"What were the causes and consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis?".

Designed for: IBDP History Students (P2, Cold War; P3 Americas).

ActiveHistory Topic Page:

https://www.activehistory.co.uk/Miscellaneous/menus/IB/americas/jfk.php

Overview:

This podcasts stresses that the Cuban Missile Crisies is a great example of a Cold War crisis for Paper 2 IBDP history, as it also brings in two cold war leaders: Kennedy and Khrushchev. It focuses on the CAUSES of the crisis (and who was perhaps most to blame for it); how close it came to war between the superpowers; how and why it was resolved; and with what consequences.

What were the causes and consequences of the Berlin Crisis of 1961?

Designed for:

IBDP History students (Paper 2 Cold War Crisis).

ActiveHistory Topic Page:

https://www.activehistory.co.uk/Miscellaneous/menus/IB/americas/jfk.php

Overview:

The events leading up to the building of the Berlin Wall in 1961 is a great example of a Cold War crisis for Paper 2 IBDP history, as it also brings in two cold war leaders: Kennedy and Khrushchev. This podcast is on the CAUSES of the crisis (and who was perhaps most to blame for it); how close it came to war between the superpowers; how and why it was resolved; and with what consequences.

"How should students approach each of the questions in the Sourcework Paper?"

Designed for: IBDP History students, Paper 1 (sourcework)

ActiveHistory Topic Page: https://www.activehistory.co.uk/ib-history/

Overview: This guide focuses on equipping students with the skills to analyse historical sources within the context of the IB History Paper 1 examination. It uses the topic of "Rights and Protest," specifically the civil rights movement in the United States (1954-1965) and apartheid in South Africa (1948-1964), as case studies. The resource provides methods for interpreting sources, understanding their value and limitations, and synthesising information from various documents with existing knowledge. The guide highlights the importance of source evaluation, comparison, and critical thinking for success in the exam. It offers structured approaches to answering different question types, including those assessing comprehension, evaluation, comparison, and synthesis. The ultimate aim is to enable students to construct well-supported arguments and demonstrate a nuanced understanding of historical events.

"What were the aims and achievements of the US Civil Rights Movement c.1954-1965?"

Designed for: IBDP History Students (Paper 1, Rights and Protest; P3 Americas).

ActiveHistory Topic Page:

https://www.activehistory.co.uk/Miscellaneous/menus/IB/civil_rights/

Overview:

The podcast outlines the African American Civil Rights Movement, focusing on the period up to 1965. The hosts detail the long-standing oppression of African Americans, from slavery to segregation, and the struggle for equality. Significant events, such as the Montgomery bus boycott and the Little Rock Nine, are examined alongside the roles of key organisations like the NAACP, SCLC, and SNCC. Presidential actions by Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson, landmark Supreme Court cases like Brown v. Board of Education, and legislative milestones like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 are also highlighted. The documents reveal both the successes and the limitations of these efforts in achieving meaningful change for African Americans, whilst also illustrating the significant tensions between differing civil rights groups.

"Why was Apartheid introduced in 1948? What was its impact? How effectively was it resisted in the years up to 1964?"

Designed for:

IBDP History students, Paper 1 (Rights and Protest - Apartheid South Africa).

ActiveHistory topic page:

https://www.activehistory.co.uk/Miscellaneous/menus/IB/apartheid_south_africa

Overview:

This podcast explores South Africa's history, culture, and the impact of apartheid. It includes excerpts from short stories and personal accounts, revealing the everyday realities of life in South Africa during this period. These narratives highlight themes of displacement, identity, and the struggle against racial segregation, while another focuses on the history of Indian immigrants in Natal. The sources offer diverse perspectives on the complexities of South African society and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.

"Compare and contrast the rule of two dictators from two different regions"

Designed for: IBDP History Paper 2 (Rule of Authoritarian States)

ActiveHistory Topic Page: https://www.activehistory.co.uk/ib-history/

Overview:

This podcast, based around the revision exercises by Russel Tarr at www.activehistory.co.uk, compares and contrasts the authoritarian rule of Mao Zedong in China and Fidel Castro in Cuba across various facets of governance. It examines their use of force, political strategies including democratic centralism, and cultural control through propaganda and censorship. The podcast also explores their social policies related to healthcare and education, as well as their economic reforms concerning land and industry. Additionally, it analyses the positions of women and treatment of minorities under each regime. Finally, the podcast examines their differing foreign policies, with Castro aligning with the USSR and Mao eventually seeking closer ties with the United States.

"Why, and with what results, did feminist movements emerge in the Americas after 1945?"

Designed for: IBDP (Paper 3 Americas - Civil Rights and social movements in the Americas post-1945)

ActiveHistory Topic Page:https://www.activehistory.co.uk/Miscellaneous/menus/IB/americas/feminism.php

Overview: This podcast focuses on the causes for the rise of feminism in the Americas after World War Two, and the extent of its impact upon the lives of women.

"Analyse the impact of Castro's policies upon the lives of women".

Designed for: IBDP History students (P2: Rule of Authoritarian States; P3: Political developments in Latin America, 1945- 1980)

ActiveHistory Topic Page: https://www.activehistory.co.uk/Miscellaneous/menus/IB/castro/index-rule.php

Overview: This podcast focuses particularly on the impact upon women of Castro's regime, which is a popular point of focus in Paper 2 especially.

"What were the causes of the Korean War?"

Designed for:

IBDP History students (P2: Causes, Practices, Effects of War; P2: Cold War Crises; P3: Cold War and the Americas).

ActiveHistory Topic Page:

https://www.activehistory.co.uk/Miscellaneous/menus/GCSE/Korean_War.php

Overview:This podcast examines the origins and causes of the Korean War, exploring the complex interplay of domestic Korean politics and Cold War superpower rivalries. The hosts cover various perspectives, from the initial North Korean invasion to theories of American provocation and Soviet manipulation. A key theme is the division of Korea and the competing ambitions of Kim Il-sung and Syngman Rhee, both seeking unification. The roles of Truman, Stalin, and Mao are scrutinised, with emphasis on miscalculations, strategic objectives, and ideological motivations. The hosts investigate whether the conflict was primarily a civil war, a superpower proxy war, or a combination of both. Historiographical analyses reveal shifting interpretations over time, influenced by access to new archival evidence and evolving geopolitical contexts.

"What were the causes and consequences of the Red Scare in 1950s America?"

Designed for: Higher Level IBDP History: Paper 3 (History of the Americas).

ActiveHistory Topic Page: https://www.activehistory.co.uk/Miscellaneous/menus/IB/red_scare.php

Overview: This podcast examines the pervasive impact of McCarthyism and the Cold War on American society and politics from the late 1940s through the 1950s. It explores how the fear of communism fuelled widespread suspicion, eroded civil liberties, and stifled dissent. The hosts discuss the actions of key figures like Joseph McCarthy and J. Edgar Hoover, as well as the impact on Hollywood, education, and various social movements. Additionally, US foreign policy shifts, particularly towards Latin America, are scrutinised in light of the overarching anti-communist agenda. Ultimately, the hosts illustrate how the quest to combat communism paradoxically compromised American values and freedoms.