Hey, I'm going through some past paper essays and one question is on: Assess the impact of strategies used by the Japanese and the Allies in the Pacific from 1937-1951 (2008). Just wondering if anyone could indicate where this has come from the current syllabus/whether the syllabus changed since 2008.
Hey !
In my opinion, I think that the question you've been given is still relevant, regardless of the syllabus change. Now i'm going to note that I study the Conflict in Europe, not the Pacific, so don't count me on this. However, after a quick skim of your syllabus, I think I can show you why you can still be asked a question like this.
When you're looking at the modern history syllabus, don't exclude the text above the
learn about section. In particular, pay close attention to the key features and issues; one of them is 'Japanese and Allied strategies'. Generally, they'll top and tail one of these key features/issues with a syllabus dot point. But in this case, the question you've been given stems entirely off the key feature. To compensate, they've given you scope to mention the
entire Conflict in the Pacific time-frame. This therefore explains why you've been given the years 1937-1951.
I'll give you all the key features and issues below:
Spoiler
Key features and issues:
• imperialism and responses to it
• nature and impact of nationalism
• Japanese and Allied strategies
• impact of the war on the home fronts of Japan and Australia
• impact of the war in Occupied Territories in South-East Asia
• use of the A-bomb
• reasons for the Japanese defeat
• aims and consequences of the Allied Occupation of Japan
Now, to prepare for this, I learnt a handy table from a lecturer at the HTA day. Basically, it has the key issues / features going across, and the syllabus dot point going down. This allows you to see how they link with one another. Of course, not everything will link; for instance I doubt the bombing of pearl harbor and Japan's home-front has a great link, but you get the gist. What I hope you can take away from this is that essays aren't purely derived from the syllabus dot point. They can also mix it up with a key feature / issue AND they can ask you to write about the entire conflict, which they did in the question you have.