U.S History

Montgomery Bus Boycott

2007 - In what ways did the Montgomery bus boycott, 1956, advance the cause of the civil rights movement?

2012 - What was the significance of one or more of the following in US history: Hollywood, 1945- 1968; the Montgomery bus boycott; religion in modern American culture?

2015 - Why did the Montgomery bus boycott (1956) take place, how was it carried out, and to what extent was it successful?

2017 - What was the contribution of Martin Luther King to the events of the Montgomery bus boycott and to other aspects of US life?

Martin Luther King

2011 - What was the contribution of Martin Luther King to US affairs?

2017 - What was the contribution of Martin Luther King to the events of the Montgomery bus boycott and to other aspects of US life?

Race Relations / Conflict / Inequality

2006 - During the period, 1945-1989, what was the impact of one or more of the following on American society: racial conflict; urban poverty; organised crime?

2013 - What were the main developments in race relations in the US, 1945-1968?

2014 - Why did race relations remain a major issue in the US, 1945-1989?

2019 - During the period 1945‐1989, to what extent did the movement for racial equality achieve meaningful change in the US?

2022 - What were the key developments in race relations, 1945-1989?

2023 - What attempts were made to tackle racial inequality in the US, 1945-1989?

Moon landing & Advancements in technology

2006 - What was the importance of one or more of the following: McCarthyism; the Moon Landing, 1969; developments in information technology?

2010 - What was the impact of the Moon Landing on US domestic and foreign affairs?

2011 - Why did the US lose the Vietnam War and/or what was the significance of the Moon landing?

2014 - How did the Americans achieve a successful moon landing in 1969 and what was its importance for the US?

2015 - During the period 1945-1989, what advances were made by the Americans in military, space and information technology?

2016 - What was the significance of the moon landing (1969) and/or Star Wars?

2018 - During the period 1945-1989, what was the significance of advances made in space travel and information technology?

2019 - How did the US achieve a successful moon landing in 1969 and what was its national and international significance for the US?

2023 - How did the US achieve a successful moon landing in 1969, and what was its significance at home and abroad

Foreign Policy

2007 - What were the significant developments in US foreign policy, 1973-1989?

2007 - How did McCarthyism and/or the anti-war movement affect US foreign policy, 1945- 1972?

2010 - What was the importance for US foreign policy of one or more of the following: Berlin; Korea; Cuba?

2012 - What part did one or more of the following play in US foreign policy: Korea; Cuba; SALT and Star Wars?

2015 - During the period 1945-1989, what was the importance for US foreign policy of one or more of the following: Berlin; Korea; Cuba?

2016 - During the period 1945-1989, what was the impact on US society of McCarthyism and/or the anti-war movement?

2023 - Which posed the greater threat to US security, the Korean War or the Cuban Missile Crisis? Argue your case, referring to both

2023 - How did one or more of the following affect the US: McCarthyism; the military industrial complex; the anti-war movement?

LBJ & Truman

2010 - What were the successes and failures of the presidency of Lyndon Johnson?

2012 - How well did President Harry Truman or President Lyndon Johnson handle the challenges he faced?

2013 - Which president was more successful in his handling of US foreign policy, Harry Truman or Lyndon Johnson? Argue your case, referring to both.

2014 - What were the strengths and weaknesses of Lyndon Johnson as a political leader?

2016 - Who was the greater president, Truman or Johnson? Argue your case, referring to both in your answer.

2018 - How effectively did President Harry Truman tackle the problems he faced at home and abroad?

Korea & Vietnam

2006 - Which had the greater impact on the United States: involvement in Korea or involvement in Vietnam? Argue your case, referring to both.

2011 - Why did the US lose the Vietnam War and/or what was the significance of the Moon landing?

2018 - What was the importance, for both countries, of US involvement in Vietnam?

2019 - Why and how did the US become involved in war in Korea and/or Vietnam?

2022 - How effectively did US leaders deal with problems posed by two of the following: Korea; Cuba; Vietnam?

Cuba, Berlin & Korea

2015 - During the period 1945-1989, what was the importance for US foreign policy of one or more of the following: Berlin; Korea; Cuba?

2019 - Why and how did the US become involved in war in Korea and/or Vietnam?

2022 - How effectively did US leaders deal with problems posed by two of the following: Korea; Cuba; Vietnam?

Roosevelt & Ronald Reagan

2006 - What were the successes and failures of the political career of Ronald Reagan?

2011 - How did the US Presidency develop from Roosevelt to Reagan?

2017 - From Roosevelt to Reagan, would you agree that American presidents always acted for the good of America? Argue your case referring to more than one president.

American Society

2007 - What contribution did Betty Friedan and/or Norman Mailer make to society in the United States?

2011 - What did one or more of the following contribute to American culture: Marilyn Monroe; Muhammad Ali; Billy Graham?

2017 - How did one or more of the following challenge widely-held views in the US: Norman Mailer; Betty Friedan; Muhammad Ali?

2018 - What did Marilyn Monroe and/or Billy Graham contribute to American life?

2019 - What was the contribution to American life of one or more of the following: Joe McCarthy; Billy Graham; Norman Mailer?

2022 - What was the contribution to American life of two of the following: Betty Friedan; Billy Graham; Marilyn Monroe?

American Culture

2011 - What did one or more of the following contribute to American culture: Marilyn Monroe; Muhammad Ali; Billy Graham?

2012 - What was the significance of one or more of the following in US history: Hollywood, 1945- 1968; the Montgomery bus boycott; religion in modern American culture?

2013 - What was the contribution of religion and/or the mass media to modern American culture?

2015 - What was the American Dream and to what extent was it reflected in life in the US, 1945-1989?

American Economy

2010 - Why did the United States experience an economic boom, 1945-1968, and what was its impact on society?

2012 - To what extent did the US economy experience both success and decline during the period 1945-1989?

2013 - What was the impact on the US economy of one or more of the following: the multinational corporation; the military-industrial complex; international competition from Japan and Europe?

2014 - What were the significant developments in the US economy, 1945-1989?

2016 - What were the strengths and weaknesses of the US economy, 1945-1989?

2017 - What were the achievements of the US economy, 1945-1968, and what factors limited its growth, 1968-1989?

2022 - What were the strengths and weaknesses of the US economy, 1945‐1989?