OCR GCSE History A (Explaining the Modern World) Period study with non-British depth study: International relations 1918-2001 + Germany 1925-1955: the people and the state June 2024 question paper J410/02

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.

Study Interpretation B.

Explain why not all historians and commentators have agreed with this interpretation.

Use other interpretations and your knowledge to support your answer.

() Spelling, punctuation and grammar and the use of specialist terminology

Interpretation B

From ‘The Roots of European Security’ by Soviet historian Vadim Nekrasov, published in 1984.

At the end of the Second World War, the United States believed that it had become the undisputed leader of the world. Its leaders deliberately tried to make relations with the USSR worse. The formation of NATO in April 1949 was clearly aimed at preparing for war against the USSR. The United States planned to use NATO to place air bases in Europe, from where air strikes could be made on Moscow. But the USSR did not give up on its hopes for cooperation. Its leaders made every effort to prevent the world from being split into two opposing military-political groupings.

Describe one way in which the Nazis used propaganda after they achieved power.

Explain how the Second World War affected German civilians (Germans who weren’t fighting).

Study Sources A and B.

Is one source more reliable than the other about why Hitler became Chancellor in 1933?

Source A

An extract from a Nazi leaflet published in Germany in 1929 and then reissued in 1932.

An extract from notes written in 1935 by the ex-commander of the German army, General von Hammerstein. Hammerstein was a known anti-Nazi and resigned from his position of commander of the army in 1934.

8* ‘The Nazis’ economic policies benefited the German people in the 1930s.’

How far do you agree?