The 20th century produced many single-party states. The origins, ideology, form of government, organization, nature and impact of these should be studied in this topic. Questions will be set on major themes. Some of these will require knowledge of two regions.

Candidates should study a selection from the material listed below, ensuring that two regions are included. Questions set on specific, named rulers and states will be confined to those listed below. Alternative examples can be studied and used in answers to open-ended questions.

• China - Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-tung)

“In order to achieve and retain power a leader of a single-party state needed to be ruthless, blind to human suffering and yet charismatic.” To what extent do you agree with this assertion? (Mao and Communist China can be used as one example to support this statement… )

Compare and contrast the economic and social policies of Mao and Stalin.

Examine the role of education and/or the arts in two single party states, each chosen from a different region. (The development of education and art in Communist China under Mao could be used in this topic )

Compare and contrast the rise to power of two rulers of single-party states. (even though there is a possibility to choose two rulers in Europe Mao and China could be chosen )

How and why was propaganda used in two single-party states, each chosen from a different region? (This is a good opportunity to choose Mao and the Communist propaganda in China as the single-party state outside Europe )

Analyze the methods used by one single-party state ruler in his successful bid for power. (Mao and China could be a good choice… )

Compare and contrast the foreign policies of two rulers of single-party states, each chosen from a different region. (The foreign policies of Communist China under Mao could be used in this topic)

Analyze the methods used and the conditions which helped in the rise to power of one ruler of a single-party state. (Mao and China could be a good choice… )

Evaluate the successes and failures of one ruler of a single-party state. (Mao and China could be a good choice… )

Compare and contrast the influence outside their own countries of Hitler and Mao.

Examine the status of women in two single-party states, each chosen from a different region. (The status of women in Communist China could be a very good choice from a single-party state outside Europe )

Account for the ineffectiveness of internal opposition to two rulers of single-party states. (Mao and Communist China could be a good choice of one of the single-party states )

With reference to two examples each chosen from a different region, to what extent do you agree with the claim that “ideology was the most important factor in the rise to power of single-party leaders”? (Mao and Communist China could be a very good choice from a single-party state outside Europe )