Topic guides

New topics don’t have to be scary. If you want to get ahead of the game and find out what the essentials are that you need to know, then you’ll find our handy short topic guides a useful place to start.

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  • Modern Russia

    Article

    A selection of useful articles on modern Russia and the USSR:  1. Alexander II: Emancipation and Reform in Russia 1855-1881 The ‘great reforms' of Tsar Alexander II (1855-81) are generally recognised as the most significant events in modern Russian history between the reign of Peter the Great and the revolutions...

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  • Overview of Elizabeth I

    Multipage Article

    A GCSE Topic Pack on Elizabeth I. The content is divided into sections on Elizabeth herself as a person and Tudor queen, and on Elizabethan Domestic and Foreign Politics including religion, social structure, crime, poverty, entertainment and foreign affairs.

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  • Podcast Series: Britain's Cold War

    Multipage Article

    In this set of podcasts our author Dr Helen Parr examines Britain's role in the Cold War. Katharine Hudson, General Secretary of CND, looks at the history of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) in Britain.

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  • Podcast Series: German History 1918-1948

    Multipage Article

    An HA Podcasted History of Modern German History: 1918-1948 featuring: Sir Ian Kershaw, Professor Jill Stephenson of the University of Edinburgh, Dr Christina von Hodenberg of Queen Mary, University of London and Professor Benjamin Ziemann of the University of Sheffield.

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  • Podcast Series: Modern China

    Multipage Article

    An HA Podcasted History of Modern China  featuring Dr Yangwen Zeng of the University of Manchester, Professor Rana Mitter and Professor Patricia Thornton of the University of Oxford and Professor Arne Westad of the London School of Economics. 

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  • Podcast Series: Modern Irish History

    Multipage Article

    An HA Podcasted Series on Modern Irish History featuring Professor Peter Gray, Dr Fearghal McGarry & Dr Stuart Aveyard of Queen's University of Belfast and Dr Matthew Kelly of the University of Southampton.

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  • Podcast Series: Pearson Edexcel Migrants in Britain

    Multipage Article

    The Pearson Edexcel thematic study Migrants in Britain, c800-present, gives students an overview of how Britain has been shaped by its migrant communities over a long period of time. At its heart, the Migrants in Britain study is the story of changes in the nation’s context that encouraged, enabled, necessitated...

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  • Podcast Series: Politics, Reform and War

    Multipage Article

    In the first part of this series we look at UK political history, political reform and the domestic impact of the World Wars. This series features Professor Eric Evans, Professor Stanley Henig, Professor Richard Grayson, Professor Keith Laybourn, Dr Daniel Todman and Dr Helen Parr. Also in the series: The Women's Movement, Religion in the...

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  • Podcast Series: Russia and the USSR

    Multipage Article

    An HA Podcasted History of Russia and the USSR featuring Dr Beryl Williams, Dr Jonathan Davis of Anglia Ruskin University, Dr Edwin Bacon of Birkbeck University of London and Professor Peter Waldron of the University of East Anglia.

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  • Podcast Series: The Women's Movement

    Multipage Article

    In Part 2 of our series on Social and Political Change in the UK 1800-present we look at the Women's Movement in the UK from its early origins through to the end of the 20th century Part 2 features Dr Anne Logan, Professor June Hannam and Ms Jean Spence. Also...

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  • Revising the Elizabethans

    Multipage Article

    In this series of podcasts Andy Harmsworth offers some advice and suggestions to help you when revising the Elizabethans for the GCSE History Exam.

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  • Revising the Elizabethans at GCSE

    Podcast

    In this update to his podcast series, Andy Harmsworth offers some advice and suggestions to help you when revising the Elizabethans for the GCSE 9-1 History Exam. This podcast is suitable for students studying the Elizabethans with any examination board. Andy taught history in Kent for over 30 years with particular...

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  • Roman Crime and Punishment

    Article

    The Romans are known as forward thinkers who were well advanced for their time.  But did they manage to conquer crime? Listen to this podcast to find out.

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  • Social and Political Change: Britain 1800-present

    Article

    A selection of articles and publications that link to Social and Political Change in Britain from 1800. These articles are all free to HA Student Members  See also our 5-part Podcast series on Social and Political Change in Britain from 1800 1. The People's PensionPodcast of lecture by Professor Chris Wrigley.  2....

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  • The Aztecs & Spanish Conquest for GCSE

    Article

    Ian Mursell set up Mexicolore in 1980 with his Mexican partner Graciela Sánchez and has worked since then with a wide variety of heritage and academic partners specialising in Aztec and Maya history. With the Aztecs now becoming a study unit on the OCR 2016 GCSE specification B, the Historical...

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  • The Bloody Code - Early Modern Crime and Punishment

    Article

    Between circa 1690 and 1820 the number of crimes punishable by the death penalty grew from 50 to over 200. This short podcast will help to explain why this trend developed.

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  • The Cold War

    Article

    The Cold War on one page: This short factoid will help you to remember the key dates, events and personalities of the Cold war. Why not download it for your bedroom wall or folder?

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  • World War 1 Literature

    Article

    The Social and Political Climate in Britain before the Great War This resource is free to everyone. For access to a wealth of other online resources from podcasts to articles and publications, plus support and advice though our “How To”, examination and transition to university guides and careers resources, join...

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