OCR GCSE History A (Explaining the Modern World) Period study with non-British depth study: International relations 1918-2001 + USA 1919-1948: the people and the state June 2025 question paper J410/06

Outline how the terms of the Treaty of Versailles were intended to ensure future peace.

Explain why Cuba became a focus of tension between the USSR and the USA in the 1960s.

Study Interpretation A.

Do you think this interpretation is a fair comment on Neville Chamberlain and his policies in the period 1937–1939?

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

answer.

Interpretation A

From ‘Munich – Its Lessons Ten Years Later’, an essay written by British historian Hugh Trevor‑Roper, published in 1948.

There was plenty of evidence that Hitler was following a policy of aggression, but Neville Chamberlain was a man of limited intelligence. He simply could not believe that Hitler was any different from himself. If Chamberlain wanted peace, so must Hitler. If the evidence contradicted him, he ignored it. Chamberlain did not want to strengthen the alliance against Hitler, he wanted to break it up in order to clear the way for his personal diplomacy. The fact that he acted out of arrogance and stupidity, not out of wickedness, is no excuse. Hitler flattered Chamberlain by telling him he was the only man he had ever given in to, and Chamberlain believed him.

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 Origins of the Cold War’, an essay written by US historian Arthur Schlesinger, published in 1970.

Neither side made a decision to start the Cold War. It happened because each followed policies which the other saw as a threat. The USSR thought it had no choice but to strengthen its security in Eastern Europe. The Americans saw this as the USSR’s first step towards taking over Europe and so they responded by declaring their interest in Eastern Europe. This made the USSR think that the USA was trying to set up anti‑Soviet governments in the area. There was a failure of communication between the USA and the USSR and, as time went on, a tendency to think the worst of the other side’s actions.

Soviet is another term for the USSR.

Describe one example of discrimination against women in the USA during the 1920s.

Explain how the Second World War affected the USA’s economy.

Study Source A.

What is the message of the cartoonist?

Source A

A cartoon published in a US newspaper in March 1936. Roosevelt and one of his advisors are pictured in the cartoon. Roosevelt is the figure on the right wearing a hat.

JUST IN CASE THEY EVER WANTED TO SLOW DOWN…

Study Source B.

Explain how this source is useful to a historian studying the New Deal.

Source B

A photograph taken in 1936 in the state of North Carolina. The photographer was working for the Farm Security Administration (a government agency). In the photograph a farmer is repaying a loan.

8* ‘Prohibition failed because law enforcement officials were corrupt.’

How far do you agree?