2024_OCR - GCSE History A Exam
International Relations: The Changing International
Order 1918–1975 & The USA 1919–1948: The
People and the State
Merged Question Paper & Marking Scheme.
May 2024.
, Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Wednesday 15 May 2024 – Morning
GCSE (9–1) History A (Explaining the Modern World)
J410/06 International Relations: the changing international order
1918–1975 with The USA 1919 –1948: The People and the State
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
* 9 9 4 1 0 2 2 7 3 6 *
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers
must be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer all the questions.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 105.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and the use of specialist terminology will be
assessed in questions marked with a pencil ().
• This document has 8 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2024 [601/8091/2] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (PQ/CB) 319608/3 Turn over
,Oxford Cambridge and RSA - GCSE (9–1) History A (Explaining the Modern World)
– J410/06 Exam Overview
Exam Date: Wednesday, 15 May 2024 – Morning Session
The GCSE History A (Explaining the Modern World) J410/06 exam covers two main sections:
International Relations: The Changing International Order (1918–1975) and The USA 1919–
1948: The People and the State.
1. International Relations: The Changing International Order 1918–1975
This section examines global events and developments from the end of World War I to the mid-1970s:
The Treaty of Versailles (1919): Students need to understand the impact of the Treaty on Germany, its role in
creating political instability, and the failed efforts to ensure lasting peace through the League of Nations.
Rise of Totalitarianism: Focuses on the emergence of fascist regimes in Germany, Italy, and the Soviet Union,
including key figures like Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin.
Causes of World War II: Examining factors like the Treaty of Versailles, economic instability, the policy of
appeasement, and Hitler’s aggressive expansion.
The Cold War (1945–1975): The conflict between the USA and the USSR, focusing on events like the Cuban
Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, the arms race, and the division of Europe. The failure of the League of Nations
and the establishment of the United Nations are also important.
2. The USA 1919–1948: The People and the State
This section focuses on the social, political, and economic changes in the United States:
The Roaring Twenties: The social and cultural changes of the 1920s, including economic prosperity, prohibition,
and the changing role of women.
The Great Depression (1929–1939): Causes and effects, including the stock market crash, mass unemployment,
and Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal policies aimed at recovery.
World War II: The USA’s transition from isolationism to active involvement, including the impact of the war on
American society, economy, and global power.
Post-WWII America: The USA’s emergence as a superpower, its role in rebuilding Europe, and early tensions in
the Cold War. Social changes, including the beginnings of the Civil Rights movement, are also significant.
Key Themes:
Cause and Effect: Understanding the interconnectedness of events, such as how the Treaty of Versailles led to
World War II or how the Great Depression shaped the New Deal.
Change and Continuity: Recognizing shifts in political, social, and economic structures, as well as continuities
across different periods.
Source Analysis: Evaluating and interpreting historical sources to understand different perspectives on events
and their significance.
This exam requires a deep understanding of the major events, individuals, and movements that shaped
the modern world, with a focus on analyzing their causes and consequences.
, 2
Section A
International Relations: the changing international order 1918–1975
You should spend about 1 hour on this section.
1 Outline the main disagreements between the leaders of the Allied powers at the Yalta and/or
Potsdam conference(s). [5]
2 Explain why Germany was unhappy with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. [10]
3 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. [25]
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.
© OCR 2024 J410/06 Jun24
International Relations: The Changing International
Order 1918–1975 & The USA 1919–1948: The
People and the State
Merged Question Paper & Marking Scheme.
May 2024.
, Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Wednesday 15 May 2024 – Morning
GCSE (9–1) History A (Explaining the Modern World)
J410/06 International Relations: the changing international order
1918–1975 with The USA 1919 –1948: The People and the State
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
* 9 9 4 1 0 2 2 7 3 6 *
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers
must be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer all the questions.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 105.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and the use of specialist terminology will be
assessed in questions marked with a pencil ().
• This document has 8 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2024 [601/8091/2] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (PQ/CB) 319608/3 Turn over
,Oxford Cambridge and RSA - GCSE (9–1) History A (Explaining the Modern World)
– J410/06 Exam Overview
Exam Date: Wednesday, 15 May 2024 – Morning Session
The GCSE History A (Explaining the Modern World) J410/06 exam covers two main sections:
International Relations: The Changing International Order (1918–1975) and The USA 1919–
1948: The People and the State.
1. International Relations: The Changing International Order 1918–1975
This section examines global events and developments from the end of World War I to the mid-1970s:
The Treaty of Versailles (1919): Students need to understand the impact of the Treaty on Germany, its role in
creating political instability, and the failed efforts to ensure lasting peace through the League of Nations.
Rise of Totalitarianism: Focuses on the emergence of fascist regimes in Germany, Italy, and the Soviet Union,
including key figures like Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin.
Causes of World War II: Examining factors like the Treaty of Versailles, economic instability, the policy of
appeasement, and Hitler’s aggressive expansion.
The Cold War (1945–1975): The conflict between the USA and the USSR, focusing on events like the Cuban
Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, the arms race, and the division of Europe. The failure of the League of Nations
and the establishment of the United Nations are also important.
2. The USA 1919–1948: The People and the State
This section focuses on the social, political, and economic changes in the United States:
The Roaring Twenties: The social and cultural changes of the 1920s, including economic prosperity, prohibition,
and the changing role of women.
The Great Depression (1929–1939): Causes and effects, including the stock market crash, mass unemployment,
and Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal policies aimed at recovery.
World War II: The USA’s transition from isolationism to active involvement, including the impact of the war on
American society, economy, and global power.
Post-WWII America: The USA’s emergence as a superpower, its role in rebuilding Europe, and early tensions in
the Cold War. Social changes, including the beginnings of the Civil Rights movement, are also significant.
Key Themes:
Cause and Effect: Understanding the interconnectedness of events, such as how the Treaty of Versailles led to
World War II or how the Great Depression shaped the New Deal.
Change and Continuity: Recognizing shifts in political, social, and economic structures, as well as continuities
across different periods.
Source Analysis: Evaluating and interpreting historical sources to understand different perspectives on events
and their significance.
This exam requires a deep understanding of the major events, individuals, and movements that shaped
the modern world, with a focus on analyzing their causes and consequences.
, 2
Section A
International Relations: the changing international order 1918–1975
You should spend about 1 hour on this section.
1 Outline the main disagreements between the leaders of the Allied powers at the Yalta and/or
Potsdam conference(s). [5]
2 Explain why Germany was unhappy with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. [10]
3 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. [25]
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.
© OCR 2024 J410/06 Jun24
