ACTUAL 2025 AQA A-LEVEL HISTORY Component 2S
The Making of Modern Britain, 1951–2007
Question Paper & Mark Scheme (Merged) Friday 6 June 2025 [VERIFIED]
IB/M/Jun25/G4003/E5 7042/2S
, 2
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Source A
From the ‘Daily Mirror’, a left-wing popular newspaper, 6 June 1963. This article
appeared on the newspaper's front page under the headline: ‘The Big Lie’.
War Minister, John Profumo, caused a political sensation last night by resigning from the
Government. In a dramatic letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Profumo admitted that he lied to
the Commons about his association with red-haired model Christine Keeler. This admission
finally clears away the cloud of rumour and suspicion which has hung over the political scene for
more than three months. The ‘Daily Mirror’ does not kick a man when he is down, but Mr 5
Profumo, who married a beautiful and pleasant woman, is now truly down and out. God knows
he was never a good minister: it seems now that he is not a very important man. But there is
guilt in many a human heart, and skeletons in many cupboards. The question is: what the hell is
going on in this country? All power corrupts – and the Tories have been in power for nearly
10
twelve years. They are certainly experiencing their full quota of fallen idols.
Source B
From the book ‘Scandal 63’ published in September 1963. This was written by a group of
investigative journalists who worked at ‘The Sunday Times’, a right-wing establishment
newspaper.
Source B cannot be reproduced here due to third-party copyright restrictions Source B argues
that the Labour Party feared that the Profumo Affair had actually
led to public sympathy for Macmillan.
IB/M/Jun25/7042/2S
, 3
Source C
From a speech by Harold Wilson to 2000 Labour supporters at Birmingham Town Hall,
January 1964. Wilson was launching the Labour Party’s election campaign.
Source C cannot be reproduced here due to third-party copyright restrictions
Source C is Wilson arguing that Labour is best equipped for the new ‘jet-age’.
0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, assess
the value of these three sources to an historian studying the political situation in
1963/64.
[30 marks]
Turn over for Section B
IB/M/Jun25/7042/2S Turn over ►
The Making of Modern Britain, 1951–2007
Question Paper & Mark Scheme (Merged) Friday 6 June 2025 [VERIFIED]
IB/M/Jun25/G4003/E5 7042/2S
, 2
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Source A
From the ‘Daily Mirror’, a left-wing popular newspaper, 6 June 1963. This article
appeared on the newspaper's front page under the headline: ‘The Big Lie’.
War Minister, John Profumo, caused a political sensation last night by resigning from the
Government. In a dramatic letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Profumo admitted that he lied to
the Commons about his association with red-haired model Christine Keeler. This admission
finally clears away the cloud of rumour and suspicion which has hung over the political scene for
more than three months. The ‘Daily Mirror’ does not kick a man when he is down, but Mr 5
Profumo, who married a beautiful and pleasant woman, is now truly down and out. God knows
he was never a good minister: it seems now that he is not a very important man. But there is
guilt in many a human heart, and skeletons in many cupboards. The question is: what the hell is
going on in this country? All power corrupts – and the Tories have been in power for nearly
10
twelve years. They are certainly experiencing their full quota of fallen idols.
Source B
From the book ‘Scandal 63’ published in September 1963. This was written by a group of
investigative journalists who worked at ‘The Sunday Times’, a right-wing establishment
newspaper.
Source B cannot be reproduced here due to third-party copyright restrictions Source B argues
that the Labour Party feared that the Profumo Affair had actually
led to public sympathy for Macmillan.
IB/M/Jun25/7042/2S
, 3
Source C
From a speech by Harold Wilson to 2000 Labour supporters at Birmingham Town Hall,
January 1964. Wilson was launching the Labour Party’s election campaign.
Source C cannot be reproduced here due to third-party copyright restrictions
Source C is Wilson arguing that Labour is best equipped for the new ‘jet-age’.
0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, assess
the value of these three sources to an historian studying the political situation in
1963/64.
[30 marks]
Turn over for Section B
IB/M/Jun25/7042/2S Turn over ►
