Core content: the 19th century — IGCSE History (0977) questions by topic
Nineteenth-century core content spans continents: the Carbonari's role in Italian unification, US intervention in Cuba in 1898, and the 1848 Prussian revolution in Berlin, so candidates need working knowledge across separate national stories rather than one continuous narrative.
Explain, how-far, describe, assess and identify are the leading command words, worth 20 marks throughout this set of 13 questions from 2023 to 2025 papers. Because short describe or identify answers sit alongside longer assess questions here, practise recognising which command word signals a factual account and which signals a judgement, then use instant marking to check the balance of detail against argument in your response.
May–June 2025, Paper 12
The 1848 revolutions eventually failed. What were the Hungarian 'March Laws'?
Answer this question and get it marked →Individuals played an important part in the achievement of Italian unification. Describe Austria's position in Italy at the beginning of 1848.
Answer this question and get it marked →Imperialism raised important issues both for the United States and for Britain. Describe the US intervention in Cuba in 1898.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 12
Many different factors contributed to the achievement of Italian unification. What were the Carbonari?
Answer this question and get it marked →In the nineteenth century powerful forces were driving Germany towards unification. What was the issue of the Spanish succession, 1868–70?
Answer this question and get it marked →US presidents faced many problems in the nineteenth century. Describe how President Grant supported Reconstruction.
Answer this question and get it marked →In the second half of the nineteenth century imperialism took many different forms. Describe the role of the United States in Cuba between the Treaty of Paris (1898) and 1906.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 11
Italy faced many difficulties before it achieved unification. Describe relations between Austria and the Italian states by early 1848.
Answer this question and get it marked →Early attempts to establish a united German state failed. Describe Frederick William IV's attitude towards revolutionary events in Prussia in 1848.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
Describe events in France in February 1848.
Answer this question and get it marked →What was agreed between Cavour and Napoleon III at Plombières in 1858?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 11
1848–49 was a period of turmoil in Europe. What were the aims of the Magyar nationalists?
Answer this question and get it marked →The 1848–49 revolution in Prussia was short-lived. Describe events in Berlin in March 1848.
Answer this question and get it marked →Other IGCSE History topics
- Depth study: The First World War, 1914–18 (17)
- Depth study: The USA, 1919–41 (15)
- Depth study: Germany, 1918–45 (14)
- Depth study: Russia, 1905–41 (14)
- Core content: the 20th century (10)
- Depth study: The Second World War (9)
- The Cold War (9)
- Depth study: China, c.1930–c.1990 (6)
- Depth study: South Africa, c.1940–c.1994 (6)
- Depth study: Israelis and Palestinians since 1945 (6)