Julie Posted February 13, 2011 Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 (edited) I realized that the mathematics, physics and some other forums have a "help" topic for questions on that subject. So I decided it would be a good idea to start a similar topic to those for History! There is one problem: history (all of you who take history will understand) doesn't ever have any definite answers, except facts like specific years and names. Therefore, this thread would take a little different form: it would be primarily for helping formulate ideas/arguments, giving facts, etc. I'm History HL with a predicted 6/7 (my teacher refuses to tell me which grade he finally decided on). My prescribed topic is Communism in Crisis. If anyone needs any help, I'm willing to help as much as possible. Unfortunately, if you haven't done the same history as me, I cannot help that much (ex. Islamic history) . Therefore, it would be amazing if everyone could contribute to helping others. P.S. for any help on Historical Investigation/Internal Assessments post the question in a new topic. Edited February 13, 2011 by Mahuta ♥ 1 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nametaken Posted February 13, 2011 Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 I'm up for it!! I've done communism, world war 1, world war two, cold war, and know a bit about other periods of history. So I'd be willing to help. And of course, I take History at IB as well!! 1 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bishup Posted February 13, 2011 Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 Hi I'm much more game for doing a History help section. It's so much nicer. Yesterday, our History class, embarked on our very last topic which is the Spanish Civil War so if you want to dabble in my vast sea of intellect, I think it's more of a scorched rock at the moment. But anyway just post here If people want essay plans and some bullet point notes on Spain or China just PM me. 1 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted February 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 (edited) Yay Bishup! The person I always run to for history help I guess I should have mentioned what my class has covered :- Communism in Crisis (so Russian and Chinese, but you guys know that)- Causes Practices and Effects of Wars In-depth: Spanish Civil War, World War I Briefly: Indo-Pakistani Wars, Algerian War and the Falklands War- Nationalist and Independence movements in post-1945 Central and Easter European States- Origins and Development of Authoritarian and Single-Party States (so Mussolini, Weimar Republic, and up until WWII)I've got some good class notes with tones of useful information, also I have (like Bishup) some essay plans and some actual essays that our teacher gave us from past IB exams. Therefore, ff anyone needs help formulating essay outlines or don't know what info to add in their notes, I'm here. Basically, if anyone is having some trouble, I'm more than happy to help out. Edited February 13, 2011 by Julie Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scade Posted February 13, 2011 Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 I'm certainly willing to help also, although I have to say that my exact knowledge towards the IB syllabus might be a bit rusty since I graduated in May 09 and the syllabus has changed since. Anyway I'm currently studying history at Cambridge (and happen to be doing 20th-century European history right now) so I guess I should be able to offer some insights on various topics.In the IB my main area of interest was Russian history from the revolution until the collapse. I also did Spanish civil war, studied the various European dictatorships, etc. I've also covered bits of cold war, as is natural having done loads of Soviet history. Well, now that I think of it we did also do interwar Europe and a bunch of other topics. These things I'm now supplementing with some studies on the First World War here at Cambridge, some more Soviet history and the Spanish civil war once again, then I guess I'll be studying something about the postwar Europe and exciting things like that.So yeah, basically anything about 20th-century Europe should be fine for me. I guess my knowledge of 19th-century Britain wont be of that much use 2 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restless Girl Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 Can anybody please help me discuss this question? "To what extent was USA responsible for the Pacific War?" Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggy Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 Hey Guys:) As the exams are getting closer and closer, I wanted to ask, what kind of topics do you study for History HL paper 3? I thought that Bismarck and WWI are rather good topics, and they're always included in the paper, but maybe you have noticed other good topics?Thanks! Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keel Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 (edited) Hi,Our school has chosen that we do China from 1911-49, China from 1949-2000 and Japan (Taisho democracy to economic miracle). There are always, apparently, a minimum of two questions for each topic. So in theory we would be able to choose 3 questions out of a minimum of six. If those topics you mentioned above are indeed what the IB defines as 'topics' then there should be a minimum of two questions for each in paper 3. I think that’s how it works.Can anybody please help me discuss this question? "To what extent was USA responsible for the Pacific War?"Hi,As I understand it, the US could have been responsible for the Pacific War due to (a) they're isolationism and (b) the way they treated Japan. It could also be argued that the influence they exerted on Britain caused Britain to move away from Japan, this can be seen in the form of the breaking of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance which was terminated under American pressure and the British attempt to align her policy to that of the US. As for isolationism, I'm not really an expert. The Americans enacted the Exclusion Act in 1924 which was seen by the Japanese as a 'slap in the face' as it went against the Gentleman's agreement of 1907. You could also talk about the naval conferences of Washington and London. The oil embargo imposed on Japan by America in 1941 could be said to have been the immediate cause as it placed Japan in a situation where she would either have to give up everything she had so far gained and be humiliated or invade the Dutch East Indies to replenish her oil supplies at the same time declaring war on the US.Hope this helps, check all the stuff I’ve said, it might have got it wrong . Edited May 20, 2011 by Summer Glau Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
laryxle Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Just a word of warning, don't expect to find the questions you want on your exam because they have been in past exams a lot, prepare with the mindset that they won't so you aren't stuck if they aren't on the exam. A good example of this is the November 2010 exam, I expected there to be a question on German unification, because every past paper I had seen had a question on it, yet there wasn't. Similarly, there were no questions on WW1, the peace treaties etc. If I hadn't done a lot of study I on the less frequently asked points of the syllabus I would have been screwed.However, for the May 2011 exam, i'd expect the P3 to be not so bad, although I think your P2 will be quite hard. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keel Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Yes, i agree. Like for ANY exam you should always be prepared for anything. For example, in paper 2 there’s is always an origins question for the cold war. But that doesn't mean it will come up in the next one and even if it does it doesn’t mean it will be a nice one. It would also be unwise going into an exam knowing only about the origins of the Cold War and being faced with a curve-ball origins question when there could be really easy straight forward Korea, Vietnam, Germany or Cuba questions. You should always learn the whole topic, then you can 'specialise' in your own area within the topic. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted February 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 (edited) I'm confused... Your teacher should be deciding what 3 topics you will cover for the Paper 3. The Paper 3 is for the HL options. There are 12 topics to choose from to study for Paper 3. The IBO requires you to do 3 of them. On the exam, there will be about 2 questions for each topic. Therefore, you will have about 6 questions to chose from out of 24.Bismarck and WWI are part of "Causes, practices and effects of wars". It isn't one of the options. The closest topic out of the 12 that come close to Bismarck and WWI is: Unification and consolidation of Germany and Italy 1815‑90 (this actually doesn't include WWI). There is a different topic that includes WWI: European diplomacy and the First World War 1870‑1923. Are these two of the three topics your teacher is having you do?The same topic can be covered for paper 2 and Paper 3, but you need to know A LOT more detailed information for the topics that could appear on Paper 3.You need to find out which 3 topics for your HL options your teacher chose for you! Edited February 17, 2011 by Julie 3 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggy Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Julie > thanks for your detailed post, but actually, our teacher never explained to us which options he chose for us! Even when he explains how to prepare for an exam he says: ,,Well, you may choose around 5 topics such as WWI, Bismarck (in that he means the unification of Germany), Stalin, and etc, just for safety, as you won't know what topics may be in the paper and what may not" ... That's the reason why I asked which topics are usually chosen to write... Fact is, our own teacher has a weak understanding in the IB system.. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted February 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 (edited) Can anybody please help me discuss this question? "To what extent was USA responsible for the Pacific War?"Unfortunately, I don't know anything about the USA involvement. I never studies their history Hopefully someone who studied it can give you some good answered. do you have any ideas for that question yet?Yes, i agree. Like for ANY exam you should always be prepared for anything. For example, in paper 2 there's is always an origins question for the cold war. But that doesn't mean it will come up in the next one and even if it does it doesn't mean it will be a nice one. It would also be unwise going into an exam knowing only about the origins of the Cold War and being faced with a curve-ball origins question when there could be really easy straight forward Korea, Vietnam, Germany or Cuba questions. You should always learn the whole topic, then you can 'specialise' in your own area within the topic.Would you like me to explain it to you- the different topics that would appear on paper 1, 2, or 3? I also have the list of optional topics for paper 3. So you'll know what to study and chose from?By the way, what type of history are you doing, which route? Edited February 18, 2011 by Desy ♫ Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keel Posted February 19, 2011 Report Share Posted February 19, 2011 Would you like me to explain it to you- the different topics that would appear on paper 1, 2, or 3? I also have the list of optional topics for paper 3. So you'll know what to study and chose from?By the way, what type of history are you doing, which route?Hi,I'm taking route 2 HL.Paper 1: The Arab-Israeli Conflict (1945-79)Paper 2: The Cold War (origins, Germany, Cuba, Korea, and Vietnam)Nationalist and Independence Movements in Africa and Asia (Ghana, Vietnam, Algeria)Paper 3: China (1911-1949); China (1949-2000); Post Meiji JapanI'm sure they're all within the topics, otherwise I would need to kill my history teacher . I guess u take route 2 as well? Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted February 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2011 Would you like me to explain it to you- the different topics that would appear on paper 1, 2, or 3? I also have the list of optional topics for paper 3. So you'll know what to study and chose from?By the way, what type of history are you doing, which route?Hi,I'm taking route 2 HL.Paper 1: The Arab-Israeli Conflict (1945-79)Paper 2: The Cold War (origins, Germany, Cuba, Korea, and Vietnam)Nationalist and Independence Movements in Africa and Asia (Ghana, Vietnam, Algeria)Paper 3: China (1911-1949); China (1949-2000); Post Meiji JapanI'm sure they're all within the topics, otherwise I would need to kill my history teacher . I guess u take route 2 as well?Oh haha, yours are within the topics. I meant Eggy Yours are good !Julie > thanks for your detailed post, but actually, our teacher never explained to us which options he chose for us! Even when he explains how to prepare for an exam he says: ,,Well, you may choose around 5 topics such as WWI, Bismarck (in that he means the unification of Germany), Stalin, and etc, just for safety, as you won't know what topics may be in the paper and what may not" ... That's the reason why I asked which topics are usually chosen to write... Fact is, our own teacher has a weak understanding in the IB system..Would you like me to explain it to you- the different topics that would appear on paper 1, 2, or 3? I also have the list of optional topics for paper 3. So you'll know what to study and chose from?By the way, what type of history are you doing, which route? Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abdominal Procrastinator Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 (edited) I don't know if there are any IB history study guide other then the Oxford one. I haven't seen it, but how useful is it? And are there any books with all the syllabus in it? Cause what happens is that my teacher ends up giving use 20 year-old tattered books and flimsy handouts etc... and then we take notes while she lecture and then she gives us more handouts. Edited May 20, 2011 by Summer Glau no text speak Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeaah Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 I don't know if there are any IB history study guide other then the Oxford one. I haven't seen it, but how useful is it? And are there any books with all the syllabus in it? Cuz what happens is that my teacher ends up giving use 20 year-old tattered books and flimsy handouts etc... and then we take notes while she lecture and then she gives us more handouts.We use about 6 different textbooks including the Oxford one so I'm guessing there may not be haha...I don't know about books with the entire syllabus but there's a pretty good 'Pearson Baccalaureate' one specifically for IB we use, its only on the Cold War, but it has like a lot of good source analysis practice in it... if that's any help? Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scade Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 Well to be fair, it would be rather hard to cover all of the IB syllabus plausibly in one book. Which topics are you doing?I mean there are general overviews of 20th-century history like Hobsbawm's The Age of Extremes, which might be useful, but they will hardly serve for the whole of the syllabus, you need go to more details. If reading a bit more on your own and exploring around the topics is not your thing all I can say is tough luck, because that is what you will mostly have to do. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynthia Posted March 3, 2011 Report Share Posted March 3, 2011 Well to be fair, it would be rather hard to cover all of the IB syllabus plausibly in one book. Which topics are you doing?I mean there are general overviews of 20th-century history like Hobsbawm's The Age of Extremes, which might be useful, but they will hardly serve for the whole of the syllabus, you need go to more details. If reading a bit more on your own and exploring around the topics is not your thing all I can say is tough luck, because that is what you will mostly have to do.Can you recommend any works on either Russian history or the Cold War that you think might be useful for IB revision? It's been quite easy to find good books for the other syllabus sections but those two are currently my main problems. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted March 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2011 Well to be fair, it would be rather hard to cover all of the IB syllabus plausibly in one book. Which topics are you doing?I mean there are general overviews of 20th-century history like Hobsbawm's The Age of Extremes, which might be useful, but they will hardly serve for the whole of the syllabus, you need go to more details. If reading a bit more on your own and exploring around the topics is not your thing all I can say is tough luck, because that is what you will mostly have to do.Can you recommend any works on either Russian history or the Cold War that you think might be useful for IB revision? It's been quite easy to find good books for the other syllabus sections but those two are currently my main problems. My favorite books my teacher has had us study from for Russian history are:Reaction and Revolution: Russia 1894-1924 by Michael LynchThe Great Powers 1814-1914 by Eric Wilmot (this isn't all about Russia, but it's got some important stuff)Communist Russia under Lenin and Stalin by Chris Corin and Terry FiehnBut since Scade is in college, I bet he's got some more suggestions... These are just the one's I used (I also used Hobsbawm Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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