VCE History Flying Start

What we do… Semester 1:Russia Semester 2:America

The robots won. The end.

How the scoring works Unit 3 School-assessed Coursework: 25 per cent Unit 4 School-assessed Coursework: 25 per cent End-of-year examination: 50 per cent

The Outcomes (Russia) Outcome 1 (1905 to 1917) = 12.5% of total score On completion of this unit the student should be able to evaluate the role of ideas, leaders, movements and events in the development of the revolution. Outcome 2 (1917 to 1924) = 12.5% of total score On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse the challenges facing the emerging new order, and the way in which attempts were made to create a new society, and evaluate the nature of the society created by the revolution.

A brief summary (Russia) … Outcome 1 (1905 to 1917) The Socialist Revolutionaries take advantage of a dodgy tsar and an unhappy working class to assume power. Thousands die (millions if you count the war). Then Lenin and the Bolshevik’s take advantage of a weak Provisional Government to assume power. They do so by opening the back door. Outcome 2 (1917 to 1924) The Bolshevik’s introduce pure communism but everyone dies, so they force socialism on the people and only most people die. Gradually less people die as the Soviet Union becomes powerful. Then they become less powerful and people start dying again.

The Outcomes (America) Outcome 1 (1763 to 1776) = 12.5% of total score On completion of this unit the student should be able to evaluate the role of ideas, leaders, movements and events in the development of the revolution. Outcome 2 (1776 to 1789) = 12.5% of total score On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse the challenges facing the emerging new order, and the way in which attempts were made to create a new society, and evaluate the nature of the society created by the revolution.

A brief summary (America) Outcome 1 (1763 to 1776) The rich landowners and merchants have a massive whinge about British soldiers, taxes and general bothersomeness. They attract the masses with promises of equality. They then start a ruckus, stop drinking tea, then steal tea, then throw tea into the harbour. A few people die so they start a war. Outcome 2 (1776 to 1789) The rag-tag Continental Army win the war, then fight with each other, then write a constitution to provide equality. Unless you are black, native, female or rent your house. The United States of America becomes a superpower. Equality of fatness reigns, equality in other areas improves somewhat.

SACs In each outcome you will complete SACs for a total of 50 marks. These will include: Document Analysis Visual Analysis Extended Responses Essays/Research Reports Sometimes we will do 2 SACs per outcome, other times we will do 1 SAC per outcome depending on our progress.

The exam At the end of the year you will sit an exam for 2 hours (plus 15 minutes reading time). Section A – one of the outcomes from Russia or the US. Section B – one of the outcomes from Russia or the US. You must choose a different revolution for each Section. Exam will include similar tasks to the SACs we have completed during the year, including at least 1 visual/document analysis, 2 extended responses and 1 essay/research report.

Need more information? All exams from the previous 10 years or so are available at this website … I also have copies of the exams for practicing, some of these include sample responses (good ones).