Singapore JC Subject List - History (H1, Revised)

This course examines key interactions between local, regional, and global developments through a study of the Cold War and its impact. Superpower rivalry transformed the security order in Europe and the rest of the world, with Asia emerging as a key area of Cold War contestation. The actions of regional and local actors shaped the manifestation of the Cold War in this part of the world. This course provides an understanding of the Cold War's impact across different contexts and its legacies.

Theme I: The Development of the Cold War (1945-1991)

This theme explores how the Cold War developed and its impact on global developments after 1945. It covers the emergence of tensions between the USA and USSR, including the Yalta and Potsdam conferences, the Sovietisation of Eastern Europe, Churchill's Iron Curtain speech, Kennan's Long Telegram, the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, the Berlin Blockade, NATO, and the Warsaw Pact. It also examines different historical interpretations of the Cold War's origins. The end of the Cold War is also studied, including the USA's policy of renewed confrontation and containment, the decline of the USSR, shifts in Soviet foreign policy, Eastern European movements and revolutions in the 1980s, and historical interpretations of the Cold War's end. The source-based case study for the H1 History examination will be set on this theme.

Theme II: The Cold War and East Asia (1945-1991)

This theme examines how the Cold War impacted developments in East Asia through the lens of China and Japan. It covers the development of Sino-Soviet relations, including cooperation, worsening relations, and rapprochement. It also covers the development of Sino-American relations, including confrontation, rapprochement, and the establishment of diplomatic relations. The development of Japan-USA relations is also studied, including the security alliance, tensions, and factors shaping the relationship. Japan's other responses to the Cold War, including political and economic responses, are also examined.

Theme III: The Cold War and Southeast Asia (1945-1991)

This theme examines how the Cold War shaped developments in Southeast Asia. It covers the factors shaping the Second Indochina War (1959-1975) and the Third Indochina War (1978-1991), including the roles of various countries. It also examines ASEAN's responses to Cold War developments, including regional cooperation and the Bali Summit (1976). Finally, it explores Singapore's responses to Cold War developments, including relations with the USA, USSR, and China, and responses to the Third Indochina War.

Historical Concepts

The following historical concepts are used to analyze the events and developments of the Cold War:

• Accounts: Understanding that historical accounts are reconstructions of past events that reflect the focuses and points of view of their authors.
• Chronology: Using dates and sequences of events to understand historical context and situate new knowledge.
• Historical Empathy: Acknowledging and understanding the perspectives of people who lived in the past.
• Evidence: Using historical sources to support interpretations of the past, engaging in sourcing, contextualisation, and corroboration.
• Cause and Effect: Examining causation in history to understand why events happened and their consequences.
• Change and Continuity: Describing, comparing, or evaluating developments in societies over time, analyzing the pace of change and identifying turning points.