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IB Humanities • HL
IB History HL
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1 Military Leaders
1.1 Genghis Khan c12001227
1.2 Richard I of England (11731199)
2 Conquest and its Impact
2.1 Final Stages of Muslim Rule in Spain
2.1.1 Political Context in Iberia and Al-Andalus
2.1.2 Social and Economic Context in Late 15th-century Iberia
2.1.3 Religious and Political Motives
2.1.4 The Granada War
2.1.5 Treaty of Granada and Alhambra Decree
2.1.6 Post-conquest Social and Demographic Changes
2.1.7 Religious Persecution and the Spanish Inquisition
2.2 The Conquest of Mexico and Peru (1519–1551)
3 The Move to Global War
3.1 Japanese Expansion in East Asia (1931–1941)
3.1.1 Rise of Japanese Nationalism and Militarism
3.1.2 Japanese Domestic Issues (early 20th century)
3.1.3 Political Instability in China
3.1.4 Invasion of Manchuria and Northern China
3.1.5 Sino-Japanese War
3.1.6 Towards World War: Tripartite Pact to Pearl Harbor
3.1.7 League of Nations and the Lytton Report
3.1.8 China's Internal Political Developments
3.2 German and Italian Expansion (1933–1940)
3.2.1 Fascism and Nazism: Ideological Foundations
3.2.2 Domestic Economic Drivers
3.2.3 Diplomatic Alignments and Appeasement
3.2.4 German Challenges to Post-War Settlements
3.2.5 Italian Expansion and Aggression
3.2.6 German Expansion and Pre-War Alliances
3.2.7 International Response to German Aggression
3.2.8 International Response to Italian Aggression
3.2.9 Combined International Response (1940)
4 Rights and Protest
4.1 Civil Rights Movement in the United States (1954–1965)
4.1.1 Racism and Violence in the United States (1954-1965)
4.1.2 Disenfranchisement and Segregation
4.1.3 Economic and Social Discrimination
4.1.4 Non-Violent Protests
4.1.5 Civil Rights Legislation
4.1.6 Key Figures: Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, Lyndon B Johnson
4.1.7 Key Groups in the Civil Rights Movement
4.2 Apartheid South Africa (1948–1964)
4.2.1 Apartheid Legislation
4.2.2 Segregation and Forced Removals
4.2.3 Education and Bantustan System
4.2.4 Non-Violent Protests and the Freedom Charter
4.2.5 Sharpeville Massacre and Armed Struggle
4.2.6 Rivonia Trial
4.2.7 Key Figures: Nelson Mandela, Albert Luthuli
4.2.8 Key Groups in the Anti-Apartheid Movement
5 Conflict and Intervention
5.1 Rwanda (1990–1998)
5.1.1 Origins of Ethnic Tensions
5.1.2 Rise of the Hutu Power Movement
5.1.3 Economic Precursors to Conflict
5.1.4 Rwandan Civil War and Assassinations
5.1.5 Genocide Tactics and Crimes
5.1.6 Global Inaction and Response
5.1.7 Aftermath: Social and Refugee Crisis
5.1.8 Pursuit of Justice
5.1.9 Political and Economic Repercussions
5.2 Kosovo (1989–2002)
6 Society and Economy (6501400)
6.1 Society and Economy
6.2 Cultural and Intellectual Developments
7 Causes and Effects of Wars (7501500)
7.1 Course Practices and Outcomes
8 Dynasties and Rulers (7501500)
8.1 Dynasties and Rulers
8.2 Law, Governing Institutions, and Administration
9 Societies in Transition (14001700)
9.1 Social and Economic Change
9.2 Cultural and Intellectual Change
10 Early Modern States (14501789)
10.1 Nature of Power and Rule
10.3 Conflicts and Challenges
11 Causes and Effects of Early Modern Wars (15001750)
11.1 Causes of Conflicts
11.2 Practices and Impact on Outcome
12 Origins, Development and Impact of Industrialisation (17502005)
12.1 The Origins of Industrialisation
12.2 Key Developments and Their Impact
13 Independence Movements (18002000)
13.1 Origins and Rise of Independence Movements
13.2 Methods Used and Reasons for Success
14 Emergence and Development of Democratic States (18482000)
14.1 Emergence of Democratic States
14.2 Development of Democratic States
15 Authoritarian States (20th Century)
15.1 Emergence of Authoritarian States
15.2 Consolidation and Maintenance of Power
16 Causes and Effects of 20th Century Wars
16.1 Causes of War
16.2 Practices of War and Their Impact on the Outcome
17 The Cold War: Superpower Tensions and Rivalries (20th Century)
17.1 Rivalry, Mistrust and Accord
17.2 Leaders and Nations
18 History of Africa and the Middle East (HL)
18.1 The Abbasid dynasty (7501258)
18.2 The Fatimids (909–1171)
18.3 The Crusades (1095–1291)
18.4 The Ottomans (1281–1566)
18.5 - Trade and the rise and decline of African states and empires (800–1600)
18.6 - Pre-colonial African states (1800–1900)
18.7 - The slave trade in Africa and the Middle East (1500–1900)
18.8 - European imperialism and the partition of Africa (1850–1900)
18.8.1 Growth of European Activity in Africa
18.8.2 Economic Causes of the Partition of Africa
18.8.3 Strategic Causes of Partition in Africa (1850–1900)
18.8.4 Other Causes of Partition
18.8.5 African Background to Partition
18.8.6 German Annexation and the Berlin West Africa Conference
18.8.7 King Leopold II and De Brazza in the Congo: Imperial Rivals
18.9 - Response to European imperialism (1870–1920)
18.9.1 Factors Influencing Decisions to Resist European Imperialism (1870–1920)
18.9.2 Ethiopian Resistance under Menelik II
18.9.3 Mandinka Resistance to French Rule
18.9.4 The Herero and Nama Resistance in Namibia
18.9.5 Cetshwayo and the Conquest of the Zulu Kingdom
18.9.6 The Asante Wars (1873, 1896, and 1900)
18.9.7 Factors Influencing Decisions to Collaborate with Colonial Powers
18.9.8 Collaboration between Lewanika and Khama with the British
18.9.9 Resistance and Collaboration in Buganda
18.10 - Africa under colonialism (1890–1980)
18.10.1 British Rule in Kenya
18.10.2 Tanganyika under German and British Rule
18.10.3 British Rule in Nyasaland, Northern Rhodesia, and Southern Rhodesia
18.10.4 Angola and Mozambique under Portuguese Rule (1890–1975)
18.10.5 Nigeria: Direct and Indirect Rule
18.10.6 The Colonial Administration of Gold Coast (Ghana)
18.10.7 Colonial Administration in Senegal
18.11 - 20th-century nationalist and independence movements in Africa
18.11.1 Angola's Liberation War and Independence (MPLA and UNITA)
18.11.2 Namibia’s Quest for Independence: The Role of SWAPO
18.11.3 Kenya Trade Unions, Mau Mau, and Jomo Kenyatta (KANU)
18.11.4 Transformation of the Gold Coast into Ghana: The Role of Kwame Nkrumah and the CPP
18.11.5 French West Africa Nationalism, Political Parties, and Senegal's Independence
18.11.6 The Role of TANU and Julius Nyerere in Tanganyika's Independence
18.12 - The Ottoman Empire (c1800–1923)
18.12.1 Challenges to Ottoman Power in the Early 19th Century
18.12.2 The Eastern Question and European Challenges
18.12.3 The Decline of Ottoman Power in the Middle East and North Africa
18.12.4 Attempts at Internal Reform and Modernisation in the Ottoman Empire
18.12.5 The Committee of Union and Progress and Young Turk Reforms
18.12.6 The Ottoman Empire's Entry into World War I
18.13 - War and Change in the Middle East and North Africa 1914–1945
18.13.1 Allied Diplomacy in the Middle East (1914–1945)
18.13.2 The Effects of Paris Peace Treaties in the Middle East and North Africa
18.13.3 Egypt After the First World War
18.13.4 The Palestine Mandate: Economic, Social, and Political Developments
18.13.5 Atatürk and the Turkish Republic
18.13.6 Case Study: Iran (1914–1945)
18.14 - Africa, International Organizations, and the International Community (20th Century)
18.15 - Developments in South Africa 1880–1994
18.15.1 Discovery of Diamonds and Gold in South Africa
18.15.2 South African War (1899–1902)
18.15.3 Policies of Smuts and Hertzog (1910–1948)
18.15.4 National Party and Apartheid
18.15.5 Resistance to Apartheid
18.15.6 International Opposition to Apartheid
18.15.7 End of the Apartheid System in South Africa
18.16 - Social and Cultural Developments in Africa in the 19th and 20th Centuries
18.16.1 Spread of Islam and Christianity in Africa (19th and 20th Centuries)
18.16.2 African Independent Churches Movement
18.16.3 Changing Social and Cultural Values in Africa in the 19th and 20th Centuries
18.16.4 The Changing Role of Women in African Society
18.16.5 Impact of Colonialism on Art and Culture in Africa
18.16.6 Developments in Education in Africa (19th and 20th Centuries)
18.17 - Post-war Developments in the Middle East (1945–2000)
18.18 - Post-Independence Politics in Africa to 2005
18.18.1 Causes of Ethnic Conflict, Civil War, and Military Intervention in Post-Independence Africa
18.18.2 Impact of Ethnic Conflict, Civil War, and Military Intervention
18.18.3 Social and Economic Challenges in Post-Independence Africa
18.18.4 Establishment of Single-Party States in Post-Independence Africa
18.18.5 Return to Multi-Party Democracy in Africa (1980s and 1990s)
18.18.6 Economic Growth and Development in Africa to 2005
19 History of the Americas (HL)
19.1 Indigenous Societies and Cultures in the Americas (c750–1500)
19.1.1 Indigenous Societies and Cultures in the Americas (c750–1500): Types of Political Organization
19.1.2 The Role of Warfare in Indigenous Societies and Cultures in the Americas (c750–1500)
19.1.3 Economic and Social Structures in Indigenous Societies (c750–1500)
19.1.4 Indigenous Polytheistic Beliefs
19.1.5 Cultural Insights of Pre-Columbian Indigenous Societies in the Americas
19.2 European Explorations and Conquests in the Americas (c1492–c1600)
19.2.1 Exploration and Conquest in North America
19.2.2 Exploration and Conquest in Latin America
19.2.3 Economic Impact of European Exploration and Conquest in the Americas (c1492–c1600)
19.2.4 Treatment of Indigenous Populations in the Americas (c1492–c1600)
19.2.5 European Rivalries in the Age of Exploration
19.3 Colonial Government in the New World (1500–1800)
19.3.1 Political Organisation in Spanish and Portuguese America (1500–1800)
19.3.2 Political Organisation in British and French North America (1500–1800)
19.3.3 Colonial American Economies (1500–1800)
19.3.4 Bourbon and Pombaline Reforms in Colonial Governance and Economies
19.3.5 Limits of State Power and Resistance to Authority in Colonial Governments
19.3.6 Anglo-French Rivalry in North America to 1763
19.4 Religion in the New World (1500–1800)
19.4.1 The Aims of the Catholic Church in Spanish and Portuguese America
19.4.2 The Roles of Religious Orders in Colonial Society and Governance
19.4.3 Interactions between Indigenous Belief Systems and Christianity
19.4.4 Religious Tolerance and Intolerance in British North America (1500–1800)
19.4.5 The Great Awakening c1720–c1760
19.4.6 Religion in New France (1500–1800)
19.5 Slavery and the New World (1500–1800)
19.6 Independence Movements (1763–1830)
19.6.1 Independence Movements in the Americas (1763–1830)
19.6.2 Political, Intellectual, and Military Contributions of Leaders
19.6.3 United States: Processes Leading to the Declaration of Independence
19.6.4 Latin America: Characteristics of the Independence Processes
19.6.5 Attitude of the United States towards Latin American Independence
19.6.6 Impact of Independence on Economies and Societies
19.7 Nation-Building and Challenges (c1780–c1870)
19.8 US Civil War: Causes, Course and Effects (1840–1877)
19.8.1 Slavery: Cotton Economy and Slavery
19.8.2 Origins of the Civil War
19.8.3 Motivations for Westward Expansion
19.8.4 Strengths and Weaknesses of the Union and Confederate States during the US Civil War
19.8.5 Factors Affecting the Outcome of the Civil War
19.8.6 Reconstruction: Presidential and Congressional Plans
19.9 The Development of Modern Nations (1865–1929)
19.9.1 The Causes and Consequences of Railroad Construction in the Americas
19.9.2 Causes and Consequences of Immigration in the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries in the Americas
19.9.3 Development and Impact of Ideological Trends
19.9.4 Social and Cultural Changes (Late 19th - Early 20th Centuries)
19.9.5 Influence of Leaders in the Transition to the Modern Era
19.9.6 Social, Economic, and Legal Conditions of African Americans (1865–1929)
19.10 Emergence of the Americas in Global Affairs (1880–1929)
19.10.1 United States' Expansionist Foreign Policies
19.10.2 The Spanish–American War (1898): Causes and Effects
19.10.3 Impact of United States' Foreign Policies on the Americas
19.10.4 United States and the First World War
19.10.5 Involvement of Canada in the First World War
19.10.6 Impact of the First World War on Two Countries of the Americas
19.11 The Mexican Revolution (1884–1940)
19.11.1 Rule of Porfirio Díaz
19.11.2 Causes of the Mexican Revolution
19.11.3 The Mexican Revolution and Its Leaders (1910–1917)
19.11.4 Construction of the Post-Revolutionary State (1920–1940)
19.11.5 Lázaro Cárdenas and the Renewal of the Revolution (1934–1940)
19.11.6 The Role of Foreign Powers in the Mexican Revolution
19.11.7 Impact of the Mexican Revolution on Society
19.12 The Great Depression and the Americas (mid 1920s–1939)
19.12.1 The Great Depression: Political and Economic Causes
19.12.2 Nature and Efficacy of Solutions in the United States During the Great Depression
19.12.3 The Great Depression and Canada: Assessing the Solutions
19.12.4 Impact of the Great Depression on Latin America
19.12.5 Latin American Responses to the Great Depression
19.13 Second World War and the Americas (1935–1945)
19.14 Economic Developments and Challenges in the Americas (1945–1981)
19.15 Social and Cultural Developments and Challenges (1945–1981)
19.16 Political Developments and Challenges (1945–1981)
19.17 The Struggle for Democracy in Latin America (1945–1981)
19.17.1 The Nature and Limitations of Democracy in Latin America (1945–1981)
19.17.2 Challenges to Democracy in Latin America (1945–1981)
19.17.3 The Development of Civil Society in Latin America
19.17.4 Resistance to Authoritarian Regimes in Latin America
19.17.5 Transition to Democracy in Latin America in the Late 20th Century
19.18 Economic and Social Developments and Challenges (1981–2000)
19.19 Political Developments and Challenges (1981–2000)
19.19.1 Political Developments in the United States and Canada (1980s and 1990s)
19.19.2 Political Developments in Latin America (1980s and 1990s)
19.19.3 The End of Authoritarian Regimes in Latin America
19.19.4 US Foreign Policy Towards Latin America in the 1980s and 1990s
19.19.5 Efforts to Address Political Violence in Latin America (Late 20th Century)
19.20 The Americas in a Global Context (2000–2020)
19.20.1 Economic Trends and Globalisation in the Americas (2000–2020)
19.20.2 Social and Demographic Challenges in the Americas (2000–2020)
19.20.3 Environmental Issues and Conservation Efforts in the Americas (2000–2020)
19.20.4 Political Developments and Challenges in the Americas (2000–2020)
19.20.5 Foreign Policy and International Relations
19.20.6 Canada's Role in the Americas (2000–2020)
19.20.7 Latin American Integration and Regional Organisations in the Early 21st Century
19.20.8 Issues Related to Migration in the Americas (2000–2020)
20 History of Asia and Oceania (HL)
20.1 Trade and Exchange: The Silk Road in the Medieval World (750–1500)
20.2 Japan in the Age of the Samurai (1180–1333)
20.2.1 The Gempei War and the Establishment of the Kamakura Shogunate
20.2.2 The Role and Influence of the Samurai
20.2.3 Internal Conflicts Among Samurai Clans
20.2.4 Life and Ethos of the Samurai
20.2.5 Impact of the Samurai on Japanese Society and Culture
20.2.6 The Mongol Invasions and Kamikaze Storms (1274-1281)
20.3 Exploration, Trade, and Interaction in East Asia and South-East Asia (1405–1700)
20.4 The Rise and Fall of the Mughal Empire (1526–1712)
20.5 Colonialism and the Development of Nationalism in South-East Asia (c1750–1914)
20.5.1 Dutch Colonial System in the Dutch East Indies
20.5.2 French Colonial System in Indo-China
20.5.3 The Spanish Colonial System in the Philippines
20.5.4 The Philippines and the United States: Colonial Transition and Impact
20.5.5 Siamese Monarchy: An Epoch of Resilience
20.5.6 Beginnings of Nationalism in South-East Asia
20.6 India, Afghanistan, and Burma (1750–1919)
20.6.1 Expansion of the British East India Company
20.6.2 The British Colonial System in India (1773–1857)
20.6.3 Causes and Consequences of the Great Revolt of 1857
20.6.4 Key Developments in India: 1858–1914
20.6.5 Development and Significance of Constitutional Groups in India
20.6.6 Afghanistan and British-Russian Rivalry (The Great Game)
20.6.7 Burma under British Colonialism
20.7 Challenges to Traditional East Asian societies (1700–1868)
20.7.1 Qing Dynasty and Imperial Rule (1700–1868)
20.7.2 Internal Challenges in China (1700–1868)
20.7.3 Chinese Tribute System and Western Trade
20.7.4 The First and Second Opium Wars: Causes and Consequences
20.7.5 Taiping Rebellion: The Heavenly Kingdom's Rise and Fall
20.7.6 Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan (1603-1868)
20.7.7 The Bakumatsu Period in Japan (1853–1868)
20.8 British Colonialism and Emerging National Identities in Oceania (1788–1919)
20.8.1 Settlement Schemes and Immigration in Oceania (1788–1919)
20.8.2 Tensions Between Indigenous Peoples and Settlers
20.8.3 Impact of Gold Rushes and Urban Growth
20.8.4 Constitutional Developments and National Identity in Oceania (1788–1919)
20.8.5 Impact of World War I on Australia and New Zealand
20.8.6 British Administration in the Pacific Islands (1788–1919)
20.9 Early Modernization and Imperial Decline in East Asia (1860–1912)
20.9.1 China's Tongzhi Restoration and Self-Strengthening Movement (1861–1894)
20.9.2 Impact of Sino-Japanese War and Hundred Days’ Reform
20.9.3 Boxer Rebellion and Late Qing Reforms (1900–1911)
20.9.4 The Xinhai Revolution and Its Causes
20.9.5 Japan Meiji Restoration and 1889 Constitution
20.9.6 Social, Cultural, and Economic Developments in Meiji Japan
20.9.7 Rise of Japanese Military Power (1894–1905)
20.9.8 Korean Isolation and Annexation (1876-1910)
20.10 Nationalism and Independence in India (1919–1964)
20.11 Japan (1912–1990)
20.11.1 Impact of Post-World War I Era on Japan
20.11.2 Taisho Democracy and the Rise of Liberal Values in Japan
20.11.3 Rise of Militarism and Extreme Nationalism in Japan (1912–1990)
20.11.4 Invasions of Manchuria and China
20.11.5 Japan and the Pacific War (1941–1945)
20.11.6 The US Occupation of Japan and Post-War Changes
20.11.7 Japan's Economic Miracle
20.12 China and Korea (1910–1950)
20.13 Impact of the Second World War on South-East Asia
20.13.1 Initial Japanese Victories
20.13.2 Japanese Occupation in South-East Asia
20.13.3 Growth of Nationalism and Independence Movements in South-East Asia during WWII
20.13.4 Emergence and Influence of Leaders in South-East Asia During WWII
20.13.5 Reasons for Indonesian Independence
20.13.6 Case Study: Thailand's Experience in the Second World War
20.14 The Peoples Republic of China (1949–2005)
20.14.1 The Consolidation of the Communist State (1949–1961)
20.14.2 Transition to Socialism and Economic Developments (1949–1961)
20.14.3 Social Developments and Rights in the People’s Republic of China (1949–1961)
20.14.4 The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution
20.14.5 Foreign Policy and Foreign Affairs (1949–1976)
20.14.6 The Power Struggle and Deng Xiaoping Era in the People's Republic of China
20.15 Cold War Conflicts in Asia
20.16 Developments and Challenges in South Asia after 1947
20.17 Developments in Oceania after the Second World War (1945–2005)
20.17.1 Social and Cultural Developments in Oceania Post-1945
20.17.2 Immigration and Multiculturalism in Post-War Oceania
20.17.3 Government Policies and Achievements in Australia (1945–2005)
20.17.4 Government Policies and Achievements in New Zealand (1945-2005)
20.17.5 Attitudes and Policies Towards Indigenous Peoples in Australia and New Zealand (1945–2005)
20.17.6 Foreign Policy and International Alignments in Oceania (1945–2005)
20.17.7 Economic Policies and Realignment in Oceania (1945–2005)
20.17.8 Emergence of Independent Pacific Island States
20.18 Social, Cultural and Economic Developments in Asia (excluding China, Japan and India) (1980–2005)
21 History of Europe (HL)
21.1 Monarchies in England and France (1066–1223)
21.1.1 Pre-Norman England and the Impact of the Norman Invasion
21.1.2 Normans in England: William I, Duke of Normandy
21.1.3 Angevin Commonwealth: Henry II's Policies and Governance
21.1.4 The Duchy of Normandy and its Relations with France (1066-1223)
21.1.5 Extension of Royal Power in France under the Capetians
21.1.6 Comparison of Royal Government in England and France (1066–1223)
21.2 Muslims and Jews in medieval Europe (1095–1492)
21.2.1 Reasons for Hostility to Muslims in Medieval Europe (1095–1492)
21.2.2 Christian Opposition to Muslim States in Spain (1095–1492)
21.2.3 Results of Conflict Between Christian and Muslim States in Spain
21.2.4 Role and Contribution of Jews in Medieval Europe (1095–1492)
21.2.5 Reasons for Persecution of Jews in Medieval Europe (1095–1492)
21.2.6 Impact of Persecution of Jews (1095–1492)
21.3 Late medieval political crises (1300–1487)
21.3.1 Succession Crises in England: Edward II and Richard II
21.3.2 The Hundred Years War (1337–1360 and 1369–1389)
21.3.3 The Hundred Years War (1415–1453)
21.3.4 The Rise and Fall of Ducal Burgundy (1363–1477)
21.3.5 Crisis of Monarchy and Challenges to Royal Authority (15th Century)
21.3.6 Nature of Kingship and Challenges (1422–1483)
21.3.7 The Wars of the Roses
21.4 The Renaissance (c1400–1600)
21.4.1 The Renaissance in Italy: Origins, Causes, and Development
21.4.2 Forms of Government in Italian City-States During the Renaissance
21.4.3 The Importance of Patronage in the Renaissance
21.4.4 The Impact of Literature and Political Writings during the Renaissance
21.4.5 The Northern Renaissance
21.4.6 The Renaissance in Spain
21.5 The Age of Exploration and its impact (1400–1550)
21.5.1 Motives for Exploration in the 15th Century
21.5.2 Enablers of Exploration in the 15th Century
21.5.3 Portuguese Exploration of the West Coast of Africa
21.5.4 Exploration and the New World (1492–1550)
21.5.5 Exploration and the Indian Ocean (1400–1550)
21.5.6 The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)
21.5.7 Impact on Europe to 1550: The Age of Exploration and its Consequences
21.6 Aspects of the Reformation (c1500–1563)
21.7 Absolutism and Enlightenment (1650–1800)
21.7.1 The Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment Ideas
21.7.2 Enlightenment Ideas in Two European Regions: England and France
21.7.3 Absolutism Monarchs: Louis XIV of France and Peter the Great of Russia
21.7.4 Enlightened Despots: A Comparative Study
21.7.5 Social and Economic Change in the Enlightenment Era
21.7.6 Monarchy, Patronage, and the Arts: The Baroque Movement (1650–1800)
21.8 The French Revolution and Napoleon I (1774–1815)
21.9 France (1815–1914)
21.9.1 The Bourbon Restoration and the Congress of Vienna
21.9.2 Reigns of Louis XVIII and Charles X (1815–1830)
21.9.3 Revolution of 1830 and the July Monarchy
21.9.4 The 1848 Revolution and the Emergence of Louis-Napoleon
21.9.5 Napoleon III and the Second Empire
21.9.6 The Third Republic of France (1871–1914)
21.10 Society, politics and economy in Britain and Ireland (1815–1914)
21.10.1 Social Protest in Britain (1815–1848)
21.10.2 Extension of the Franchise: Reform Acts of 1832, 1867, and 1884–1885
21.10.3 Victorian Society (c1840–c1900)
21.10.4 Political Figures Disraeli, Gladstone, and Salisbury
21.10.5 Early 20th-Century Britain: A Study in Social and Political Transformation
21.10.6 Unrest and Protest in Britain (1901–1914)
21.11 Italy (1815–1871) and Germany (1815–1890)
21.12 Imperial Russia, revolution and the establishment of the Soviet Union (1855–1924)
21.12.1 Alexander II (1855–1881): Era of Reform in Tsarist Russia
21.12.2 Policies of Alexander III and Nicholas II (1881–1917)
21.12.3 Causes and Consequences of the 1905 Revolution
21.12.4 Impact of the First World War and the February/March 1917 Crisis
21.12.5 1917 Revolutions and the Rise of Lenin
21.12.6 Lenin’s Russia/Soviet Union (1917–1924)
21.13 Europe and the First World War (1871–1918)
21.13.1 European Diplomacy and Changing Balance of Power
21.13.2 Kaiser Wilhelm II and German Foreign Policy
21.13.3 Causes of the First World War (1914-1918)
21.13.4 Impact on Civilian Populations During the First World War (1914–1918)
21.13.5 Factors Leading to the Defeat of Germany and the Central Powers in the First World War
21.14 Inter-war domestic developments in European states (1918–1939)
21.15 Diplomacy in Europe (1919–1945)
21.15.1 The Paris Peace Treaties (1919–1923)
21.15.2 League of Nations and Europe
21.15.3 Italian and German Foreign Policies (1919–1941)
21.15.4 Collective Security and Appeasement (1919–1941)
21.15.5 Causes of the Second World War and European Conflict (1939–1941)
21.15.6 Impact of the Second World War on Civilian Populations
21.16 The Soviet Union and post-Soviet Russia (1924–2000)
21.16.1 The Soviet Union (1924–1941): Stalin and the Struggle for Power
21.16.2 Impact of the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945) on the Soviet Union
21.16.3 Khrushchev and Brezhnev Domestic Policies and Foreign Relations
21.16.4 Transformation of the Soviet Union (1985–1991) Under Gorbachev
21.16.5 Collapse of the Soviet Union and Post-Soviet Russia to 2000
21.17 Post-war western and northern Europe (1945–2000)
21.18 Post-war central and eastern Europe (1945–2000)
21.18.1 Soviet Domination in Central and Eastern Europe (1945–1955)
21.18.2 Support, Cooperation, Repression, and Protest in Central and Eastern Europe (1945–1968)
21.18.3 Acceptance and Opposition to Soviet Control (1968–1989)
21.18.4 Collapse of Soviet Control and Its Causes (1989)
21.18.5 Balkan Conflicts in the 1990s
Overview
Course overview
How to study IB History HL
IB History HL is a comparative, multi-perspective world history course built around accurate evidence, historical concepts, source analysis, and sustained argument. The topic structure below supports the course whose final assessment is in 2027. HL also includes a regional depth-study option and Paper 3. A redesigned course is first assessed in 2028; students in that cohort should use the new official guide rather than treating the two syllabuses as interchangeable.
Sources and perspectives
Connect a source's content and context with its value, limitations, representativeness, and relationship to other interpretations.
Analytical argument
Organise essays around the command term, weigh factors and perspectives, and use chronology to support explanation rather than replace it.
Assessment at a glance
The structure below applies to IB History HL candidates in the course whose final assessment is in 2027. The redesigned course first assessed in 2028 uses a different syllabus and revised paper durations, so confirm your examination session with your school.
| Component | Format | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 1 hour; source-based paper on the prescribed subjects | 20% |
| Paper 2 | 1 hour 30 minutes; essay paper on the world history topics | 25% |
| Paper 3 | 2 hours 30 minutes; essay paper on one regional option | 35% |
| Internal assessment | 20 teaching hours; individual historical investigation | 20% |
Sources: official IB History HL subject brief (final assessment 2027) and official IB History subject brief (first assessment 2028).
Revision plan
- 1.Confirm whether your examination session follows the final-2027 course or the redesigned first-assessment-2028 course.
- 2.Turn every selected topic into causation, consequence, comparison, continuity, change, significance, and perspective questions.
- 3.Build compact evidence banks under competing arguments and practise retrieving precise examples without a chronological prompt.
- 4.Alternate timed source work with essay plans and full responses, recording gaps in evidence, analysis, and judgement.
Exam strategy
Read the command term, define the scope, and commit to a defensible line of argument. Use specific evidence to explain and evaluate rather than narrate. For source work, combine content and context; for essays, compare factors and perspectives before reaching a qualified judgement.
Practise IB History HL questionsFrequently asked questions
Which syllabus does this IB History HL topic guide follow?
The topic structure on this page follows the IB History course whose final assessment is in 2027. The redesigned History course is first assessed in 2028, so students should confirm their examination session before using a syllabus checklist.
What does IB History HL cover for the 2027 examination session?
HL students study one prescribed subject, two world history topics, one regional depth-study option, and complete a historical investigation.
How is IB History HL assessed for the final 2027 session?
HL assessment consists of Paper 1 worth 20%, Paper 2 worth 25%, Paper 3 worth 35%, and the historical investigation worth 20%.
What changes for the IB History course first assessed in 2028?
The redesigned course is organised around focused study, thematic study, a regional study at HL, and the historical investigation. Paper 1 and Paper 2 become longer, while HL retains Paper 3. Students taking exams in 2028 or later should use the new official subject brief and their school's course plan.
How should I revise for IB History HL?
Organise evidence by argument rather than chronology alone. Practise source analysis, comparison, causation, consequence, continuity, change, significance, and perspectives, then apply precise evidence under timed conditions.