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AQA GCSE History Paper 1 Predictions
We know it feels daunting right now, but take a deep breath. You have got this! 💙
Jen - Primrose Kitten
February 02, 2026
Hello lovely students! 👋
Can you believe it’s almost time to start thinking seriously about the 2026 exam series? We know it feels daunting right now, but take a deep breath. You have got this! 💙 We are here to support you every step of the way with resources, advice, and a friendly nudge in the right direction.
Before we dive into our crystal ball gazing 🔮, we have a super important reminder:
⚠️ Please make sure you review your entire specification. ⚠️
Predictions are just that—educated guesses based on previous patterns. We haven't seen the real exams! Treat this blog post as a guide to help focus your revision, not as a shortcut to skipping topics. Comprehensive knowledge is your best weapon! 🛡️
Also, remember that your mental health is priority number one. 🧠✨ Revision is crucial, but so are sleep, drinking water, hanging out with friends, and downtime. Success is all about balance. Be kind to yourself during this process! 🪴
Okay, let's talk history! Based on past paper patterns and specification coverage, we have highlighted some key areas we expect to come up in the 2026 exam.
If you are wondering how we come up with these lists, have a read of our blog posts on ‘How Accurate Are Predicted Papers?’ and ‘How do we write our Predicted Papers’.
Table of Contents
Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945-72. AQA GCSE History Paper 1 (Option BC). Our 2026 Exam Predictions: A Mini Revision Guide 📘
1. Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe and the development of the Cold War (1945-49) 🌍
Key Points to Revise:
Yalta and Potsdam Conferences: What was agreed, and crucially, what were the disagreements (especially over Poland and Germany)?
The 'Iron Curtain': Churchill’s famous speech highlighting the ideological divide across Europe.
Soviet Expansion: How did Stalin ensure communist governments took power in countries like Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia? (Think 'salami tactics' and rigged elections).
The Western Response: The Truman Doctrine (containment) and the Marshall Plan (economic aid to stop communism spreading).
2. Communist Revolution in China 🇨🇳
Key Points to Revise:
The civil war between the Nationalists (Kuomintang) and the Communists led by Mao Zedong.
1949 Victory: Why did the Communists win? (Support from peasants, guerrilla tactics vs. Nationalist corruption).
Impact on International Relations: This was a massive shock to the USA. It fueled fears of the 'Domino Theory' in Asia and led to the 1950 Treaty of Friendship between China and the USSR, strengthening the communist bloc.
3. The U2 Crisis (1960) ✈️
Key Points to Revise:
The Event: An American U2 spy plane, piloted by Gary Powers, was shot down over the Soviet Union just before a major summit in Paris.
The Lies: President Eisenhower initially claimed it was a weather plane off course. Khrushchev then produced the pilot (who survived) and the wreckage, proving the US was lying.
The Consequences: Eisenhower refused to apologise. Khrushchev stormed out of the Paris Summit. Tensions between the superpowers skyrocketed, marking an end to the brief 'thaw' in relations.
4. The Berlin Wall (1961) 🧱
Key Points to Revise:
The Problem: West Berlin was a gap in the Iron Curtain. Thousands of skilled East Germans were using it to escape to the West (the 'Brain Drain'), undermining communism.
The Solution: Overnight in August 1961, East German troops built a barbed wire barrier, soon replaced by a concrete wall, sealing off West Berlin.
Impact: It stopped the refugee crisis but increased tension. It was a propaganda disaster for the Soviets (having to wall people in) but actually stabilised the situation in Berlin in the long run, as the border was now fixed.
Ready to Test Yourself? 📝
Knowing the topics is one thing, but applying that knowledge under exam pressure is another!
We highly encourage you to download our 2026 Predicted Papers. They are the best way to simulate the real exam experience.
Don't forget to also use our unlimited free notes and take our retrieval quizzes on the website to keep your knowledge fresh. Our resources are trusted by thousands of students—check out over 1,000 5-star reviews from happy customers here! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Exam Structure & Breakdown: AQA Paper 1 🕰️
Finally, let’s recap what you’ll face on the day. Knowing the structure is half the battle!
AQA GCSE History Paper 1: Understanding the modern world
Time allowed: 2 hours
Total Marks: 84 (including 4 marks for Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar)
Weighting: 50% of your total GCSE History grade.
This paper is divided into two sections. If you are doing Option BC, it looks like this:
Section A: Period Studies (Option B: Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and dictatorship)
You will answer 6 compulsory questions on this topic.
Section B: Wider World Depth Studies (Option C: Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945–1972)
You will answer 4 compulsory questions on this topic. This section includes source analysis.
Good luck with your revision! Stay positive, keep a balanced routine, and remember, we are rooting for you! 🎉
America, 1920–1973: Opportunity and Inequality. 🇺🇸 Option AD Revision Guide and 2026 exam predictions
1. The Experience of African-Americans in the 1920s 🎷
While the "Roaring Twenties" were a boom time for many, inequality was stark.
Jim Crow Laws: Segregation remained legal and enforced in the South (schools, transport, facilities).
The Ku Klux Klan (KKK): A revival in the 1920s; they targeted African-Americans as well as Catholics and Jews. Their influence reached high political levels.
The Great Migration: Many African-Americans moved from the rural South to the industrial North (cities like Chicago and New York) seeking jobs and safety, though they still faced discrimination.
The Harlem Renaissance: A cultural explosion in New York celebrating black art, music (Jazz!), and literature, fostering a new sense of pride and identity.
2. Roosevelt’s Election as President (1932) 🗳️
The shift from Republican to Democratic leadership changed America forever.
The Context: The Great Depression had devastated the economy. Unemployment was soaring, and people were desperate.
Hoover’s Failure: President Hoover was seen as "do-nothing" (rugged individualism). "Hoovervilles" (shanty towns) became symbols of his failure.
The New Deal: FDR campaigned on a promise of action. He offered hope, the "3 Rs" (Relief, Recovery, Reform), and used technology like the radio ("Fireside Chats") to connect with voters.
The Result: A landslide victory for FDR, signalling that Americans wanted government intervention in their lives.
3. Consumerism in the 1950s 📺
After WWII, America entered a "Golden Age" of economic prosperity.
The Post-War Boom: Wages increased, and goods became cheaper.
The American Dream: Life centred around the nuclear family, living in the suburbs (suburbanisation), and owning a home.
Consumer Goods: Shopping became a pastime! Televisions, fridges, and washing machines became standard. The car culture exploded, leading to highways and drive-ins.
Mall Culture: Teenagers emerged as a distinct group with spending power, influencing fashion, music (Rock 'n' Roll), and movies.
4. The Campaign for Civil Rights (1950s and 1960s) ✊🏿
This is a massive topic covering the fight for equality.
Education: Brown v. Board of Education (1954) ruled that segregation in schools was unconstitutional (overturning "separate but equal").
Non-Violent Protest: The Montgomery Bus Boycott (Rosa Parks), the Greensboro Sit-ins, and the Freedom Rides challenged segregation in public spaces.
Martin Luther King Jr.: His leadership, the march on Washington ("I Have a Dream"), and the push for the Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965).
Black Power: Later in the 60s, frustration with the slow pace of change led to more radical movements (Malcolm X, Black Panthers) focusing on black pride and self-defence.
🚀 Supercharge Your Revision
Want to feel extra confident walking into that exam hall?
📥 Download our 2026 Predicted Papers here! These papers are designed to mimic the real exam structure.
Don't forget to use our unlimited free notes and test your memory with our retrieval quizzes.
Join thousands of other successful students! We are so proud to have over 1,000 5-star reviews. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 👉 Read what Happy Customers say about us here
📝 Exam Structure: AQA Paper 1 (Option AD)
Knowledge is power, but knowing how the exam works is your superpower. 🦸♂️
Paper 1: Understanding the Modern World
Total Time: 2 Hours (for the whole paper)
Total Marks: 84
Weighting: 50% of your GCSE
Section A: Period Study (This is your Option AD: America 1920–1973) You will answer 6 compulsory questions on this section.
Q1-3: Interpretation Questions. You will look at two written interpretations and answer questions on how they differ, why they differ, and which is more convincing.
Q4: Describe two problems/features... (4 marks).
Q5: "In what ways were the lives of people affected by..." (8 marks).
Q6: The big essay question! "Which of the following was the more important reason for..." (12 marks).
(After Section A, you will move on to Section B, which covers your Wider World Depth Study, e.g., Conflict and Tension).
You’ve got this! Keep going, take breaks, and believe in yourself. We are cheering you on! 🌟💙
Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and Dictatorship AQA GCSE History Paper 1 (Option AB) Revision Guide and Exam Prediction
1. The Impact of Germany’s Defeat in the First World War 🏳️
The "Stab in the Back" Myth (Dolchstoss): The dangerous belief that the German army wasn't defeated on the battlefield but was betrayed by politicians (the "November Criminals") at home.
Political Chaos: The Kaiser abdicated (ran away!), leading to a power vacuum. Revolts broke out, such as the Spartacist Uprising (Communist) and the Kapp Putsch (Right-wing).
Economic Ruin: The war left Germany bankrupt, with huge national debt even before reparations were set.
Social Impact: Deep divisions in society and a huge loss of life left the country traumatised.
2. The Failure of Weimar Democracy 📉
Weak Constitution:
Proportional Representation (PR): Led to weak coalition governments that couldn't agree on laws.
Article 48: Allowed the President to rule by emergency decree, undermining democracy.
The Great Depression (1929): The Wall Street Crash caused US loans (Dawes Plan) to be recalled. Unemployment in Germany rocketed to 6 million. The government seemed powerless to help.
Rise of Extremism: As people became desperate, they turned to extreme parties like the Nazis (NSDAP) and Communists (KPD) who offered simple solutions.
Political Intrigue: The mistake of Hindenburg and Von Papen thinking they could control Hitler, leading to his appointment as Chancellor in January 1933.
3. Opposition to the Nazis after 1933 🚫
Youth Opposition:
Edelweiss Pirates: Working-class teenagers who beat up Hitler Youth members and refused to conform.
Swing Youth: Middle-class teens who loved American Jazz music and rebelled against Nazi culture.
White Rose Group: University students (Hans and Sophie Scholl) who distributed anti-Nazi leaflets during the war.
Church Opposition: Religious leaders like Martin Niemöller (Confessional Church) and Bishop Galen spoke out against Nazi policies (like the euthanasia programme).
Military Opposition: The July Bomb Plot (1944), where army officers led by Stauffenberg tried to assassinate Hitler.
4. The Lives of Young People in Nazi Germany 👦👧
Education: Schools were "Nazified." Textbooks were rewritten (history focused on German greatness, biology on race theory). Teachers had to join the Nazi Teachers' League.
Hitler Youth (HJ): Compulsory for boys. Focused on military training, marching, and camping to prepare them to be soldiers.
League of German Maidens (BDM): Compulsory for girls. Focused on domestic skills (cooking, cleaning) and physical fitness to prepare them to be mothers of healthy soldiers.
Indoctrination: The aim was to ensure total loyalty to Hitler, sometimes even encouraging children to report their own parents.
🚀 Take the Next Step in Your Revision
Reading is great, but doing is better! To really secure those grades, we have some fantastic resources for you:
📥 Download our 2026 Predicted Papers here! These are the closest you can get to the real exam experience before the big day.
Don't forget to use our unlimited free notes and test your recall with our retrieval quizzes.
Join the thousands of students who have boosted their grades with us! We have over 1,000 5-star reviews—check them out here: 👉 Read our Happy Customer reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📝 Exam Structure: AQA Paper 1 (Option AB)
Knowing the battlefield is half the victory! Here is what you will face in the exam hall.
Paper 1: Understanding the Modern World
Total Time: 2 Hours
Total Marks: 84
Weighting: 50% of your GCSE
Section A: Period Study (This is Option AB: Germany 1890–1945) You must answer 6 compulsory questions in this section.
Q1 (4 marks): "How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A?" (Compare the content).
Q2 (4 marks): "Why might the authors of Interpretations A and B have a different interpretation?" (Explain the provenance—who wrote it, when, and why?).
Q3 (8 marks): "Which interpretation do you find more convincing?" (Use your own knowledge to judge the content).
Q4 (4 marks): "Describe two problems/features..." (Short, snappy knowledge recall).
Q5 (8 marks): "In what ways were the lives of people affected by..." (Explain changes).
Q6 (12 marks): The Essay Question. "Which of the following was the more important reason for..." (Two bullet points given, plus your own knowledge. You need a conclusion!).
(After finishing Section A, you will move on to Section B, which is your Wider World Depth Study, such as Conflict and Tension).
You have got this! Stay focused, be kind to yourself, and good luck with your revision! 🌟💙
Conflict and Tension, 1894–1918. AQA GCSE History Paper 1 (Option BA) Revision Guide and 2026 exam predictions
1. Anglo-German Rivalry 🇬🇧 vs 🇩🇪
Before the fighting started, tension was bubbling under the surface. This topic explains why the major powers were ready to fight.
The Naval Race: Britain had the world's most powerful navy (Two Power Standard). Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted Germany to have its "place in the sun" and began building a fleet to rival Britain's. This panicked Britain, leading to the launch of the HMS Dreadnought in 1906, which made all other ships obsolete and kicked off a frantic arms race.
Alliances: Europe split into two armed camps.
Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy.
Triple Entente: Britain, France, Russia.
Germany felt "encircled" by enemies, while the Entente powers feared German aggression.
Weltpolitik: The Kaiser's aggressive foreign policy to make Germany a global superpower, which clashed with British and French imperial interests (e.g., the Moroccan Crises).
2. Crises in the Balkans 💥
The Balkans was known as the "Powder Keg of Europe." You need to know why the spark happened here.
The Decline of the Ottoman Empire: As Turkish power faded, a power vacuum was created. Austria-Hungary and Russia both wanted influence in the region.
The Bosnian Crisis (1908): Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia, angering Serbia (who wanted to unite all Slavs) and Russia. Russia was forced to back down by Germany, leaving them humiliated and determined not to back down again.
The Assassination (1914): Archduke Franz Ferdinand was shot in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip (Black Hand Gang). This was the trigger that activated the alliance systems, dragging the whole world into war.
3. War of Attrition on the Western Front ⛓️
Once the Schlieffen Plan failed (Germany’s plan for a quick victory), the war bogged down into a deadly stalemate.
Trench Warfare: Both sides dug in from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea. Attacks became suicidal charges across "No Man's Land" into machine-gun fire.
Attrition: The aim was no longer to win quickly, but to grind the enemy down until they ran out of men and supplies.
Key Battles: The Battle of Verdun (1916) was explicitly designed by the Germans to "bleed France white." The Battle of the Somme (1916) saw the British Army suffer 57,000 casualties on the very first day.
New Technology: Tanks, gas, and aircraft were developed to try and break the deadlock, but often just added to the horror.
Why did the war end in November 1918? It wasn't just about battles; it was about hunger.
The British Blockade: The Royal Navy cut off German supply lines. By 1917, the "Turnip Winter" saw German civilians starving, surviving on less than 1,000 calories a day.
US Entry: The arrival of fresh American troops (after the failure of the German U-boat campaign to starve Britain) boosted Allied morale and crushed German hope.
The German Revolution: Starvation and war-weariness led to strikes and mutinies (e.g., in Kiel). The Kaiser lost the support of his people and his army, leading to his abdication on 9th November 1918. The Armistice was signed two days later.
🚀 Boost Your Revision
Ready to test your skills? We have everything you need to feel confident on exam day!
📥 Download our 2026 Predicted Papers here! These papers are designed to look and feel like the real thing.
Don't forget to use our unlimited free notes and take our retrieval quizzes to keep those facts fresh in your mind.
Join the thousands of students who trust us! We are proud to have over 1,000 5-star reviews. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 👉 Read our Happy Customer reviews here
📝 Exam Structure: AQA Paper 1 (Option BA)
Knowing the exam format helps you manage your time and stay calm.
Paper 1: Understanding the Modern World
Total Time: 2 Hours
Total Marks: 84
Weighting: 50% of your GCSE
Section B: Wider World Depth Studies (Option BA: First World War) You will answer 4 compulsory questions on this topic. This section is worth 44 marks (40 for content + 4 for SPaG).
Q1 (4 marks): "Source A opposes/supports..." (How do you know? Identify features in the source and use your own knowledge).
Q2 (12 marks): "How useful are Sources B and C to a historian studying..." (Assess the content and provenance—who, when, why—of both sources).
Q3 (8 marks): "Write an account of..." (A narrative question. Explain the sequence of events and how one led to another).
Q4 (16 marks + 4 SPaG): The Essay Question. "Statement... How far do you agree?" (Discuss the factor in the statement, then discuss other factors, and reach a judgment).
You have got this! Keep believing in yourself, take it one step at a time, and good luck! 🌟💙
Conflict and Tension, The Inter-War Years, 1918–1939. AQA GCSE History Paper 1 (Option BB) Revision Guide and 2026 exam predictions
1. Impact of the Versailles Settlement on International Relations after 1919 📜
The peace treaties ended WWI but sowed the seeds for WWII. You need to understand why the "peace" was so fragile.
The "Diktat": Germany was not invited to the negotiations. They felt the treaty was dictated to them, leading to massive resentment.
Key Terms:
Territorial Losses: Germany lost 13% of its land (e.g., Alsace-Lorraine to France, Polish Corridor to Poland).
Military Restrictions: Army limited to 100,000 men, no air force, no submarines, and the Rhineland was demilitarised.
Article 231 (War Guilt): Germany had to accept total blame for the war, which justified the massive Reparations bill (£6.6 billion).
International Reaction: While France (Clemenceau) wanted Germany crushed, Britain (Lloyd George) worried it was too harsh and would cause future wars. The USA (Wilson) refused to sign it, retreating into isolationism.
2. The League of Nations 🤝
Woodrow Wilson’s "brainchild" aimed to prevent war through collective security.
Structure:
The Assembly: The "parliament" where every country had a vote (met once a year).
The Council: The smaller executive group (permanent members: Britain, France, Italy, Japan) that could make quick decisions and issue sanctions.
The Secretariat: The civil service that ran the administration.
Weaknesses: The USA never joined. The USSR and Germany were initially excluded. It had no army of its own and relied on member states to contribute troops, which they were often reluctant to do.
Successes: It did resolve some minor disputes (e.g., Aaland Islands, Upper Silesia) and did great humanitarian work (refugees, health, slavery).
3. Effects of the Depression on the League of Nations 📉
The Wall Street Crash of 1929 didn't just ruin economies; it destroyed world peace.
Rise of Extremism: Desperate people turned to dictators like Hitler and Mussolini who promised simple solutions and aggressive foreign policies to distract from domestic problems.
Self-Interest: Countries like Britain and France looked inward to fix their own economies. They were less willing to impose economic sanctions (which cost money) or use military force to stop aggressors.
Manchuria (1931) & Abyssinia (1935): The Depression was the backdrop for these crises. Japan and Italy invaded other nations to steal resources. The League failed to stop them because its key members were too weak and self-interested to act effectively. This proved the League was powerless.
4. The Nazi-Soviet Pact (1939) 🤝😈
The cynical deal that shocked the world and made war inevitable.
The Context: Britain and France had failed to secure an alliance with Stalin (they didn't trust communism). Hitler wanted to invade Poland but didn't want a two-front war against Russia.
The Deal: Publicly, Hitler and Stalin agreed not to attack each other (Non-Aggression Pact). Privately, they agreed to divide Poland between them.
Why it happened:
Stalin: Needed time to rebuild his military after the purges and didn't trust the West (Munich Agreement).
Hitler: Wanted a free hand to attack Poland without Soviet interference.
The Result: Hitler invaded Poland on 1st September 1939. Britain and France declared war two days later.
🚀 Boost Your Revision
Ready to test your skills? We have everything you need to feel confident on exam day!
📥 Download our 2026 Predicted Papers here! These papers are designed to look and feel like the real thing.
Don't forget to use our unlimited free notes and take our retrieval quizzes to keep those facts fresh in your mind.
Join the thousands of students who trust us! We are proud to have over 1,000 5-star reviews. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 👉 Read our Happy Customer reviews here
📝 Exam Structure: AQA Paper 1 (Option BB)
Knowing the exam format helps you manage your time and stay calm.
Paper 1: Understanding the Modern World
Total Time: 2 Hours (for the whole paper)
Total Marks: 84
Weighting: 50% of your GCSE
Section B: Wider World Depth Studies (Option BB: The Inter-War Years) You will answer 4 compulsory questions on this topic. This section is worth 44 marks (40 for content + 4 for SPaG).
Q1 (4 marks): "Source A supports/opposes..." (How do you know? Identify features in the source and use your own knowledge to explain them).
Q2 (12 marks): "How useful are Sources B and C to a historian studying..." (Assess the content and provenance—who, when, why—of both sources. Make a judgment).
Q3 (8 marks): "Write an account of..." (A narrative question. Explain the sequence of events and how one led to another).
Q4 (16 marks + 4 SPaG): The Essay Question. "Statement... How far do you agree?" (Discuss the factor in the statement, then discuss other factors, and reach a balanced judgment).
You have got this! Keep believing in yourself, take it one step at a time, and good luck! 🌟💙