Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009 - 5 Obama's campaign…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 39.1: Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009 - 5 Obama's campaign for the presidency, 2004–09: The reasons for his success in gaining the Democratic nomination for the presidency: personality and rhetorical abilities; the opposition; new election strategies; policies.
Obama won the 2008 Democratic nomination by combining personal strengths with structural advantages.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Obama won the 2008 Democratic nomination by combining personal strengths with structural advantages. His calm personality and speeches on hope and change inspired activists and caucus-goers. His opposition, chiefly Hillary Clinton, was formidable but burdened by association with the Iraq War vote and internal divisions; John Edwards withdrew early. New strategies mattered: small online donations, social media, caucus organisation and proportional delegate maths. Policies on Iraq withdrawal, health care and economic fairness appealed to activists. The long contest against Clinton ended in June 2008 with Obama holding a delegate majority. Explain how these factors interacted, and weigh which was most decisive.
What earns the marks
- Explains how Obama's temperament and oratory, including the 2004 keynote and 2008 race speech, mobilised supporters and withstood controversy.
- Analyses Hillary Clinton as the main opposition: her experience and funding versus her Iraq War vote and internal campaign tensions.
- Explains new election strategies: internet fundraising, small donations, caucus-focused organisation and use of proportional delegate allocation.
- Assesses policies such as Iraq withdrawal, health-care reform and economic fairness in attracting Democratic primary voters.
- Weighs factors against one another to judge which best explains the nomination outcome.
- Uses delegate and contest evidence, such as the long primary season ending in June 2008, to support the argument.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Listing factors without ranking them.
Put it right: Compare their relative weight and reach a judgement.
Treating Clinton as a weak opponent.
Put it right: Acknowledge her strengths before explaining her difficulties.
Ignoring the delegate system.
Put it right: Explain how proportional allocation and caucuses shaped strategy.
Exam tips
- Organise around the four named factors in the statement to secure coverage.
- Use precise examples, such as the Iowa caucus win and the June 2008 delegate milestone.
- Link each factor to the outcome: winning a delegate majority.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 39.1: Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009 - 5 Obama's campaign for the presidency, 2004–09: The reasons for his success in gaining the Democratic nomination for the presidency: personality and rhetorical abilities; the opposition; new election strategies; policies. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which major rival did Barack Obama defeat in a prolonged contest to secure the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination?
Listen
Obama won the 2008 Democratic nomination by combining personal strengths with structural advantages. His calm personality and speeches on hope and change inspired activists and caucus-goers. His opposition, chiefly Hillary Clinton, was formidable but burdened by association with the Iraq War vote and internal divisions; John Edwards withdrew early. New strategies mattered: small online donations, social media, caucus organisation and proportional delegate maths. Policies on Iraq withdrawal, health care and economic fairness appealed to activists. The long contest against Clinton ended in June 2008 with Obama holding a delegate majority. Explain how these factors interacted, and weigh which was most decisive. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains how Obama's temperament and oratory, including the 2004 keynote and 2008 race speech, mobilised supporters and withstood controversy. Analyses Hillary Clinton as the main opposition: her experience and funding versus her Iraq War vote and internal campaign tensions. Explains new election strategies: internet fundraising, small donations, caucus-focused organisation and use of proportional delegate allocation. Assesses policies such as Iraq withdrawal, health-care reform and economic fairness in attracting Democratic primary voters. A common slip: Listing factors without ranking them. Instead, compare their relative weight and reach a judgement. Exam tip: Organise around the four named factors in the statement to secure coverage.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Personality and rhetoric
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Opposition and party division
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Campaign strategy and fundraising
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Policy appeal
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Personality and rhetoric
- His calm personality and speeches on hope and change inspired activists and caucus-goers.
- Opposition and party division
- Chiefly Hillary Clinton, formidable but burdened by association with the Iraq War vote and internal divisions.
- Campaign strategy and fundraising
- Small online donations, social media, caucus organisation and proportional delegate maths.
- Policy appeal
- Policies on Iraq withdrawal, health care and economic fairness appealed to activists.
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Test your understanding of Paper 3, Option 39.1: Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009 - 5 Obama's campaign for the presidency, 2004–09: The reasons for his success in gaining the Democratic nomination for the presidency: personality and rhetorical abilities; the opposition; new election strategies; policies.
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