A LEVEL HISTORY A: Actual May 2025 PAST PAPER 1: Civil Rights in the USA 1865–1992. All
Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR Y319/01]
Exam Resource Summary
The A Level History A May 2025 Civil Rights in the USA 1865–1992 Paper (OCR Y319/01) combines the
full official examination paper with its detailed mark scheme to create a focused and comprehensive revision
resource. This paper assesses students’ understanding of the struggle for civil rights in the United States,
examining key developments from the post-Civil War Reconstruction era through the civil rights movements
of the 20th century, including the roles of influential leaders, legislation, social activism, and resistance.
Candidates are required to analyse primary and secondary sources, evaluate differing historical interpretations,
and construct well-supported, evidence-based arguments. By presenting each question alongside its marking
criteria, the resource offers clear guidance on examiner expectations, analytical depth, and the structured
responses required for high-band marks. This integrated format strengthens source evaluation, critical
thinking, and essay-writing skills, preparing students thoroughly for the May/June 2026 OCR A Level History
A Civil Rights in the USA 1865–1992 examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
Read the two passages and answer Question 1.
1 Evaluate the interpretations in both of the two passages.
Explain which you think is more convincing as an explanation of how far the New Deal improved
the position of African Americans. [30]
Passage A
© Zinn Howard, A People's History of the United States, p392, 397 and 404-5, Harper, 1980. From first line " The Roosevelt reforms went far beyond previous legislation." to last line "Harlem was a place that bred crime." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
Passage B
© Vivienne Saunders, Race Relations in the USA 1863-1980, p71-3, Hodder & Stoughton, 2006. From first line "Before 1933 the federal government had appeared uninterested in black Americans." to last line "While it was sometimes hard for them to make effective protests about unfairness in the administration
© OCR 2025 Y319/01 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Answer any two questions.
2* To what extent did the aims of the campaigners for African American civil rights remain the same
in the period from 1865 to 1992? [25]
3* ‘The Federal Government was the most important factor limiting the development of trade union
and labour rights in the period from 1865 to 1992.’
How far do you agree? [25]
4* ‘Women in America gained greater gender equality in the period before the end of the Second
World War than after it.‘
How far do you agree with this view of the period from 1865 to 1992? [25]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 Y319/01 Jun25
Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR Y319/01]
Exam Resource Summary
The A Level History A May 2025 Civil Rights in the USA 1865–1992 Paper (OCR Y319/01) combines the
full official examination paper with its detailed mark scheme to create a focused and comprehensive revision
resource. This paper assesses students’ understanding of the struggle for civil rights in the United States,
examining key developments from the post-Civil War Reconstruction era through the civil rights movements
of the 20th century, including the roles of influential leaders, legislation, social activism, and resistance.
Candidates are required to analyse primary and secondary sources, evaluate differing historical interpretations,
and construct well-supported, evidence-based arguments. By presenting each question alongside its marking
criteria, the resource offers clear guidance on examiner expectations, analytical depth, and the structured
responses required for high-band marks. This integrated format strengthens source evaluation, critical
thinking, and essay-writing skills, preparing students thoroughly for the May/June 2026 OCR A Level History
A Civil Rights in the USA 1865–1992 examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
Read the two passages and answer Question 1.
1 Evaluate the interpretations in both of the two passages.
Explain which you think is more convincing as an explanation of how far the New Deal improved
the position of African Americans. [30]
Passage A
© Zinn Howard, A People's History of the United States, p392, 397 and 404-5, Harper, 1980. From first line " The Roosevelt reforms went far beyond previous legislation." to last line "Harlem was a place that bred crime." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
Passage B
© Vivienne Saunders, Race Relations in the USA 1863-1980, p71-3, Hodder & Stoughton, 2006. From first line "Before 1933 the federal government had appeared uninterested in black Americans." to last line "While it was sometimes hard for them to make effective protests about unfairness in the administration
© OCR 2025 Y319/01 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Answer any two questions.
2* To what extent did the aims of the campaigners for African American civil rights remain the same
in the period from 1865 to 1992? [25]
3* ‘The Federal Government was the most important factor limiting the development of trade union
and labour rights in the period from 1865 to 1992.’
How far do you agree? [25]
4* ‘Women in America gained greater gender equality in the period before the end of the Second
World War than after it.‘
How far do you agree with this view of the period from 1865 to 1992? [25]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 Y319/01 Jun25
