Original post by Knkn10Hey this is a lot of writing but here are 2 examples, I’m currently doing my coursework question and am struggling to choose too!xx😩
TITLE
Historians have disagreed about the reasons for the end of the Cold War. What is your view about the reasons for the end of the Cold War?
Summary of differences in interpretation
The basic discussion will be between those that believe Reagan's policies brought about the end, compared to those who favour the policies/values of Gorbachev. The interpretations on the importance of Reagan will vary between authors, from those who focus on his overstretching of the Soviet economy to those who concentrate more on his compromising skills after 1984. Other interpretations will consider the importance of the gerontocracy and the impact of their policies on the Soviet economy. Other historians have focused on the internal socio-political factors within the communist system (such as Serhii Plokhy), whilst some have looked at the influence of other key players especially George Shultz and Shevardnadze.
Relevant publications
Oberdorfer, Dan The Cold War to a New Era (1998)
Matlock, Jack Reagan and Gorbachev: How the Cold War ended (2004) Schweizer, Peter Victory (1994)
Zubok, V A Failed Empire (2007)
Fischer, Beth Reagan Revival (1997)
Plokhy, Serhii The Last empire (2014)
Brown, Archie The Gorbachev Factor (1996)
BBC Documentary: Summits: the Geneva Summit, Professor David Reynolds
Note: This enquiry may not be combined with option 1E, where the Section C focus on the Fall of the USSR would involve too great an overlap.
The proposal, although it does not associate the listed works with particular views, indicates that a debate exists over the proposed issue. As long as the listed authors are between them associated with the range of views cited in the proposal, it would appear to offer candidates the required scope to explore interpretations.
2 Title
Historians have disagreed about the significance of German Imperial ambitions in the origins of the First World War.
What in your view about the significance of German Imperial ambitions in the Origins of the First World War?
Summary of differences in interpretation
There are a multitude of differing interpretations as demonstrated below:
● Gerhard Ritter - Germany was defensive like much of Europe
● Fischer - German Aggression
● Fischer - German foreign policy and German domestic tension
● AJP Taylor - War by timetable: No one particularly wanted war, however mobilised quickly as a deterrent. Generals created grand timetables
● Hillgruber - war was due to encirclement
● Erdman - Germany slipped into war
● Austria were to blame.
● Due to Russian mobilisation.
Relevant publications
Johl, James Origins of the First World War (2006)
Fischer, Fritz Germany's aims in the first world war (1968)
Henig, Ruth Origins of the First World War (2001)
Taylor, AJP War by timetable, how the first world war began (1969)
Joll, James 1914 debate continues (1966)
Clark, Christopher Lecture: Sleep walkers, how Europe went to war in 1914 (2014)