IB Study Suggestions and
Strategies
Paper 1—Communism in Crisis, 19761989
• China under Deng Xiaoping: economic policies and the
Four Modernizations
• China under Deng Xiaoping: political changes, and their
limits, culminating in Tiananmen Square (1989)
• domestic and foreign problems of the Brezhnev era:
economic and political stagnation; Afghanistan
• Gorbachev and his aims/policies (glasnost and
perestroika) and consequences for the Soviet state
• consequences of Gorbachev’s policies for Eastern
European reform movement
• Review OPVL handout
Paper 2—Practices and Causes of War
• Different types and nature of 20th century
warfare (Civil, Guerrilla, Limited war, total war)
• Origins and causes of wars (Long-term, shortterm and immediate causes; Economic,
ideological, political, religious causes
• Nature of 20th century wars (Technological
developments, tactics and strategies, air, land
and sea)
• Home front: economic and social impact
(including changes in the role and status of
women)
Paper 2—Practices and Causes of
War
• Resistance and revolutionary movements
• Effects and results of wars
• Peace settlements and wars ending without
treaties
• Attempts at collective security pre- and postSecond World War
• Political repercussions and territorial changes
• Post-war economic problems
Wars for study
•
•
•
•
First World War
Second World War
Chinese Civil War
Spanish Civil War
Paper 2—Cold War
• Origins of the Cold War (Ideological
differences, Mutual suspicion and fear, From
wartime allies to post-war enemies)
• Nature of the Cold War (Ideological
opposition, Superpowers and spheres of
influence, Alliances and diplomacy in the Cold
War)
Paper 2—Cold War
• Development and impact of the Cold War (Global
spread of the Cold War from its European origins; Cold
War policies of containment, brinkmanship, peaceful
coexistence, détente; Role of the United Nations and
the Non-Aligned Movement; Role and significance of
leaders; Arms race, proliferation and limitation; Social,
cultural and economic impact)
• End of the Cold War (Break-up of Soviet Union: internal
problems and external pressures Breakdown of Soviet
control over Central and Eastern Europe)
Paper 2—Cold War
• Wartime conferences: Yalta and Potsdam
• US policies and developments in Europe: Truman
Doctrine, Marshall Plan, NATO
• Soviet policies, Sovietization of Eastern and Central
Europe, COMECON, Warsaw Pact
• Sino–Soviet relations
• US–Chinese relations
• Germany (especially Berlin (1945-61)), Congo (1960-64),
Afghanistan (1979-88), Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, Middle
East
• Castro, Gorbachev, Kennedy, Mao, Reagan, Stalin,
Truman
Paper 2
• There are 3 other topics on the exam
– Democratic states—challenges and responses
– Origins and development of authoritarian and
single-party states
– Nationalist and independence movements in
Africa and Asia post 1945 Central and Eastern
European States
Paper 3—The Americas Topic
• Refer to IB syllabus for Americas Topics from
this year
• Choose 4-5 topics to focus on. Choose a
combo of topics from this year and last year.
• Review mark schemes and alternative
perspectives.
Americas Topics from Year 1
• Independence Movements in the Americas
– Causes, Leaders, US Declaration of Independence,
Independence Movements in Latin America, US
position toward Latin American Independence and
the Monroe Doctrine
• Nation-building
– Articles of Confederation and Constitution, Rise
and impact of Caudillos in Latin America, War of
1812, and Mexican-American War
Americas Topics from year 1
• US Civil War
– Slavery and Underground Railroad, Causes,
Arguments for and against slavery, Effects of
Westward expansion, Lincoln-Douglass debates,
Strengths and weaknesses of the Union and
Confederacy, Major battles, Role of foreign powers,
and Success and failure of Reconstruction
• Modern Nations
– Causes and consequences of industrialization; Causes
and consequences of immigration; Development and
impact of Progressivism, nationalism, nativism.
Americas Topics from Year 2
• See IB Syllabus
Studying strategies
• Use IB objectives and sample questions from
lectures to help guide studying.
• Flashcards for things you need to memorize.
• Practice thesis statements, outlines, etc.
• Group or partner discussions
• Review practice exams
• Choose topics you are interested in or the
most comfortable with especially for paper 3.
Test Taking Strategies
• Relax!
• Make outlines and/or notes in your exam
before you start writing.
• Highlight and/or underline parts of the
question to make sure you answer it
completely.
• Use all time available. Keep track of time.
• If you have time re-read your answers before
you turn them in and make any edits.