This unit is a breadth study in change from Paper 2, Section B and it covers the major changes in China in the twentieth century from the 1911 Revolution until the Tiananmen Square massacres of 1989. Areas of study include:

  1. China: 1911-1934
  2. The Triumph of Mao and the CCP: 1934-1949
  3. Change under Mao: 1949-1963
  4. The Impact of the Cultural Revolution
  5. China after Mao: 1969-1989

As this unit is a study of change, it will be assessed in the exam through three questions which require source analysis skills, recall of key information of events as well as a detailed essay question on the causes and nature of change:

  • Question A will focus on source comprehension and is worth three marks. Students are expected to identify three pieces of information that a written source may contain in reference to the question.
  • Question B will focus on explaining key features of events and recalling knowledge. Students are expected to give a detailed explanation/analysis of two features of an event. A key feature could be the causes, what happened or the effects of an event. This question is marked out of seven.
  • Question C will focus on explanation, analysis and judgement of change. Students are expected to give a developed explanation of change across a time period, and to be able to link aspects using precisely selected knowledge. This question should be written link an essay and is worth fifteen marks.