OCR GCSE History A (Explaining the Modern World) Period study with non-British depth study: International relations 1918-2001 + China 1950-1981: the people and the state June 2024 question paper J410/01

Outline the main disagreements between the leaders of the Allied powers at the Yalta and/or

Potsdam conference(s).

Explain why Germany was unhappy with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

Study Interpretation A.

Do you think this interpretation is a fair comment on the British policy of appeasement?

Use other interpretations of the events of 1937–1939 and your knowledge to support your

answer.

Interpretation A

From ‘Europe since Napoleon’ by David Thomson, first published in 1957.

Chamberlain’s policy of appeasement was based on a completely mistaken theory that Hitler’s aims were limited to reversing the wrongs which Hitler said had been done to Germany in 1919. Chamberlain believed Hitler had legitimate grievances and that Germany had had a raw deal. He believed that if they gave in to some of Hitler’s demands, the German leader would settle down peacefully. At the same time, Chamberlain wanted a programme of rearmament, to remove any temptation for Hitler to ask for more. His basic mistake was to think that someone as fanatical as Hitler had only limited aims.

Describe one way in which Dazhai Commune was used by the Chinese government between

1966 and 1976.

Explain the impact of the Cultural Revolution on the Chinese people between 1966 and 1976.

Study Sources A and B.

How similar are these two sources?

Source A

Orders from the Chinese Communist Party to local Communist leaders in Hunan province in January 1951.

‘Bandits’ was a term often used by the Communists to describe their opponents who were members of the Guomindang (GMD).

A bunch of bandits, local thugs and secret agents in the countryside of Hunan province have been executed, and preparations are being made to have another bunch executed. These actions are necessary. If we are weak and fail to act against evil counter-revolutionaries, then the people may no longer trust us.

Source B

A government poster from August 1951, displayed in many Chinese cities. The writing at the bottom of the poster says ‘Inform on counter-revolutionaries to safeguard what we have’. The woman on the left is a Chinese citizen and the man on the right is a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldier.

8* ‘Between 1976 and 1981, Deng Xiaoping’s main use of propaganda was to attack his political enemies.’

How far do you agree?