Comprehensive IB History SL & HL Syllabus

Table of Contents

1 PRESCRIBED SUBJECTS (Choose 1 of 5)
2 A. Military leaders
3 B. Conquest and Its Impact
4 C. The Move to Global War
5 D. Rights and Protest
6 E. Conflict and Intervention
7 WORLD HISTORY TOPICS ( Choose 2 of 12)
8 A) Society and Economy (750–1400)
9 B) Causes and Effects of Wars (750–1500)
10 C) Dynasties and Rulers (750–1500)
11 D) Societies in Transition (1400–1700)
12 E) Early Modern States (1450–1789)
13 F) Causes and Effects of Early Modern Wars (1500–1750)
14 G) Origins, Development and Impact of Industrialization (1750–2005)
15 H) Independence Movements (1800–2000)
16 I) Emergence and Development of Democratic States (1848–2000)
17 J) Authoritarian States (20th century)
18 K) Causes and Effects of 20th-Century Wars
19 L) The Cold War: Superpower Tensions and Rivalries (20th century)
20 DEPTH STUDIES (HL only, Choose 1 of 4)
21 History of Africa and the Middle East
22 History of the Americas
23 History of Asia and Oceania
24 History of Europe

Syllabus Component	Teaching hours
Syllabus Component	SL	HL
Prescribed subjects 1. Military leaders 2. Conquest and its impact 3. The move to global war 4. Rights and protest 5. Conflict and intervention	40	40
World history topics 1. Society and economy (750–1400) 2. Causes and effects of medieval wars (750–1500) 3. Dynasties and rulers (750–1500) 4. Societies in transition (1400–1700) 5. Early Modern states (1450–1789) 6. Causes and effects of Early Modern wars (1500–1750) 7. Origins, development and impact of industrialization (1750–2005) 8. Independence movements (1800–2000) 9. Evolution and development of democratic states (1848–2000) 10. Authoritarian states (20th century) 11. Causes and effects of 20th-century wars 12. The Cold War: Superpower tensions and rivalries (20th century)	90	90
HL options: Depth studies 1. History of Africa and the Middle East 2. History of the Americas 3. History of Asia and Oceania 4. History of Europe		90
Internal assessment Historical investigation	20	20
Total teaching hours	150	240

PRESCRIBED SUBJECTS (Choose 1 of 5)

A. Military leaders

Case Study 1: Genghis Khan (1200 -1227)	Leadership	Rise to power; uniting of rival tribes Motives and objectives; success in achieving those objectives Reputation: military prowess; naming as Genghis Khan (1206) Importance of Genghis Khan’s leadership to Mongol success
	Campaigns	Mongol invasion of China: attacks on the Jin dynasty; capture of Beijing (1215) Mongol invasion of Central Asia and Iran; Mongol invasion of Khwarezmia (1219–1221) Mongol military technology, organization, strategy and tactics
	Impact	Political impact: administration; overthrowing of existing ruling systems; establishment of Mongol law/Yassa; move towards meritocracy Economic impact: establishment, enhancement and protection of trade routes Social, cultural and religious impact: population displacement; terror, looting and murdering; raiding and destruction of settlements; religious, cultural and technological exchange; religious freedom under the Mongols
Case Study 2: Richard I of England (1173 – 1199)	Leadership	Rise to power: revolt of Richard I and his brothers against Henry II (1173–1174) Reputation: military prowess; chivalry; “Richard the Lionheart” Motives and objectives: defence and recovery of the French lands; defence of the crusader states and recovery of lost territory; success in achieving those objectives
	Campaigns	Occupation of Sicily (1190–1191); conquest of Cyprus (1191) Involvement in the Third Crusade (1191–1192) The course, outcome and effects of Richard I’s campaigns in France, the Mediterranean and the Middle East
	Impact	Political impact in England: absence of the king; political instability; revolt of John and Philip in Richard’s absence Political impact in France: growth in prestige and strength of the Capetian monarchy; expansion of royal control Economic impact: raising money for campaigns; taxation of clergy; raising of the ransom after his capture and imprisonment by Leopold V, Duke of Austria and Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor (1193) Social, cultural and religious impact: anti-Jewish violence; treatment of Muslim prisoners during the Third Crusade

B. Conquest and Its Impact

Case Study 1: The Final Stages of Muslim Rule in Spain	Context and Motives	Political context in Iberia and Al-Andalus in the late 15th century; internal conflicts and alliances in Granada in the late 15th century Social and economic context in Iberia and Al-Andalus in the late 15th century; coexistence of population; intercultural exchange; economic decline; heavy taxation Motives: political motives; religious motives and the role of the church
	Key events and Actors	The Granada War and the conquest of Granada (1482–1492) Treaty of Granada (1491); Alhambra decree (1492) Key actors: Fernando de Aragón and Isabel de Castilla; Abu Abdallah, last king of Granada; Tomás de Torquemada
	Impact	Social and demographic changes; persecution, enslavement and emigration; new institutions: encomienda, fueros Forced conversions and expulsions; Marranos, Mudéjars The Spanish Inquisition
Case Study 2: The Conquest of Mexico and Peru (1519–1551)	Context and motives	Political and economic motives for exploration and conquest Religious arguments for the conquest
	Key events and actors	Hernán Cortés and the campaign against the Aztec Empire; alliances with indigenous populations Francisco Pizarro and the campaign against the Incas; alliances with indigenous populations Key actors: Diego de Almagro, Malinche, Atahualpa, Moctezuma II; Bartolomé de las Casas; Juan Gines Sepúlveda
	Impact	Social and economic impact (including trade) on indigenous populations; the encomienda and Mita systems Causes and effects of demographic change; spread of disease Cultural impact: religion, language

C. The Move to Global War

Case Study 1: Japanese Expansion in East Asia (1931–1941)	Causes of expansion	The impact of Japanese nationalism and militarism on foreign policy Japanese domestic issues: political and economic issues, and their impact on foreign relations Political instability in China
	Events	Japanese invasion of Manchuria and northern China (1931) Sino-Japanese War (1937–1941) The Three Power/Tripartite Pact; the outbreak of war; Pearl Harbor (1941)
	Responses	League of Nations and the Lytton report Political developments within China—the Second United Front International response, including US initiatives and increasing tensions between the US and Japan
Case Study 2: German and Italian Expansion (1933–1940)	Causes of Expansion	Impact of fascism and Nazism on the foreign policies of Italy and Germany Impact of domestic economic issues on the foreign policies of Italy and Germany Changing diplomatic alignments in Europe; the end of collective security; appeasement
	Events	German challenges to the post-war settlements (1933–1938) Italian expansion: Abyssinia (1935–1936); Albania; entry into the Second World War German expansion (1938–1939); Pact of Steel, Nazi–Soviet Pact and the outbreak of war
	Responses	International response to German aggression (1933–1938) International response to Italian aggression (1935–1936) International response to German and Italian aggression (1940)

D. Rights and Protest

Case Study 1: Civil Rights Movement in the United States (1954–1965)	Nature and Characteristics of Discrimination	Racism and violence against African Americans; the Ku Klux Klan; disenfranchisement Segregation and education; Brown versus Board of Education decision (1954); Little Rock (1957) Economic and social discrimination; legacy of the Jim Crow laws; impact on individuals
	Protests and Action	Non-violent protests; Montgomery bus boycott (1955–1956); Freedom Rides (1961); Freedom Summer (1964) Legislative changes: Civil Rights Act (1964); Voting Rights Act (1965)
	The Role and Significance of Key Actors/Groups	Key actors: Martin Luther King Jr; Malcolm X; Lyndon B Johnson Key groups: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC); the Nation of Islam (Black Muslims)
Case Study 2: Apartheid South Africa (1948–1964)	Nature and Characteristics of Discrimination	“Petty Apartheid” and “Grand Apartheid” legislation Division and “classification”; segregation of populations and amenities; creation of townships/forced removals; segregation of education; Bantustan system; impact on individuals
	Protests and Action	Non-violent protests: bus boycotts; defiance campaign, Freedom Charter Increasing violence: the Sharpeville massacre (1960) and the decision to adopt the armed struggle Official response: the Rivonia trial (1963–1964) and the imprisonment of the ANC leadership
	The Role and Significance of Key Actors/Groups	Key individuals: Nelson Mandela; Albert Luthuli Key groups: the African National Congress (ANC); the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the MK (Umkhonto we Sizwe—“Spear of the Nation”)

E. Conflict and Intervention

Case Study 1: Rwanda (1990–1998)	Causes of the Conflict	Ethnic tensions in Rwanda; the creation of the Hutu power movement and the Interahamwe; role of the media Other causes: economic situation; colonial legacy Rwandan Civil War (1990–1993); assassination of Habyarimana and Ntaryamira (1994)
	Course and Interventions	Actions of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and Rwandan government; role of the media Nature of the genocide and other crimes against humanity; war rape Response of the international community; the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR); reasons for inaction; role of France, Belgium and the US
	Impact	Social impact; refugee crisis; justice and reconciliation International impact; establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (1994) Political and economic impact; RPF-led governments; continued warfare in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
Case Study 2: Kosovo (1989–2002)	Causes of the Conflict	Ethnic tensions between Serbs and Kosovar Albanians; rising Albanian nationalism Political causes: constitutional reforms (1989–1994); repression of the Albanian independence campaign Role and significance of Slobodan Milosevic and Ibrahim Rugova
	Course and Interventions	Actions of Kosovo Liberation Army, Serbian government police and military Ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity; significance of the Račak massacre Response of the international community; response of the UN; NATO bombing campaign; Kosovo Force (KFOR)
	Impact	Social and economic consequences; refugee crisis; damage to infrastructure Political impact in Kosovo; election of Ibrahim Rugova as president (2002) International reaction and impact; International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY); indictment of Milosevic

WORLD HISTORY TOPICS ( Choose 2 of 12)

A) Society and Economy (750–1400)

Society and Economy	Changes in social structures and systems Impact of population change; impact of famines and disease Role and status of women in society: economic and non-economic roles Development of trading routes and economic integration; development of different types of taxation, including the social and economic impact of taxation Changes in travel and transportation
Cultural and Intellectual Developments	Role and significance of key individuals Factors affecting the transmission of ideas and cultures Significance and impact of artistic and cultural developments; developments in architecture Developments in science and technology
Religion and Society	Social and economic influence of religious institutions Religious leaders: role and status of religious leaders in government and administration; disputes between rulers and religious leaders Treatment of religious minorities; religious persecution Spread of religion

B) Causes and Effects of Wars (750–1500)

Types and Causes of Conflict	Dynastic, territorial and religious disputes Economic causes, competition for resources Political causes Religious causes Long-term, short-term and immediate causes
Course, Practices and Outcomes	Role and significance of leaders Mobilisation of human and economic resources Logistics, tactics and organisation of warfare Role and significance of women
Effects	Conquest, boundary and dynastic changes Successes and failures of peacemaking Political impact: short-term and long-term Economic, social, religious and cultural changes Demographic changes and population movements

C) Dynasties and Rulers (750–1500)

Dynasties and Rulers	Individual rulers: nature of power and rule; aims and achievements Methods used to legitimize, consolidate and maintain rule Expansion of dynasties/kingdoms: reasons for expansion; methods used to expand power; invasion and settlement
Law, Governing Institutions and Administration	Methods of government and administration Effects of religious and secular law Administration and interpretation of law Role and duties of officials; role of nobility and the elite
Challenges	Successes and failures of dynasties and rulers Internal and external challenges to power and the methods used to address them Rebellion and/or political opposition; rivalries and issues of succession

D) Societies in Transition (1400–1700)

Social and Economic Change	Changing social structures and systems; role of women in society Population expansion and movements Treatment of minority or indigenous peoples Economic change: development of, and changing patterns of, trade; role and impact of merchants and travellers
Cultural and Intellectual Change	Artistic, cultural and intellectual movements Cross-cultural exchange Scientific and technological developments; social and cultural impact of those developments Role and significance of key intellectual/scientific figures
Religious Change	Religion and the state: interactions and relationships; religion as a support or a challenge to the state Religious expansion and conversion Religious division, conflict, discrimination and persecution

E) Early Modern States (1450–1789)

Nature of Power and Rule	States in ascendancy and states in decline Methods and models of government; reasons for changes in political structures/political organization; domestic policies; treatment of subjects Individual rulers: ideology; nature of rule; ambition and achievements; legitimacy; successes and failures
Expansion	Territorial expansion via assimilation and/or unification; political, economic and religious rationale for expansion; political organization, and structures and methods of government Colonial and/or imperial expansion; political, economic and religious rationale for expansion and acquisition of territory; political organization, and structures and methods of government
Conflicts and Challenges	Methods of maintaining power within states; treatment of opposition Support and opposition; challenges to power and how successfully those challenges were overcome Rivalries and tensions; issues of succession Challenges to colonial rule: resistance, rebellions and their impact; the colonial race—competition and conflict

F) Causes and Effects of Early Modern Wars (1500–1750)

Causes of Conflicts	Ideological and political causes Economic causes; competition for resources Religious causes Short- and long-term causes
Practices and Impact on Outcome	Role and significance of leaders Mobilisation of human and economic resources Organisation of warfare; land and sea strategies Significance of technological developments Influence and involvement of foreign powers
Effects	Peacemaking: successes and failures Economic, political and territorial impact Social and religious impact Demographic changes and population movements

G) Origins, Development and Impact of Industrialization (1750–2005)

The Origins of Industrialization	The causes and enablers of industrialization; the availability of human and natural resources; political stability; infrastructure Role and significance of technological developments Role and significance of individuals
The Impact and Significance of Key Developments	Developments in transportation Developments in energy and power Impact of technological developments: exploitation of natural resources; introduction of new products Changing patterns of production: mass production Developments in communications
The Social and Political Impact of Industrialization	Urbanisation and the growth of cities and factories Labour conditions; organisation of labour Political representation; opposition to industrialization Impact on standards of living; disease and life expectancy; leisure

H) Independence Movements (1800–2000)

Origins and Rise of Independence Movements, Upto the Point of Independence	Development of movements: role and relative importance of nationalism and political ideology Development of movements: role and relative importance of religion, race, social and economic factors Wars as a cause and/or catalyst for independence movements Other internal and external factors fostering growth of independence movements
Methods Used and Reason for Success	Methods of achieving independence (including violent and non-violent methods) Role and importance of leaders of independence movements The role and relative importance of other factors in the success of independence movements
Challenges Faced in the First 10 Years, and Responses to the Challenges	Challenges: political problems; ethnic, racial and separatist movements Social, cultural and economic challenges Responses to those challenges, and the effectiveness of those responses

I) Emergence and Development of Democratic States (1848–2000)

Emergence of Democratic States	Conditions that encouraged the demand for democratic reform: aftermath of war and/or political upheaval; political, social and economic factors; external influences The role and significance of leaders Development of political parties, constitutions and electoral systems; the significance of those developments in the emergence of democracy
The Development of Democratic States	Factors influencing the evolution of democratic states: immigration; ideology; economic forces; foreign influences Responses to, and impact of, domestic crises Struggle for equality: suffrage movements; civil protests
Aims and Results of Policies	Social and economic policies and reforms: education; social welfare; policies towards women and minorities; the distribution of wealth The impact on the population of changing social and economic policies Cultural impact; freedom of expression in the arts and media

J) Authoritarian States (20th century)

Emergence of Authoritarian States	Conditions in which authoritarian states emerged: economic factors; social division; impact of war; weakness of political system Methods used to establish authoritarian states: persuasion and coercion; the role of leaders; ideology; the use of force; propaganda
Consolidation and Maintenance of Power	Use of legal methods; use of force; charismatic leadership; dissemination of propaganda Nature, extent and treatment of opposition The impact of the success and/or failure of foreign policy on the maintenance of power
Aims and Results of Policies	Aims and impact of domestic economic, political, cultural and social policies The impact of policies on women and minorities Authoritarian control and the extent to which it was achieved

K) Causes and Effects of 20th-Century Wars

Causes of War	Economic, ideological, political, territorial and other causes Short-term and long-term causes
Practices of War and their Impact on the Outcome	Types of war: civil wars; wars between states; guerrilla wars Technological developments; air, naval and land warfare The extent of the mobilisation 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 impact: short-term and long-term Economic, social and demographic impact; changes in the role and status of women

L) The Cold War: Superpower Tensions and Rivalries (20th century)

Rivalry, Mistrust and Accord	The breakdown of the Grand Alliance and the emergence of superpower rivalry in Europe and Asia (1943–1949): role of ideology; fear and aggression; economic interests; a comparison of the roles of the US and the USSR The US, USSR and China—superpower relations (1947–1979): containment; peaceful co-existence; Sino-Soviet and Sino-US relations; detente Confrontation and reconciliation; reasons for the end of the Cold War (1980– 1991): ideological challenges and dissent; economic problems; arms race
Leaders and Nations	The impact of two leaders, each chosen from a different region, on the course and development of the Cold War The economic, social and cultural impact of the Cold War on two countries, each chosen from a different region
Cold War Crises	Cold War crises case studies: detailed study of any two Cold War crises from different regions: examination and comparison of the causes, impact and significance of the two crises