Essays: 2020-2025

Movements for political and Social reform, 1870-1914 (DBQ 2026):

• 2025: To what extent did the GAA and the Gaelic League achieve success, 1884-1914? 

• 2024: From your study of culture and society, 1870-1914, what was the importance of two of the following: Douglas Hyde; the GAA; educational reforms (schools and universities)?

• 2023: Why did the 1913 strike and lockout take place, how was it carried out and what was its outcome? 

• 2023: During the period 1870-1914, which was the more successful movement, the GAA or the Gaelic League? Argue your case, referring to both. 

Politics and society in Northern Ireland, 1949-1993:

2025:

• During the years 1949–1969, who was the more effective leader, Lord Brookeborough or Terence O’Neill?  

• What was the Coleraine University controversy and how did it contribute to tensions in Northern Ireland?

• What was the contribution of Bernadette Devlin to the affairs of Northern Ireland? 

• What moves were made towards finding a peaceful resolution of the “Troubles”, 1973-1993? 

2024:

• What were the successes and failures of Lord Brookeborough as leader of Northern Ireland?  

• What was the Coleraine University controversy and how did it contribute to tensions in Northern Ireland?

• What was the importance of two of the following: the Sunningdale Agreement and the power-sharing executive (1973-1974); the Anglo-Irish Agreement (1985); the Downing Street Declaration (1993)? 

• From your study of religion and culture in Northern Ireland, what did you learn about two of the following: cultural responses to the Troubles; ecumenism; Seamus Heaney? 

2021: 

• What were key social and economic developments, 1949-1969? 

• Would you agree that Terence O’Neill was a failure as a political leader? Argue your case.  

• What was the Sunningdale Agreement and why did the power-sharing executive, 1973–1974, collapse? 

• Divided societies are sometimes culturally productive. How true is this of Northern Ireland, 1949–1993?

2020: 

• During the period 1949-1969, how effectively did Northern Irish governments respond to the social and economic problems they faced? 

• What was the contribution of Ian Paisley to the affairs of Northern Ireland? 

• During your study of Northern Ireland, 1949–1993, what did you learn about Seamus Heaney and/or cultural responses to the “Troubles”?

 

The United States and the World, 1945-1989:

2025:

• How successful was the US in dealing with problems posed by Berlin and Cuba? 

• During the years 1945-1989, what was the American Dream and to what extent did it reflect the realities of American life?  

• How effective was the leadership of President Lyndon Johnson at home and abroad? 

• During the years 1945-1989, how and why did religion become an increasingly powerful force in American life?

2024:

• How well did President Harry Truman handle the challenges he faced, 1945‑1953?  

• Why did the Montgomery Bus Boycott take place and in what ways did it advance the cause of civil rights?  

• How did Betty Friedan and/or Marilyn Monroe reflect the changing role of women in US society?  

• What was the significance of the moon landing, 1969, and of Star Wars?

 2023:

• How did one or more of the following affect the US: McCarthyism; the military-industrial complex; the anti-war movement? 

• Which posed the greater threat to US security, the Korean War or the Cuban Missile Crisis? Argue your case, referring to both. 

• What attempts were made to tackle racial inequality in the US, 1945-1989? 

• How did the US achieve a successful moon landing in 1969, and what was its significance at home and abroad?

2022: 

• How effectively did US leaders deal with problems posed by two of the following: Korea; Cuba; Vietnam? 

• What were the key developments in race relations, 1945‐1989? 

• What were the strengths and weaknesses of the US economy, 1945‐1989?  

• What was the contribution to American life of two of the following: Betty Friedan; Billy Graham; Marilyn Monroe?

 

Dictatorship and democracy in Europe, 1920-1945:

2023:

• What were the main characteristics of fascist regimes in Europe, 1920-1945?  

• How did Josef Stalin transform the Soviet economy and/or use show trials to consolidate his power? 

• What were the challenges facing France in peace and war, 1920-1945?  

• How successfully did two of the following address the problems facing Britain during the period 1920-1945: J.M. Keynes; the Jarrow March, 1936; Winston Churchill?

 2022: 

• Why did Italy and/or Germany embrace dictatorship in the inter‐war period? 

• What were the main social and economic challenges facing Britain during the period 1920‐1939? 

• What were the characteristics of Stalin’s leadership during peace and war? 

• What was the impact of Anglo-American popular culture on Europe?

 2021: 

• What were the main characteristics of Italian fascism under Mussolini? 

• To what extent did Hitler’s foreign policy, 1933–1939, contribute to the outbreak of World War II? 

• Would you agree that Stalin transformed the Soviet Union, 1924–1945? 

• From your study of Great Britain, 1920-1945, what did you learn about two of the following: J.M. Keynes; the success or failure of the Jarrow March, October 1936; life on the Home Front during World War II?

 2020:

• Which had the greater social and economic problems during the inter-war period, Britain or Germany? Argue your case, referring to both. 

• What were the main characteristics of Stalin’s rule in Russia? 

• During the period 1920-1945, how did anti-Semitism and the Holocaust affect Europe? 

• From your study of World War II, what did you learn about two of the following: wartime alliances; the Home Front; Vichy France?