GCSE (9–1) HISTORY A — May 2025 PAST PAPER: International Relations & South Africa
Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J410/05]
Exam Resource Summary
The May 2025 GCSE (9–1) History A International Relations: The Changing International Order 1918–1975
with South Africa 1960–1994 – The People and the State Paper (OCR J410/05) provides a fully merged
resource combining the complete examination paper with its official mark scheme. This integrated format
allows learners to see exactly how each question is assessed, clarifying examiner expectations and highlighting
the skills required for high-band responses. This component examines twentieth-century international relations
alongside the historical development of South Africa during the apartheid era. Candidates are expected to
analyse the causes, key events, and consequences of global political changes between 1918 and 1975, as well as
explore social, political, and economic developments in South Africa from 1960–1994. The paper assesses
students’ ability to evaluate sources, interpret historical evidence, and construct coherent, evidence-based
arguments. By presenting each question alongside its marking criteria, this resource strengthens learners’
analytical, evaluative, and historical reasoning skills. It supports structured, precise writing, enhances
confidence in tackling complex historical issues, and thoroughly prepares students 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 rem
© OCR 2025 J410/05 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 restrict
Turn over for Section B
© OCR 2025 J410/05 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
Section B
South Africa 1960–1994: The People and the State
You should spend about 45 minutes on this section.
5 Describe one feature of the South African elections of 1994. [2]
6 Explain why PW Botha’s ‘total strategy’ failed in the 1980s. [10]
7
(a) Study Source A.
Explain how this source is useful to a historian studying Apartheid in South Africa. [5]
Source A
From a speech by Hendrik Verwoerd, South African Prime Minister, in 1961.
He was speaking to journalists at a press conference that was broadcast around the world on
television.
Transcribed from bbc.co.uk. From first line "Our policy is one which is called by an Afrikaans word, ‘Apartheid’." to last line "This can best be done when you act as good neighbours always do. Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions. Link to material - https://www.bbc.co.uk/program
© OCR 2025 J410/05 Jun25
Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J410/05]
Exam Resource Summary
The May 2025 GCSE (9–1) History A International Relations: The Changing International Order 1918–1975
with South Africa 1960–1994 – The People and the State Paper (OCR J410/05) provides a fully merged
resource combining the complete examination paper with its official mark scheme. This integrated format
allows learners to see exactly how each question is assessed, clarifying examiner expectations and highlighting
the skills required for high-band responses. This component examines twentieth-century international relations
alongside the historical development of South Africa during the apartheid era. Candidates are expected to
analyse the causes, key events, and consequences of global political changes between 1918 and 1975, as well as
explore social, political, and economic developments in South Africa from 1960–1994. The paper assesses
students’ ability to evaluate sources, interpret historical evidence, and construct coherent, evidence-based
arguments. By presenting each question alongside its marking criteria, this resource strengthens learners’
analytical, evaluative, and historical reasoning skills. It supports structured, precise writing, enhances
confidence in tackling complex historical issues, and thoroughly prepares students 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 rem
© OCR 2025 J410/05 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 restrict
Turn over for Section B
© OCR 2025 J410/05 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
Section B
South Africa 1960–1994: The People and the State
You should spend about 45 minutes on this section.
5 Describe one feature of the South African elections of 1994. [2]
6 Explain why PW Botha’s ‘total strategy’ failed in the 1980s. [10]
7
(a) Study Source A.
Explain how this source is useful to a historian studying Apartheid in South Africa. [5]
Source A
From a speech by Hendrik Verwoerd, South African Prime Minister, in 1961.
He was speaking to journalists at a press conference that was broadcast around the world on
television.
Transcribed from bbc.co.uk. From first line "Our policy is one which is called by an Afrikaans word, ‘Apartheid’." to last line "This can best be done when you act as good neighbours always do. Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions. Link to material - https://www.bbc.co.uk/program
© OCR 2025 J410/05 Jun25
