IB History

Part 1: Prescribed Subjects (20th Century)

  • Peacemaking, Peacekeeping – International Relations 1918-36
    • Causes, events, and outcomes of World War I
    • Paris Peace Settlements (Treaty of Versailles, League of Nations)
    • Interwar diplomacy and the League of Nations
  • The Arab-Israeli Conflict 1945-79
    • Origins and development of the conflict
    • Impact of key individuals and international involvement
    • Efforts towards peace and resolution
  • The Vietnam War 1945-75
    • Causes and consequences of the Vietnam War
    • Role of key individuals and groups
    • Impact on Vietnam and international relations

Part 2: HL Option: Authoritarian States (20th Century)

  • The rise of single-party states
    • Causes and methods of rise to power (e.g., Hitler, Stalin, Mao)
    • Consolidation of power and establishment of authoritarian regimes
    • Impact of ideology, propaganda, and repression
  • Dictatorship and conflict
    • Domestic policies and their impact on society (e.g., economic policies, cultural changes)
    • Role of authoritarian leaders in international relations (e.g., alliances, conflicts)

Part 3: Higher Level Extension: History of the Americas

  • Civil Rights Movement in the United States
    • Origins and development of the movement
    • Key figures (e.g., Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X) and their contributions
    • Impact on American society and politics
  • The Mexican Revolution 1910-40
    • Causes and phases of the revolution
    • Role of key individuals (e.g., Emiliano Zapata, Pancho Villa)
    • Social, economic, and political changes resulting from the revolution

Part 4: Historical Investigation (Internal Assessment)

  • Historical Investigation
    • Independent research on a specific historical question or topic
    • Analysis of primary and secondary sources
    • Written report (1,500-2,000 words) assessing the investigation’s significance and conclusions

Assessment

  • External Assessment:
    • Paper 1 (1 hour): Source-based paper on prescribed subjects (e.g., Peacemaking, Peacekeeping; The Arab-Israeli Conflict)
    • Paper 2 (1 hour 30 minutes): Essay questions on HL Option (e.g., Authoritarian States) and History of the Americas
    • Paper 3 (2 hours 30 minutes, HL only): Essay questions on HL Extension (e.g., Civil Rights Movement; Mexican Revolution)
  • Internal Assessment (IA):
    • Historical Investigation (20% of final grade): Research-based essay investigating a historical topic of the student’s choice within the syllabus parameters

Skills Development

  • Historical Thinking Skills: Chronology, causation, continuity and change, significance, perspectives, and evidence
  • Critical Thinking and Analysis: Evaluating historical sources, constructing arguments, and interpreting historical events in context

The IB History syllabus encourages students to engage critically with historical events and develop a nuanced understanding of different perspectives and interpretations. It prepares them for further studies in history and related fields, as well as developing skills in research, analysis, and communication.

Answer Writing For IB History

  1. Understanding the Question

  • Read the question carefully: Identify the key elements such as time period, geographical context, and specific instructions (e.g., ‘to what extent’, ‘evaluate’, ‘analyze’).
  • Underline the command terms: These tell you what the question is asking you to do (e.g., analyze, compare, assess).

  1. Planning Your Answer

  • Outline your response: Create a brief plan that includes your main argument or thesis statement and the key points you will discuss to support it.
  • Consider multiple perspectives: History often involves different interpretations; acknowledge and evaluate them.

  1. Structuring Your Answer

  • Introduction: State your thesis or main argument clearly. Provide brief context and outline the main points you will discuss.
  • Body Paragraphs:

    • Topic Sentence: Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that relates directly to the thesis.
    • Evidence: Use specific historical evidence (events, dates, statistics, quotes) to support your points.
    • Analysis: Explain how the evidence supports your argument. Discuss causes, consequences, motivations, and significance.
    • Counterarguments: Acknowledge alternative perspectives or counterarguments and explain why your interpretation is more valid.

  • Conclusion:

    Summarize your main points and restate your thesis. Reflect on the broader historical significance or implications if relevant.

  1. Writing Tips

  • Be concise and precise: Avoid unnecessary detail or vague statements.
  • Use historical terminology: Demonstrate your understanding of historical concepts and terms relevant to the topic.
  • Link paragraphs logically: Use transitions to connect ideas and maintain a coherent flow.
  • Provide balanced arguments: Even if you have a strong opinion, acknowledge differing viewpoints.

  1. Review and Revise

  • Check for clarity and coherence: Ensure your argument is clear and logical.
  • Verify historical accuracy: Double-check dates, names, and events.
  • Edit for grammar and style: Write in clear, grammatically correct sentences.

Example Answer Structure

Question: To what extent did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to the outbreak of World War II?

Introduction: The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, aimed to bring peace after World War I by imposing harsh penalties on Germany. This essay explores the extent to which the treaty’s provisions contributed to the outbreak of World War II.

Body Paragraphs:

  • Economic Impact: Discuss how reparations and territorial losses destabilized the German economy, leading to social unrest and support for extremist ideologies.
  • Political Repercussions: Analyze how the treaty’s humiliation of Germany fueled nationalist sentiments and undermined the Weimar Republic’s legitimacy.
  • Strategic Considerations: Evaluate whether territorial changes and military restrictions left Germany vulnerable and influenced its aggressive foreign policy.

Conclusion: In conclusion, while the Treaty of Versailles cannot solely be blamed for World War II, its punitive measures significantly contributed to the political, economic, and strategic conditions that facilitated the rise of militarism and aggression in Europe. Understanding its impact underscores the complex interplay of factors that led to the global conflict. By following this structured approach, you can effectively organize your thoughts and present a well-supported argument in your IB History answers.

Planning To Prepare For IB History?

Mad Tribe Academy can significantly support students in covering the IB Economics course comprehensively and aiming for a top score of 7 through several key approaches:

  1. Expert Teachers and Resources: Mad Tribe Academy employs experienced IB Economics educators who are well-versed in the syllabus requirements and examination format. They provide structured lessons and clear explanations of complex economic theories and concepts.

  2. Comprehensive Curriculum Coverage: The academy offers a well-designed curriculum that aligns with the IB Economics syllabus, ensuring all essential topics are covered in-depth. This includes microeconomics, macroeconomics, international economics, and development economics.

  3. Interactive Learning Environment: Classes at Mad Tribe Academy are interactive, encouraging student engagement through discussions, case studies, and real-world examples. This approach helps students understand how economic theories apply to practical scenarios, preparing them for both exams and real-life applications.

  4. Exam Preparation Strategies: To achieve a top score of 7, Mad Tribe Academy provides tailored exam preparation strategies, including:

    • Practice with past exam papers and mock exams to familiarize students with the exam format and timing.
    • Guidance on how to structure and write effective exam answers, including essay writing techniques and mathematical problem-solving skills where applicable.
    • Feedback on practice exams to identify areas of improvement and reinforce understanding.
  5. Personalized Support: Mad Tribe Academy offers personalized support to address individual learning needs and challenges. Whether through extra tutoring sessions, small group workshops, or one-on-one consultations, students receive targeted assistance to enhance their understanding and performance.

  6. Focus on Critical Thinking and Analysis: The academy emphasizes critical thinking skills essential for IB Economics. Students learn to evaluate economic theories, analyze data, and make reasoned arguments, which are crucial for achieving high marks in both internal assessments and external examinations.

  7. Integration of Technology and Resources: Mad Tribe Academy utilizes modern educational technology and resources to supplement learning. This includes access to online databases, interactive simulations, and multimedia resources that enhance understanding and engagement.

  8. Support for Internal Assessment (IA): For the IA component, Mad Tribe Academy guides students through the research process, from selecting a suitable topic to conducting research and writing up findings. This ensures that students produce high-quality IA submissions that meet IB criteria.

In summary, Mad Tribe Academy offers a structured and supportive learning environment that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to excel in IB Economics. By focusing on comprehensive curriculum coverage, personalized support, exam preparation strategies, and fostering critical thinking, the academy aims to help students achieve a score of 7 in their IB Economics exams.