AQA_2024: AS History - Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906–1957 Component 2M: Society in Crisis, 1906–1929 (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)

AQA_2024: AS History - Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906–1957 Component 2M: Society in Crisis, 1906–1929 (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme) AS HISTORY Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906–1957 Component 2M Society in Crisis, 1906–1929 Monday 20 May 2024 Materials For this paper you must have:  an AQA 16-page answer book. Instructions Afternoon  Use black ink or black ball-point pen. Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes  Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7041/2M.  Answer two questions. In Section A answer Question 01. In Section B answer either Question 02 or Question 03. Information  The marks for questions are shown in brackets.  The maximum mark for this paper is 50.  You will be marked on your ability to: – use good English – organise information clearly – use specialist vocabulary where appropriate. Advice  You are advised to spend about: – 50 minutes on Section A – 40 minutes on Section B. For AS History: Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906–1957, Component 2M: Society in Crisis, 1906–1929, focus on the following key areas: 1. Social and Economic Context:  Pre-War Society: Study the social structure of Britain before World War I, particularly the class divisions, the role of the aristocracy, and the growing power of the working class. Focus on economic conditions, including industrialization, urbanization, and the challenges faced by workers, including poor living conditions and low wages. 2. Social Reform and the Liberal Welfare Reforms (1906–1914):  Liberal Reforms: Understand the motivation behind the Liberal Welfare Reforms introduced by Herbert Asquith’s government. These aimed to address social issues such as poverty, child welfare, and health.  Key reforms to focus on include the National Insurance Act (1911) (health insurance for workers), the Children's Act (1908) (welfare of children), the Old-Age Pensions Act (1908), and the Labour Exchanges Act (1909). 3. Impact of World War I (1914–1918):  Social Impact of WWI: Study the social impact of World War I, including the loss of life, disruption to the economy, and changes in gender roles (women’s increased role in the workforce during the war).  Post-War Reconstruction: Explore how the war and its aftermath led to significant changes in society, including calls for further welfare reforms and the establishment of unemployment benefits. 4. The Rise of Labour and Changing Politics:  Labour Party: Examine the increasing political influence of the Labour Party, which gained popularity by advocating for workers' rights, social reforms, and greater government intervention in welfare. 5. Social Crisis in the 1920s:  Economic Decline: Understand the economic difficulties faced by Britain after the war, including high unemployment, poverty, and industrial decline, especially in regions reliant on traditional industries.  The “Red Scare” and Social Unrest: Study how the fear of socialism and the rise of strikes and protests created tensions within British society. The 1926 General Strike also reflected these tensions between the working class and the government. 6. Historiographical Debate:  Interpretations of Social Crisis: Consider different historians’ views on whether the 1920s were a period of crisis or transition. Some argue the period saw the birth of modern welfare state ideas, while others see it as a time of social unrest and economic stagnation that prefigured the challenges of the Great Depression. IB/M/Jun24/G4002/E5 7041/2M 2 Section A Answer Question 01. Source A From an editorial in ‘The Guardian’ newspaper, 30 April 1909, the day after the ‘People’s Budget’ was proposed in the House of Commons. The Guardian represented liberal, centre-left political opinion. The ‘People’s Budget’ attempts to reduce the gap between rich and poor. It is, in Lloyd George’s words, a ‘war budget’ – for raising money against poverty and squalor. It is one of the fairest schemes of taxation we have ever had. All social classes will share the burden of additional taxes, but no one class is overburdened. There will, of course, be some outcry from those affected by the new taxation, but as rich people on the whole have more time for crying out, and more means to do so, no doubt they will cry out the loudest. However, to advance the common good, it is right that they should bear their full share of its taxes. 5 Source B From a speech on the ‘People’s Budget’ in the House of Lords by Lord Harris, a Conservative peer and former minister, 30 November 1909. I object to the Budget on financial grounds. I think it is unsound and unjust in that it targets the propertied classes for special taxation purely to benefit other classes. I think it is dangerous because it goes too far in this respect. In addition, I am convinced that this quarrel has been forced on your Lordships deliberately, coolly and calmly by the government. One of its main aims during the last four years has been to attack landowners in an attempt to nationalise the land. I also oppose this Budget in the solemn conviction that it is my duty to defend the safety of the people and the constitution by preserving the liberties of this House. 5 0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, which of these two sources is more valuable in explaining the aims of the 1909 ‘People’s Budget’? [25 marks] IB/M/Jun24/7041/2M 3 Section B Answer either Question 02 or Question 03. Either 0 2 ‘Liberal division, in the years 1914 to 1922, was due to the First World War.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. [25 marks] or 0 3 ‘The British economy had more weaknesses than strengths in the years 1922 to 1929.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. [25 marks] END OF QUESTIONS IB/M/Jun24/7041/2M 4 There are no questions p