GCSE (9–1) HISTORY A — May 2025 PAST PAPER: International Relations & China
Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J410/01]
Exam Resource Summary
The May 2025 GCSE (9–1) History A International Relations: The Changing International Order 1918–
1975 with China 1950–1981 – The People and the State Paper (OCR J410/01) provides a fully merged
resource combining the complete examination paper with its official mark scheme. This format allows
learners to understand exactly how each question is assessed, offering clarity on examiner expectations and
the skills required to achieve high-band responses. This component assesses students’ understanding of major
twentieth-century international relations and Chinese history. Candidates are expected to analyse the causes,
events, and consequences of key developments in global politics between 1918 and 1975, and explore
political, social, and economic changes in China from 1950–1981. The paper requires critical evaluation of
historical sources, interpretation of evidence, and the construction of coherent, well-argued responses. By
aligning each question with its detailed marking guidance, this resource helps learners develop strong
analytical, evaluative, and source-based skills, improve the clarity and structure of extended written answers,
and gain confidence in tackling complex historical issues. This merged resource ensures thorough preparation
for the 2026 OCR GCSE History A (Explaining the Modern World) examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
International Relations: the changing international order 1918–1975
You should spend about 1 hour on this section.
1 Outline how the terms of the Treaty of Versailles were intended to ensure future peace. [5]
2 Explain why Cuba became a focus of tension between the USSR and the USA in the 1960s. [10]
3 Study Interpretation A.
Do you think this interpretation is a fair comment on Neville Chamberlain and his policies in the
period 1937–1939?
Use other interpretations of the events of 1937–1939 and your knowledge to support your
answer. [25]
Interpretation A
From ‘Munich – Its Lessons Ten Years Later’, an essay written by British historian
Hugh Trevor‑ Roper, published in 1948.
© Francis L. Loewenheim, Peace or appeasement? Hitler, Chamberlain, and the Munich crisis, page 150, Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1965. Fr om first line "There was plenty of evidence that Hitler was following a policy of aggression," to last line "and Chamberlain believed him." Item remo
© OCR 2025 J410/02 Jun25
, 3
4 Study Interpretation B.
Explain why not all historians and commentators have agreed with this interpretation.
Use other interpretations and your knowledge to support your answer. [20]
() Spelling, punctuation and grammar and the use of specialist terminology [5]
Interpretation B
From ‘The Origins of the Cold War’, an essay written by US historian Arthur Schlesinger,
published in 1970.
© Lloyd Calvin Gardner, The origins of the Cold War, page 68-77, pages 111-117, 1970, Ginn & Co. From first line "Neither side made a decision to start the Cold War." to last line "a tendency to think the worst of the other side’s actions." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions
Turn over for Section B
© OCR 2025 J410/02 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
Section B
Germany 1925–1955: The People and the State
You should spend about 45 minutes on this section.
5 Describe one way the Nazis dealt with opposition during the Second World War. [2]
6 Explain how young people reacted to the Nazi regime between 1933 and 1939. [10]
7
(a) Study Source A.
Explain why this photograph was published in 1937. [5]
Source A
A photograph published in 1937 by a Nazi organisation. It shows a scene from an infant care
course for stay‑ at‑ home mothers.
© OCR 2025 J410/02 Jun25
Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J410/01]
Exam Resource Summary
The May 2025 GCSE (9–1) History A International Relations: The Changing International Order 1918–
1975 with China 1950–1981 – The People and the State Paper (OCR J410/01) provides a fully merged
resource combining the complete examination paper with its official mark scheme. This format allows
learners to understand exactly how each question is assessed, offering clarity on examiner expectations and
the skills required to achieve high-band responses. This component assesses students’ understanding of major
twentieth-century international relations and Chinese history. Candidates are expected to analyse the causes,
events, and consequences of key developments in global politics between 1918 and 1975, and explore
political, social, and economic changes in China from 1950–1981. The paper requires critical evaluation of
historical sources, interpretation of evidence, and the construction of coherent, well-argued responses. By
aligning each question with its detailed marking guidance, this resource helps learners develop strong
analytical, evaluative, and source-based skills, improve the clarity and structure of extended written answers,
and gain confidence in tackling complex historical issues. This merged resource ensures thorough preparation
for the 2026 OCR GCSE History A (Explaining the Modern World) examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
International Relations: the changing international order 1918–1975
You should spend about 1 hour on this section.
1 Outline how the terms of the Treaty of Versailles were intended to ensure future peace. [5]
2 Explain why Cuba became a focus of tension between the USSR and the USA in the 1960s. [10]
3 Study Interpretation A.
Do you think this interpretation is a fair comment on Neville Chamberlain and his policies in the
period 1937–1939?
Use other interpretations of the events of 1937–1939 and your knowledge to support your
answer. [25]
Interpretation A
From ‘Munich – Its Lessons Ten Years Later’, an essay written by British historian
Hugh Trevor‑ Roper, published in 1948.
© Francis L. Loewenheim, Peace or appeasement? Hitler, Chamberlain, and the Munich crisis, page 150, Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1965. Fr om first line "There was plenty of evidence that Hitler was following a policy of aggression," to last line "and Chamberlain believed him." Item remo
© OCR 2025 J410/02 Jun25
, 3
4 Study Interpretation B.
Explain why not all historians and commentators have agreed with this interpretation.
Use other interpretations and your knowledge to support your answer. [20]
() Spelling, punctuation and grammar and the use of specialist terminology [5]
Interpretation B
From ‘The Origins of the Cold War’, an essay written by US historian Arthur Schlesinger,
published in 1970.
© Lloyd Calvin Gardner, The origins of the Cold War, page 68-77, pages 111-117, 1970, Ginn & Co. From first line "Neither side made a decision to start the Cold War." to last line "a tendency to think the worst of the other side’s actions." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions
Turn over for Section B
© OCR 2025 J410/02 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
Section B
Germany 1925–1955: The People and the State
You should spend about 45 minutes on this section.
5 Describe one way the Nazis dealt with opposition during the Second World War. [2]
6 Explain how young people reacted to the Nazi regime between 1933 and 1939. [10]
7
(a) Study Source A.
Explain why this photograph was published in 1937. [5]
Source A
A photograph published in 1937 by a Nazi organisation. It shows a scene from an infant care
course for stay‑ at‑ home mothers.
© OCR 2025 J410/02 Jun25
