GCSE (9–1) HISTORY A — May 2025 PAST PAPER: International Relations & The USA
Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J410/06]
Exam Resource Summary
The May 2025 GCSE (9–1) History A International Relations: The Changing International Order 1918–
1975 with The USA 1919–1948 – The People and the State Paper (OCR J410/06) provides a fully merged
resource that combines the complete examination paper with its official mark scheme. This integrated
format allows learners to see exactly how each question is assessed, providing clarity on examiner
expectations and the criteria for high-band responses. This component assesses students’ knowledge and
understanding of major twentieth-century international relations and key developments in the USA
between 1919 and 1948. Candidates are required to analyse causes, events, and consequences in global
politics from 1918–1975, alongside exploring social, political, and economic transformations in the USA
during the interwar period. The paper evaluates historical interpretation, source analysis, and the ability to
construct coherent, evidence-based arguments. By pairing each question with detailed marking guidance,
this resource helps learners strengthen analytical and evaluative skills, refine their historical reasoning,
and improve the clarity and structure of written answers. It supports focused revision and prepares
students thoroughly 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.
There was plenty of evidence that Hitler was following a policy of aggression, but Neville
Chamberlain was a man of limited intelligence. He simply could not believe that Hitler was
any different from himself. If Chamberlain wanted peace, so must Hitler. If the evidence
contradicted him, he ignored it. Chamberlain did not want to strengthen the alliance against
Hitler, he wanted to break it up in order to clear the way for his personal diplomacy. The
fact that he acted out of arrogance and stupidity, not out of wickedness, is no excuse. Hitler
flattered Chamberlain by telling him he was the only man he had ever given in to, and
Chamberlain believed him.
© OCR 2025 J410/06 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.
Neither side made a decision to start the Cold War. It happened because each followed
policies which the other saw as a threat. The USSR thought it had no choice but to strengthen
its security in Eastern Europe. The Americans saw this as the USSR’s first step towards taking
over Europe and so they responded by declaring their interest in Eastern Europe. This made
the USSR think that the USA was trying to set up anti‑ Soviet governments in the area. There
was a failure of communication between the USA and the USSR and, as time went on, a
tendency to think the worst of the other side’s actions.
Soviet is another term for the USSR.
Turn over for Section B
© OCR 2025 J410/06 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
Section B
The USA 1919–1948: The People and the State
You should spend about 45 minutes on this section.
5 Describe one example of discrimination against women in the USA during the 1920s. [2]
6 Explain how the Second World War affected the USA’s economy. [10]
7
(a) Study Source A.
What is the message of the cartoonist? [5]
Source A
A cartoon published in a US newspaper in March 1936.
Roosevelt and one of his advisors are pictured in the cartoon.
Roosevelt is the figure on the right wearing a hat.
JUST IN CASE THEY EVER WANTED TO SLOW DOWN…
© OCR 2025 J410/06 Jun25
Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J410/06]
Exam Resource Summary
The May 2025 GCSE (9–1) History A International Relations: The Changing International Order 1918–
1975 with The USA 1919–1948 – The People and the State Paper (OCR J410/06) provides a fully merged
resource that combines the complete examination paper with its official mark scheme. This integrated
format allows learners to see exactly how each question is assessed, providing clarity on examiner
expectations and the criteria for high-band responses. This component assesses students’ knowledge and
understanding of major twentieth-century international relations and key developments in the USA
between 1919 and 1948. Candidates are required to analyse causes, events, and consequences in global
politics from 1918–1975, alongside exploring social, political, and economic transformations in the USA
during the interwar period. The paper evaluates historical interpretation, source analysis, and the ability to
construct coherent, evidence-based arguments. By pairing each question with detailed marking guidance,
this resource helps learners strengthen analytical and evaluative skills, refine their historical reasoning,
and improve the clarity and structure of written answers. It supports focused revision and prepares
students thoroughly 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.
There was plenty of evidence that Hitler was following a policy of aggression, but Neville
Chamberlain was a man of limited intelligence. He simply could not believe that Hitler was
any different from himself. If Chamberlain wanted peace, so must Hitler. If the evidence
contradicted him, he ignored it. Chamberlain did not want to strengthen the alliance against
Hitler, he wanted to break it up in order to clear the way for his personal diplomacy. The
fact that he acted out of arrogance and stupidity, not out of wickedness, is no excuse. Hitler
flattered Chamberlain by telling him he was the only man he had ever given in to, and
Chamberlain believed him.
© OCR 2025 J410/06 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.
Neither side made a decision to start the Cold War. It happened because each followed
policies which the other saw as a threat. The USSR thought it had no choice but to strengthen
its security in Eastern Europe. The Americans saw this as the USSR’s first step towards taking
over Europe and so they responded by declaring their interest in Eastern Europe. This made
the USSR think that the USA was trying to set up anti‑ Soviet governments in the area. There
was a failure of communication between the USA and the USSR and, as time went on, a
tendency to think the worst of the other side’s actions.
Soviet is another term for the USSR.
Turn over for Section B
© OCR 2025 J410/06 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
Section B
The USA 1919–1948: The People and the State
You should spend about 45 minutes on this section.
5 Describe one example of discrimination against women in the USA during the 1920s. [2]
6 Explain how the Second World War affected the USA’s economy. [10]
7
(a) Study Source A.
What is the message of the cartoonist? [5]
Source A
A cartoon published in a US newspaper in March 1936.
Roosevelt and one of his advisors are pictured in the cartoon.
Roosevelt is the figure on the right wearing a hat.
JUST IN CASE THEY EVER WANTED TO SLOW DOWN…
© OCR 2025 J410/06 Jun25
