Episodes
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An AS History revision podcast for students studying CIE syllabus 9389. The podcast focuses on how to approach Part (b) questions on Paper 2 of the exam. Beginning with a discussion of the mark scheme, it goes on to suggest a generic essay structure that aims to help you provide a 'sustained judgement' throughout your essay. It also gives other general tips on how to ensure your answer meets the marking criteria. Tips and warnings drawn from common mistakes that students make in the exam are also provided.
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An AS History revision podcast for students studying CIE syllabus 9389. The podcast provides an overview Paper 2, how to make the most of the time in the exam, and then goes on to discuss the way to approach Part (a) questions on Paper 2. It suggests a generic essay structure that you may find helpful, and gives other general tips on how to ensure your answer meets the marking criteria. Advice comes from reading the examiner's report, which gives advice and warnings drawn from common mistakes that students make in the exam.
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Missing episodes?
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An A Level and IB History revision podcast for students studying the French Revolution. This episode charts the rise and fall of the Directory from 1794 to 1799. Beginning with the execution of Robespierre, the Thermidorean Reaction and the onset of the White Terror, it goes on to explore the terms of the Constitution of Year III. The challenges to the Directory are described, and the government's various failures and successes are explained. The episode finishes with Napoleon and the Coup of Brumaire.
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An A Level and IB History revision podcast for students studying the French Revolution. This episode explores the situation in France following the execution of Louis XVI in 1793, and why the Convention introduced the Terror. The podcast considers both external and internal pressures within France at the time, and goes on to explore how and why the Convention chose to respond in such an extreme way to the situation. The role of Maximilien Robespierre is considered in particular, along with an exploration of the reasons for his downfall.
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An IB and A Level History revision podcast for students studying the French Revolution. This episode follows events from the first meeting of the Legislative Assembly in October 1791 to the execution of the King in January 1793. Growing tension between the revolutionaries and the King are explored through Louis's decision to continue vetoing laws, the issuing of the Brunswick manifesto, and the King's imprisonment in the Temple. As well as struggling to fight a war against Austria and Prussia, the revolutionary government was faced with internal struggles. The divisions between the deputies in the newly-elected National Convention are discussed against the backdrop of the September Massacres of 1792. The episode ends with an overview of the trial of Louis and his eventual execution by guillotine on January 21st 1793.
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An A Level and IB History revision podcast for students studying the French Revolution. Beginning with the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, this podcast explores the first phase of the revolution up to the summer of 1791. Beginning with the August Decrees and the Declaration of the Rights of Man, it goes on to explore the challenges faced by the Constituent Assembly. The terms of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy are explained before going on to present an overview of the terms of the Constitution published in September. The podcast then explores the challenges to the revolution including the emigrees, divisions between the Jacobins and the Girondins, and the role of foreign powers. The episode concludes with an overview of the Flight to Varennes and the demonstration at the Champs de Mars.
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An IB and A Level History revision podcast for students studying the French Revolution. Beginning with the impact of the Enlightenment on 18th Century Europe, this podcasts examines a variety of factors that led to the Revolution. Long-term issues that are covered include the Estates System, the emergence of the bourgeoisie and the changing economy, taxation and financial problems, and the effect of the population increase. Shorter term causes that are explained include the impact of King Louis XVI, the Assembly of the Notables, the Estates General, and the Tennis Court Oath. Factors are explained thematically to make it easier to organise ideas during revision, and it�s hoped that this will in turn help students to create a well-structured answer.
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An IB and A Level History revision podcast for students studying the unification of Italy. In this episode we explore Piedmont before and after Cavour's appointment as Prime Minister. Political aspects covered include the Statuto, the Siccardi Laws and the Connubio. Piedmont's involvement in the Crimean War is also addressed, as well as Cavour's relationship with Napoleon III. The podcast ends with a summary of the Plombieres agreement.
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A revision podcast for A Level and IB History students studying the unification of Italy. This episode looks at the causes of the revolutions of 1848, the establishment of the Roman Republic, and the ultimate failure of the revolutions.
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A revision podcast for IB and A Level History students studying the unification of Italy. Covers issues including Italy before Napoleon, the effect of French rule on Italy, the impact of the Vienna Settlement, Mazzini, the revolutions of the 1820s and 1830s and the reforms of Pope Pius IX up to 1847.
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An audio revision guide that looks at the changing balance of power between Austria and Prussia after the revolutions of 1848. Beginning with the Erfurt Union and the subsequent Declaration of Olmutz, the podcast considers the impact of the Crimean War, Austria's failed attempt to join the Zollverein, the war against Italy and the Prussian economic boom on the changing balance of power.
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An audio revision guide presenting an overview of the key factors present in the German states leading to the revolutions of 1848-49. Presented thematically, this podcast considers a range of conservative and progressive factors that contributed to causing the revolutions including Metternich, the nobles, the church, the impact of the railways and industrialisation, peasants, workers, the emerging middle class, and the Zollverein.
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An audio revision guide presenting an overview of the key historiographical arguments regarding responsibility for the First World War. Considers the attitude of Versailles, the inter-war period of shared responsibility, the effect of World War 2, the Fischer Thesis, and post-Fischer revisionism. Historians whose work is briefly mentioned include G. Lowes Dickinson, Sidney Fay, AJP Taylor, Luigi Albertini, Fritz Fischer, Niall Ferguson and John Keegan.
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A podcast revision guide presenting an overview of the July Crisis of 1914 that acted as the spark to World War One. Covers the impact of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by the Black Hand Gang on the diplomatic actions of Germany and Austria-Hungary including the 'blank cheque'. Goes on to describe the subsequent actions of Russia, France and Britain.
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An audio revision guide on Bismarck and the International System he created from 1871 until his resignation in 1890. References to attempts to isolate France, befriend Britain, and create a series of alliances with Russia and Austria-Hungary.
