How to Revise America, 1840–1895: Expansion and consolidation — AQA GCSE History
America, 1840–1895: Expansion and consolidation is a topic in the AQA GCSE History specification. This guide covers learning objectives, examiner tips, common mistakes, and key terminology to help you revise effectively.
Examiner Tips for America, 1840–1895: Expansion and consolidation
- Ensure you can construct a narrative account of key events using second-order concepts like causation and consequence.
- Practice evaluating interpretations by identifying how and why they differ, even if they are not formal historiography.
- Focus on the 'unfolding narrative' of the two main developments: expansion and consolidation.
- Use specific terminology related to the period, such as 'Manifest Destiny', 'carpetbaggers', and 'small reservations policy'.
Common Mistakes in America, 1840–1895: Expansion and consolidation
- Confusing the timeline of the Indian Wars with the later post-1865 reservation policies.
- Failing to link the American Civil War to its broader social and economic impacts on civilians.
- Overlooking the role of specific individuals like Brigham Young or John Brown in the narrative of expansion.
- Generalizing the 'Indian problem' without referencing specific government acts or treaties like the Fort Laramie Treaty or the Dawes Act.
Key Marking Points
- Knowledge and understanding of the geography of North America and the belief in Manifest Destiny.
- Reasons for westward migration and challenges faced by settlers, including Mormons, pioneer farmers, and miners.
- Changing relationships with Plains Indians, including early government policy and the Permanent Indian Frontier.
- Causes and consequences of the Indian Wars (1862–1867), including the Sand Creek Massacre and Fetterman's Trap.
- Background to the American Civil War: North-South differences, slavery, abolitionism, and the breakdown of the Missouri Compromise.
- Social and economic impact of the American Civil War on civilian populations.