Unit Group 2 consists of 24 non-British period study units. These units focus on significant individuals, societies, events, and issues across a range of historical perspectives (aesthetic, cultural, economic, ethnic, political, religious, scientific, social, and technological). The assessment requires learners to demonstrate understanding of key historical terms and concepts, recall, select, and deploy knowledge, and communicate effectively. Learners must reach substantiated judgements by explaining, assessing, and analyzing relationships between key features of the period studied.
This non-British period study focuses on the development of the USA, 1865–1920, a transformative era that saw the nation recover from civil war, industrialise at breakneck speed, and emerge as a world power. You will explore key themes such as Reconstruction, the Gilded Age, the Progressive Era, and the USA's entry onto the global stage. Understanding this period is crucial because it shaped modern America's political, social, and economic structures, and it provides a comparative perspective for understanding British history of the same era.
The study is divided into three key phases: Reconstruction (1865–1877), the Gilded Age (c.1870–1900), and the Progressive Era (c.1900–1920). You will analyse the struggle for African American civil rights, the rise of big business and labour movements, waves of immigration, and the expansion of federal power. This unit also examines the USA's imperial ambitions, including the Spanish-American War and the acquisition of overseas territories. By the end, you should be able to evaluate the extent of change and continuity across these decades.
This period study is part of the OCR A-Level History specification, Paper 2 (Non-British Period Study). It requires you to develop skills in analysing causation, change and continuity, and significance. The topic is assessed through a source-based question and an essay question, so you must be able to use primary sources critically and construct well-supported arguments. Mastering this unit will also help you understand later developments in US history, such as the Great Depression and the Cold War.
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