GCSE History Paper 2 – Public Health & Housing

About Paper 2 Wednesday 23rd June The second history paper is 1hour 30 minutes long You will be assessed in: handling historical evidence and different interpretations It covers the topic of public health and the growth of towns The questions are all source based The paper always begins with the easiest questions, worth the least amount of marks The paper is worth a total of 50 marks

Facts Make sure you know your notes – be able to remember them accurately Make sure you know your notes – be able to remember them accurately Understand what the source is saying about the period Understand what the source is saying about the period Be able to select the relevant facts for the question Be able to select the relevant facts for the question Organise the facts for your answer before writing (make mental notes or jot notes on the answer paper) Organise the facts for your answer before writing (make mental notes or jot notes on the answer paper) Write the right facts in the right order Write the right facts in the right order

The Sources The paper will have 8 or 9 sources Remember there are two types of sources PPPPrimary – evidence from the period SSSSecondary – evidence about a period These may be photographs, illustrations, extracts, reports or cartoons Cartoons usually show an opinion Photographs show factual evidence Reports are usually factual e.g. Edwin Chadwick’s Report 1848

When looking at sources… Look who the source is written by – are they: rich or poor?, well known or obscure? This may affect/explain their opinion Look who the source is written by – are they: rich or poor?, well known or obscure? This may affect/explain their opinion Think about why the source was written Think about why the source was written  Was it to inform?  Was it to persuade?  Was it to influence?  Was it to provoke emotion?

When looking at sources… See when the source was written. Does it relate to other significant dates? See when the source was written. Does it relate to other significant dates? For example: For example:  Germ theory (1861)  Cholera epidemics (1831-2, 1848, 1854, 1866)  Chadwick’s report (1848)  Public Health Acts (1848, 1875)  Artisans’ Dwellings Act (1875)

Source Example Dear sur, May we beg your protekshion. The rich and great people care nothing for us. We live in muck and filthe. We ain’t got no toilets, no dust bins, no water supplies, no drain or sewer in the whole place. The Sewer Company in Greek Street, all great and powerful men, take no notice watever of our complaints. The stenche is disgustin. We all of us suffer and numbers of us are ill. If the Colera comes Lord help us. A letter published in ‘The Times’ newspaper in July The letter was printed with all the spelling mistakes seen here Possible question  How useful is this source as evidence of the problems facing poor people in the nineteenth century?

Reliability/Usefulness Make it clear whether you think the source may have bias HHHHas the evidence been exaggerated to prove a point? HHHHas the writer manipulated the evidence to prove a point? An opinion may be biased and this could make it less reliable/useful unless you are asked to comment on views and opinions Is the source typical of others you have seen? Does the source give the information the question asks for?

Types of Question An initial source may be used as a prompt to test recall An initial source may be used as a prompt to test recall Next you may be asked to explain a source. This tests comprehension Next you may be asked to explain a source. This tests comprehension Another may ask you to evaluate the usefulness of a source. This requires analysis Another may ask you to evaluate the usefulness of a source. This requires analysis One of the final questions may ask you to compare two or three sources. Your own knowledge is useful here One of the final questions may ask you to compare two or three sources. Your own knowledge is useful here

Source Example Source A - Over London by Rail An illustration by the famous 19 th Century artist, Gustav Doré, in his 1872 book ‘London’ Possible Question  What can you learn about living conditions in the nineteenth century by looking at this source? Response FFirstly read the provenance – who?, when?,why?, type of source? DDescribe - Refer to exact details of the source. TThe question only asks about the source so only refer to it – you don’t need to add much additional knowledge

Source Example Source B A photograph showing housing in Glasgow, 1868 Possible Question  Compare source A and B – how far do they give similar impressions of living conditions around 1870? Response  Again, look at the provenance – ask the same questions  What similarities do the sources have?  What differences do they have?  Write a conclusion – sum up your answer

Another Possible Question ‘The government was to blame for poor living conditions in nineteenth century towns.’ Do these sources prove that this statement is correct? Response  Look at all the sources in the paper  Take each one individually to see if they support the statement  Mention specific details  Use your own knowledge – (attitudes e.g. laissez faire)  Write a conclusion. This should be balanced, viewing both sides of the argument, and supported by fact. Remember to refer to the question

Sitting the Exam Remember to plan your time – try to do this in proportion to the marks awarded Plan the essay first If you realise that your argument is wrong, add a paragraph at the end explaining why it was wrong and giving the right argument Most importantly, be very familiar with your notes!