Importance of political leaders and charismatic leadership Political organization Role of strategy and ideology Internal party divisions and divisions caused by rival parties
Importance of non-violence in achieving independence	Campaigning and building a popular support base Protests and strikes Negotiations with the colonial power Political, legal, constitutional and other responses by the colonial power
Importance of armed struggle in achieving independence	Conventional and guerrilla warfare Response of the colonial power Support of other countries Role of military leaders
Impact of independence movements	Political impact, including emergence of new Indigenous leaders Social impacts, including emergence of new forms of identity Experiences of women Experiences of marginalized groups

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Reasons for the 1979 revolution in Iran	Mohammad Mosaddeq and the 1953 coup Mohammad-Reza Shah and the White Revolution External influence, including the role of the UK and USA Religious factors, including the role of Ruhollah Khomeini
Impact of post-revolution Iran	Political and economic developments Foreign relations Experiences of women Experiences of marginalized groups
Impact of the Iran-Iraq War (1980- 1988)	Economic impact Social impact Regional and global involvement in the conflict Impact of technology, including Iraqi use of chemical weapons
Impact of Gamal Abdel Nasser’s rule in Egypt (from 1954)	Domestic politics, including authoritarianism Economic transformation and modernization Social and cultural change Regional politics, including Pan-Arabism, the Suez Crisis and relations with Israel
Reasons for the 2011 Egyptian revolution	Presidency and assassination of Anwar Sadat Hosni Mubarak’s presidency and the impact of domestic policies Economic and demographic challenges External factors
Impact of Lebanese Civil Wars (1975-1990) on regional politics	Initial involvement of PLO Deepening of conflict with involvement of Syria, Israel and Iran Foreign and UN involvement Establishment of Hezbollah

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Reasons for the emergence of authoritarian rule	Impact of colonial legacies Results of independence and resistance movements Role of individuals, including personal ambition Role of ideology
Move to multi-party democracy in the 1980s and 1990s	Foreign influence Failures of single-party states Ideological factors Role of popular and elite support for reform
Reasons for economic growth and development (to 2020)	Political stability and reform Role of individuals and entrepreneurs Investment and development of infrastructure Impact of technology
Social challenges (to 2020)	Health, including disease and famine Education, including scale of illiteracy Demographics Gender inequality and marginalized groups
Causes of coups d’état and civil wars	Ethnic tensions Economic problems, including inequality Environmental factors Failures of civilian governments
Impact of external involvement	International rivalries and destabilization by outside forces Neocolonialism African Union UN

Inquiry topic	Specified content
Reasons for emergence	Military factors, including wars of conquest Economic factors Political factors, including alliances Environmental factors
Importance of leaders in the development of Asian kingdoms and empires	Establishment of kingdom or empire Consolidation and maintenance of power Domestic and foreign success Responding to challenges
Domestic developments	Social structures Culture and the arts Religious and/or spiritual beliefs Science and technology
Role of foreign relations in the development of Asian kingdoms and empires	Alliances and diplomacy Cultural, artistic and scientific exchange of ideas Economic relations, including land and/or maritime trading routes Conflict
Maintenance of power	Political factors Social factors Military factors Role of religious and/or spiritual beliefs
Challenges and decline	Political factors, including factionalism Social and economic factors Conflict and rebellions Environmental factors