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GCSE Module: Cold War in Asia

Unit: Korean War

Year group: 11

When taught: July to October

AQA syllabus link: Click here

What are we learning?

  • What was the Cold War?
  • How did Europe become divide by 1949?
  • What did the Cold War mean for the world?
  • How did the Korean War break out in 1950?
  • What motivated all sides in the Korean War?
  • Why did the Korean War break out in 1950?
  • What were the key events of the Korean War?
  • What were the turning points in the Korean War?
  • How successful was the Korean War?
  • What was the impact of the Korean War?

How will we be assessed on this topic?

  • The end of topic assessment will include a knowledge test (including some multiple choice questions, some non multiple-choice questions, a chronology task and a key word task).
  • A one hour assessment paper conducted in timed conditions covering all the different question types on the GCSE paper.

What makes a strong piece of work in this topic?  What are teachers hoping to see?  

  • A sound and good chronological understanding of key events;
  • Use of specific factual evidence relevant to the question asked;
  • A wide range of appropriate key terms used in written responses;
  • Developed explanation: use of the BLT framework;
  • ‘Complex thinking’/ evaluation in answers – thinking about short term/ long term/ people/ place/ extent etc.
  • Developed source analysis of the content and provenance of sources using detailed supporting knowledge.
  • Strong linkages in conclusions and between paragraphs.

What key words are there in this topic?

Quizlet: Click here 

What can I try if I want to stretch and challenge myself on this topic?

  • Learn more about the Cold War in this period by using the school’s Historical Association account where you will find lots of information/ podcasts about the topic. Ask Mrs Wahlen for the username and password;
  • Listen to some podcasts. There are some excellent pods on The Rest is History: Click here 
  • The Korean War Podcast: Click here 
  • Korean War documentary: Click here 
  • Cold War documentaries: Click here
  • Read some historical fiction or non fiction – see the ideas below!

What wider reading can be done on this topic?

There is a whole range of historical fiction on the Cold War. Below are a few ideas-  some are available from the library:

  • Life: An Exploded Diagram: Click here
  • The Secret Trilogy by John Gardner

Recommended non-fiction:

  • The Cold War by William Davidson: Click here
  • Cold War: Conflict in Europe and Asia by Phillips, Collier and Lewis: Click here
  • The Cold War by John Lewis Gaddis

Supporting document/links:

  • Students will be given a knowledge organiser at the end of the topic to revise for the end of topic assessment.
  • GCSE pod