A LEVEL HISTORY A: Actual May 2025 PAST PAPER: From Colonialism to Independence – The
British Empire 1857–1965. All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR Y320/01]
Exam Resource Summary
The A Level History A May 2025 From Colonialism to Independence: The British Empire 1857–1965 Paper
(OCR Y320/01) offers a complete revision tool that merges the full official examination paper with its
detailed mark scheme. This unit examines the expansion, administration, and eventual decolonisation of the
British Empire across more than a century of political, economic, and social change. Key areas include
governance in India after 1857, imperial ideologies, the role of economics and trade, strategies of control,
resistance movements, the world wars’ impact on the empire, and the accelerated transitions to independence
after 1945. Students must interpret primary sources, evaluate differing historical interpretations, and produce
well-structured, evidence-driven essays that demonstrate analytical depth. By presenting each exam question
alongside examiner commentary and criteria for top-level marks, this resource helps learners understand
exactly what is required to reach higher bands—such as nuanced judgement, strong contextual
understanding, and sophisticated argumentation. The integrated format supports efficient, targeted revision
and builds the skills needed for success in the May/June 2026 OCR A Level History A From Colonialism to
Independence: The British Empire 1857–1965 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 the rise of Nationalism in Kenya
during the period from 1945 to 1965. [30]
Passage A
© Piers Brendon, The Decline and Fall of the British Empire, 1781-1997, p545-6, Vintage, 2008. From first line "African opposition to colonial rule in Kenya had been smouldering ever since the advent of European settlers," to last line "It appointed native chiefs who would co-operate with them, dividing Africans
Passage B
© Hourly History. Mau Mau Rebellion: A History from Beginning to End, p3-6, Independently published, 2020. From first line "The British were not a welcome presence in the region." to last line "This led many Kenyans to realise that they were supporting a foreign class living much better than they were
© OCR 2025 Y320/01 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Answer any two questions.
2* ‘Gandhi had more impact than any other nationalist leader in the British Empire during the period
from 1857 to 1965.’
How far do you agree? [25]
3* ‘Famine was the most important impact of the British Empire on the periphery.’
How far do you agree with this view of the period from 1857 to 1965? [25]
4* ‘European rivalry over the British Empire was greater during the period from 1857 to 1914 than
during the period from 1914 to 1965.’
How far do you agree? [25]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 Y320/01 Jun25
British Empire 1857–1965. All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR Y320/01]
Exam Resource Summary
The A Level History A May 2025 From Colonialism to Independence: The British Empire 1857–1965 Paper
(OCR Y320/01) offers a complete revision tool that merges the full official examination paper with its
detailed mark scheme. This unit examines the expansion, administration, and eventual decolonisation of the
British Empire across more than a century of political, economic, and social change. Key areas include
governance in India after 1857, imperial ideologies, the role of economics and trade, strategies of control,
resistance movements, the world wars’ impact on the empire, and the accelerated transitions to independence
after 1945. Students must interpret primary sources, evaluate differing historical interpretations, and produce
well-structured, evidence-driven essays that demonstrate analytical depth. By presenting each exam question
alongside examiner commentary and criteria for top-level marks, this resource helps learners understand
exactly what is required to reach higher bands—such as nuanced judgement, strong contextual
understanding, and sophisticated argumentation. The integrated format supports efficient, targeted revision
and builds the skills needed for success in the May/June 2026 OCR A Level History A From Colonialism to
Independence: The British Empire 1857–1965 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 the rise of Nationalism in Kenya
during the period from 1945 to 1965. [30]
Passage A
© Piers Brendon, The Decline and Fall of the British Empire, 1781-1997, p545-6, Vintage, 2008. From first line "African opposition to colonial rule in Kenya had been smouldering ever since the advent of European settlers," to last line "It appointed native chiefs who would co-operate with them, dividing Africans
Passage B
© Hourly History. Mau Mau Rebellion: A History from Beginning to End, p3-6, Independently published, 2020. From first line "The British were not a welcome presence in the region." to last line "This led many Kenyans to realise that they were supporting a foreign class living much better than they were
© OCR 2025 Y320/01 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Answer any two questions.
2* ‘Gandhi had more impact than any other nationalist leader in the British Empire during the period
from 1857 to 1965.’
How far do you agree? [25]
3* ‘Famine was the most important impact of the British Empire on the periphery.’
How far do you agree with this view of the period from 1857 to 1965? [25]
4* ‘European rivalry over the British Empire was greater during the period from 1857 to 1914 than
during the period from 1914 to 1965.’
How far do you agree? [25]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 Y320/01 Jun25
