History - Year 12

History Overview

Term 1 : Russia - The February Revolution

Students begin their study of Russia history by assessing the political and economic condition of Russia by 1917, before exploring the causes, events and consequences of the February Revolution that saw 300 years of Tsarist autocracy brought to an end.

  1. Students will complete one essay question on the causes of the February Revolution and one group presentation on opposition groups in Russia. Students will also be assessed via knowledge quizzes that assess retention of specific information.

Autocracy

A system of government in which supreme power over a state is concentrated in the hands of one person

Dual Authority

Describes a situation in the wake of the February Revolution where two powers coexisted; the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet

Duma

A Russian parliament set up in the wake of the 1905 revolution. It effectively made Russia a constitutional monarchy

Kadets

The Constitutional Democratic Party was a centrist, liberal political led by Pavel Milyukov

Petrograd

Now known as St Petersburg, it has been the capital of the Russia under several different names. It was the scene of February Revolution

Provisional government

Established following Nicholas’ abdication, the intention of was the organization of elections to the Russian Constituent Assembly. Led by Prince Lvov and later Kerensky

Social Democrats

Founded on Marxist principles in 1898, the party split into two factions in 1903. The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin and the Mensheviks led by Martov

Social Revolutionaries

Political party formed in 1901. Their goal was to improve the position of the peasantry and in the early 20th century had engaged in acts of terrorism.

Soviet

Refers to a workers council, established in the wake of the February revolution. The most prominent was the Petrograd Soviet.

Tsar

Name for the Russian monarch. The House of Romanov had been on the Russian throne since 1619.Nicholas II would be the last Tsar of Russia

Zemvsta

An institution of local government set up during the great emancipation reform of 1861

  • Spiritual
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  • Social
  • Cultural
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Term 2: Russia - The October Revolution

Students continue their study of the revolutionary year of 1917 by exploring the events that led to the Bolshevik seizure of power in the October Revolution and how power was consolidated in the immediate aftermath. Students will also explore some of the great historical controversies of the period, such as the debate as to whether the October revolution was a coup d’état or a popular revolution from below.

  1. Students will complete one source question on the October revolution. Students will also be assessed via knowledge quizzes that assess retention of specific information.

April Thesis

series of ten directives issued by the Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin upon his return to Petrograd, often resembled in ‘Peace, land and bread’

Central Committee

From 1912, this leading group determined the policy objectives of the Bolsheviks. It comprised 21 members in 1917.

July Days

Period of spontaneous demonstrations in Petrograd, in July1917. by soldiers, sailors, and l workers engaged against the Provisional Government.

Kerensky offensive

Called by the then War Minister, Kerensky, the June 1917, offensive was the last attempt by Russia to push back their Germany and Austro-Hungary

Kornilov Affair

An attempted military coup d'état by, General Lavr Kornilov. Kerensky armed the Red Guard in order to put the rebellion down.

Military Revolutionary Committee

The body that organised the October. It was set up 16th October 1917 under Trotsky and Dzerzhinsky

Red Guards

Paramilitary volunteer formations consisting mainly of workers, peasants, cossacks and partially of soldiers for "protection of the soviet power".

Winter Palace

The seat of the Russian monarchy, it was stormed by the Red Guard on 26th October and feel to the Bolsheviks.

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Term 3: Russia - The consolidation of power

Having studied the Revolution, in term 3, students will investigate how the Bolsheviks consolidated their rule in the years up to 1924. This will largely focus on the on the causes and course of the Civil War. In addition, students will assess the impact of seminal events such as the Kronstadt rising, whilst also reviewing Bolshevik economic policies, including the introduction of the NEP.

  1. Students will complete one essay question on the Civil War. Students will also be assessed via knowledge quizzes that assess retention of specific information.

Cheka

The much-feared Bolshevik security agency, formed to identify and eradicate counter-revolutionary activity

Constituent Assembly

Elected body designed to create a new Russian constitution in the aftermath of the Revolution. Dissolved by the Bolsheviks in January 1918

Gosplan

The state general Planning Commission from 1921.It helped co-ordinate economic development. Co-existed alongside the Veshenka.

Greens

Armed peasant groups which fought against all Reds and Whites in the Civil War. Politically and ideologically neutral, but at times associated with the Socialist-Revolutionary Party, leaders included Nestor Makhno

Kronstadt Rebellion

A 1921 insurrection of Soviet sailors, soldiers and civilians against the Bolshevik government in the Russian port city of Kronstadt

Kulak

Loosely defined as a well-off peasant, Kulaks were targeted by the Bolsheviks as class enemies.

NEP

Economic policy of the Soviet Union proposed by Lenin in 1921 as a temporary measure. It included elements of free market capitalism

Nomenklatura

category of people who held various key administrative positions in the bureaucracy, running all spheres of those countries' activity: positions were granted only with approval by the communist party of each country or region.

Red Army

Replaced the Red Guards as the fighting force of the Bolsheviks. Inspirationally led by Leon Trotsky

Sovnarkom

Cabinet, made up of key government ministers, who effectively ran the country. The chairman of the council was head of government

State Capitalism

A ‘compromise’ economy which embraced some elements of socialism by imposing a degree of state control, yet retained elements of capitalism

Tambov REvolt

One of the largest peasant rebellions challenging the Bolshevik regime during the Civil War. Took place in Tambov 300 miles south of Moscow

Veshenka

Supreme Economic Council, responsible for state industry in the period 11917-1932.

War communism

Political and economic system adopted by the Bolsheviks in the Civil War in order to keep the Red army provided with food and weapons.

Whites

An uncoordinated collection of political groups hostile to the Bolsheviks. Leaders included the likes of Denekin.

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Term 4: Russia the power struggle

Upon Lenin’s death in 1924 an intriguing power vacuum was left at the heart of Russian government. Students will analyse the reasons why Stalin, a seemingly unlikely outsider, became Lenin’s heir to the Bolshevik throne, exploring the significance of personality, policy and political manoeuvring in the rise to power of the ‘grey blur’.

  1. Students will complete one source question on the Bolshevik Power Struggle. Students will also be assessed via knowledge quizzes that assess retention of specific information.
Ban on Factions

Initiated by Lenin in 1921 it allowed for centralisation of the party as disagreement was outlawed. It would be used by Stalin in the Power Struggle against his rivals.

Bureaucratic centralism

Government controlled from the centre; this includes the central appointment of district officers and party officials (the bureaucracy)

Collectivisation

Farming in a collective – a single unit, usually consisting of a number of farms, which were worked by the community under the supervision of the state.

Cult of Lenin

After his death in 1924, Lenin was immortalised in Bolshevik propaganda. A physical embodiment existed in the form of a mausoleum in Red square

Great turn

Stalin’s shift away from the NEP at the end of the 1920’s and the introduction of collectivization and command economy.

Old Bolsheviks

Those who had been Bolshevik party members since before 1917.Included at least 40’000 people and included the likes of Kamenev

Permanent Revolution

Ideology promoted by Trotsky that adhered to classical Marxist belief that Socialism should be established globally

Socialism in one country

The concept that efforts should be concentrated on building a socialist state in the USSR. Championed by Stalin during the 1920’s

Will and Testament

After a series strokes, Lenin outlined his thoughts on succession. It detailed Lenin’s misgivings about Stalin, who was able to supress it.

  • Spiritual
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Term 5: NEA Ireland 1798-1848,

For their NEA, students must produce an approximately 4000 word essay on a period of 100 years. Our chosen period is Ireland 1798-1916. In term 5 students will begin their exploration of Irish history with the 1798 Rebellion under Wolfe Tone and the impact of Ireland’s union with Great Britain in 1801. Students will continue to explore Irish history by surveying the significance of key individuals, such as Daniel O’Connell, before studying the event that defines Irish history; The Great Famine.

  1. Students will also be assessed via knowledge quizzes that assess retention of specific information. Students will submit a plan, including their three primary sources before the end of the summer term.
Act of union

1801 act of the Parliament of Great Britain and the Parliament of Ireland which united the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland

Catholic Emancipation

The right of Catholics to vote and sit in parliament. Achieved in 1829 after a campaign led by Daniel O’Connell

Catholic rent

A subscription that was to be paid monthly to the Catholic Association in Ireland. It amounted to one penny each month.

Great Famine

A period of mass starvation and disease in Ireland from 1845 to 1852 caused by the Potato disease, blight. It led to the death and displacement of an estimated 1.5 million Irish people.

Monster meeting

Mass meetings staged by O’Connell in the 1840’s, aimed to mobilise support for repeal. The meeting at Tara in 1843 was attended by an estimated 750’000 people.

Repeal

The campaign of passive resistance led by O’Connell in the 1840’s that aimed to end the Union of Great Britain and Ireland.

Tithe

A tax of ten percent on produce or earning that was given to the Church

United Irishmen

A secular organisation, led by Wolfe Tone that with French support staged a widescale rebellion in 1798.

Young Irelanders

A group of romantic nationalists who sought repeal of the Union in the 1840’s. Prominent members included Thomas Davis and the group’s newspaper was called the Nation.

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Term 2: Tudor society, economy and religion in the late fifteenth century.

For the Tudors course, students will focus on the structure of English society, social discontent and rebellions before moving onto the economical cycle of prosperity and depression and the importance of trade. The place of religion in the late fifteenth century: its role and influence in society and the emergence of humanism will also be studied in depth.

  1. Students will also complete an interpretation question on the Tudors. Students will also be assessed via knowledge quizzes that assess retention of specific information.
Extraordinary Revenue

Money raised by the king from additional sources as one-off payments when he faced an emergency, this could be a grant, loan or tax.

Fifteenths and Tenths

Standard form of taxation, calculated in the fourteenth century, paid by town and boroughs to the crown.

Bond

Legal document which bound an individual to another to perform an action or forfeit a specified sum of money if they failed to do so.

Feudal Aid

A right by which the King could impose a tax on their tenants for the knighting of the eldest son or the marriage of the eldest daughter.

Marriage by Proxy

One or both of the individuals being united is not physically present, usually being represented instead by another person.

Intercursus Magnus

Major commercial treaty between England and the Duchy of Burgundy which restored normal trading links.

Intercursus Malus

Trade agreement from 1506, this treaty never became fully operative nd by the following the year trading relationships had been restored on the basis of Intercursus Magnus.

Hanseatic League

Group of free cities originating in the thirteenth century, which came together to form a commercial union with the intention of controlling trade in the Baltic Sea, the league dominated commercial activity in northern Europe from the 13th to the 15th cen

Chantries

Chapels where masses for the souls of the dead took place.

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Term 1: Consolidation of the Tudor dynasty.

For the Tudor option, students will learn about Henry VII's seizure of the throne and consolidation of power after Bosworth. The focus in Term 1 will be on Henry VII's domestic policies, including justice and royal finance and Henry's relations with Scotland and other foreign powers in helping to secure the succession and prevent war.

  1. For the Tudors students will complete one essay: 'Henry VII's consolidation of power in the years 1485 to 1499 was the result of his own personal strengths.'

    Assess the validity of this view.

Tonnage and Poundage

The right to raise revenue for the whole reign from imports and exports

Act of Attainder

This declared the landowner guilty of rebelling against a monarch; the attainted noble lost his title, lands and sometimes his head.

Magnates

A member of higher ranks of the nobility.

Usurper

A person who takes a position by force.

Mercenaries

A professional soldier hired to serve in an army.

Pretenders

A person who claims a title, for example the crown.

Prerogative rights

The rights and powers which the monarch could exercise without requiring the consent of Parliament.

Chamber

Private areas of the court, a key department for the efficient collection of royal revenue.

Privy Chamber

Comprising the close personal servants of the monarch, members had direct access to the monarch and therefore could influence him or her directly.

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Term 3: Tudors the early years of Henry VIII

In Term 3 students will begin their study of the 'Renaissance Prince and King', Henry VIII. An in depth study of his character and aims will enable students to evaluate how successful he was by the end of his reign. This will be followed by an analysis of domestic policies under Wolsey including the Amicable Grant and the Eltham Ordinances.

  1. Students will also complete one essay on Henry VIII's government reforms. Students will also be assessed via knowledge quizzes that assess retention of specific information.
Papal Dispensation

Permission was required from the Pope in order to be exempted from the laws or observances of the Church, considered only in special or unusual circumstances.

Subsidy

Refers to a grant issued by Parliament to the sovereign for State needs, the 1523 subsidy imposed a tax of one shilling in the pound for land worth £50, and one shilling in the pound on personal savings and goods.

Amicable Grant

In 1525 Wolsey ordered the implementation of ‘Amicable Grant’ to raise more money for war, in theory it was to be a freely given gift from his subject to the King.

Annulment

Declaring a marriage legally invalid, it was generally accepted that only the Pope could authorise such a measure.

King's Great Matter

Concerned the annulment f Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon and his desire to marry Anne Boleyn, this was complex and would ultimately lead t England’s break from the Catholic Church.

Praemunire

A Parliamentary statue enacted in 1393 to prevent Papal interference in the rights of the Crown to make appointments to Church office.

Annates

Revenue paid to the pope by a bishop or other cleric on his appointment, they were church taxes collected in England and sent to Rome.

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Term 4: Tudors Foreign relations and securing the succession (Henry VIII)

England's relations with Scotland, Spain and other foreign powers throughout his reign are examined before focusing on how Henry secured the succession in the 1530s and 1540s.

  1. Students will complete an interpretation question on Henry VIII Foreign Policy. Students will also be assessed via knowledge quizzes that assess retention of specific information.
Papal Legate

Personal representative of the Pope in England, for example Wolsey was appointed Papal Legate and this gave him control over the English Church.

Papal Bull

Letter or formal declaration issued by the Pope it is named after the seal (bulla) that was added to the end to authenticate it.

Elites

Select groups that are superior in terms of ability, birth or qualities to the rest of a group or society.

Dissolution of the Monasteries

The destruction and sale of land and buildings owned by the religious communities.

Debasement

Reduction of the silver content of coins and its replacement by base metal, debased coins were regarded with suspicion and as a result merchants and shopkeepers put up their prices which resulted in an increase in the rate of inflation whose impact was gr

Enclosure

An area that is enclosed to enable the landowner to complete sheep farming rather than crop farming.

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Term 5: Economy and religion in the reign of Henry VIII

Students will study English society including the significance of rebellions such as the Pilgrimage of Grace before moving on to the importance of trade and exploration to the English economy. Lastly, the influence of the Renaissance and how this manifested in the reforms of the English Church by 1547 are examined in the last few weeks of the term.

  1. Students will also be assessed via knowledge quizzes that assess retention of specific information. Students will also prepare for the end of year assessment.
Erasmianism

Body of ideas associated with Erasmus and his followers.

Doctrine

A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by the church.

Oxford Reformers

Men such as Grocyn, Linacre and Colet who were amongst the first English Scholars to adopt Humanist ideas and approaches.

  • Spiritual
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