WORLD HISTORY TOPIC 11: CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF 20TH CENTURY WARS

This topic focuses on the causes, practice and effects of war in the 20th century. The topic explores the causes of wars, as well as the way in which warfare was conducted, including types of war, the use of technology, and the impact these factors had upon the outcome. Examination questions for this topic will require students to make reference to specific 20th-century wars in their responses, and some examination questions will require discussion of wars from more than one region of the world. Please note that the suggested examples for this topic include “cross-regional” wars such as the First and Second World Wars. In examination questions that ask students to discuss examples of wars from different regions, students may use these wars in a regional context (for example, the Second World War in the Pacific) but may not then use the same war in a different region (for example, the Second World War in Europe) in the same response.

Topic Prescribed Content Causes of war  Economic, ideological, political, territorial and other causes  Short- and long-term causes Practices of war and their  Types of war: civil wars; wars between states; guerrilla wars impact on the outcome  Technological developments; theatres of war—air, land and sea  The extent of the mobilization of human and economic resources  The influence and/or involvement of foreign powers Effects of war  The successes and failures of peacemaking  Territorial changes  Political repercussions  Economic, social and demographic impact; changes in the role and status of women

Examples to be examined over two years: Mexican Revolution (1910–1920); Russian Civil War (1917–1922); First World War (1914–1918); Second World War (1939–1945); Vietnam (1964–1975); Falklands/Malvinas War (1982);

1. With reference to two examples, each chosen from a different region, assess the factors, which helped and hindered successful guerrilla warfare. (M12)

2. Analyse the economic and social effects of two wars in the second half of the twentieth century. (M12)

3. For what reasons, and in what ways, was guerrilla warfare a decisive factor in the outcome of two twentieth century wars? (N12)

4. In what ways, and for what reasons, did technological developments in air and naval warfare contribute to victory in two twentieth century wars? (N12)

5. “The length and outcome of the civil war was dependent upon outside involvement.” With reference to two twentieth century civil wars, to what extent do you agree with this statement? (M13)

6. In what ways, and for what reasons, did the role and status of women change as a result of twentieth century total war? (M13)

7. Analyse the economic and political causes of two civil wars, each chosen from a different region. (N13)

8. With reference to the period 1945–1965, analyse the factors that helped and hindered attempts to promote collective security. (N13)

9. Evaluate the contribution of external involvement to the outcome of two civil wars, each chosen from a different region. (M14)

10. “The poor military strategy of governments is the principal reason for the success of guerrilla movements.” With reference to two guerrilla wars of the 20th century, how valid is this statement? (M14)

11. Examine the reasons for, and significance of, foreign intervention in two 20th century civil wars, each chosen from a different region. (N14)

12. Examine the successes and failures of collective security in the 10 years after either the First World War or the Second World War. (N14)

13. To what extent did total war become the norm during the 20th century? (M15)

14. Examine the view that economic problems were the longest lasting results of 20th century wars. (M15)

15. Discuss the impact of foreign involvement on the outbreak and the course of two civil wars, each chosen from a different region. (N15)

16. With reference to two wars, each chosen from a different region, examine the importance of air warfare on the outcome of those wars. (N15)

17. “20th century wars had a significant impact on the role and status of women.” Discuss with reference to two wars. (M16)

18. With reference to two examples, each from a different region, examine the contribution of resistance movements to the outcome of war. (M16)

19. Examine the reasons why some 20th-century wars ended with a peace treaty while others did not. (N16)

20. “Technological developments were not significant to the outcome of 20th century wars.” Discuss with reference to two wars. (N16)

21. Examine the role of ideology in causing two 20th-century civil wars, each chosen from a different region. (S)

22. Compare and contrast the role of technology in determining the outcome of two 20th-century wars. (S)

23. “The influence of foreign powers determined the outcome of 20th century civil wars.” Discuss with reference to two wars. (M17)

24. “The effects of war on the role and status of women were mostly beneficial.” Discuss with reference to two wars. (M17)

25. Evaluate the impact of the mobilization of human and economic resources upon the outcome of one 20th-century war. (N17)

26. Evaluate the impact of two 20th-century wars on the role and status of women. (N17)