GCSE (9–1) HISTORY B — June 2025 PAST PAPER: Crime and Punishment & Britain in
Peace and War Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J411/16]
Exam Resource Summary
The June 2025 GCSE (9–1) History B Crime and Punishment c.1250 to Present with Britain in
Peace and War 1900–1918 Paper (OCR J411/16) provides a fully merged resource combining the
complete examination paper with its official mark scheme. This integrated format enables learners
to see exactly how each question is assessed, clarifying examiner expectations and outlining the
standards required for top-band responses. This component examines the historical development of
crime and punishment in Britain across the centuries alongside Britain’s social, political, and
military experiences during the early twentieth century, including the First World War. Candidates
are expected to analyse historical sources, evaluate interpretations, and construct coherent,
evidence-based arguments demonstrating understanding of continuity, change, causation, and
significance. By presenting each question with its detailed marking guidance, the resource
strengthens learners’ analytical and evaluative skills, improves the clarity and structure of written
responses, and provides focused practice for high-quality historical writing. It serves as an essential
revision tool, preparing students thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE History B (Schools History
Project) examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
Crime and Punishment, c.1250 to present
Answer Questions 1(a–c), 2 and 3.
1
(a) Name one crime in medieval Britain (1250–1500) which could be punished by execution. [1]
(b) Name one new punishment introduced in the early modern period (1500–1750). [1]
(c) Identify one reason why the crime rate changed during the period 1900 to 2015. [1]
2 Write a clear and organised summary that analyses the use of technology in law enforcement
since c.1900.
Support your summary with examples. [9]
3 Why was the Metropolitan Police Force set up in 1829?
Explain your answer. [10]
Answer Question 4 or Question 5.
4* ‘The role of the community in enforcing the law and punishing criminals was more important in
the medieval period (1250–1500) than it has been after 1900.’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
5* ‘The reason punishments changed in the period 1750–1900 was because of new concerns about
people’s welfare.’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
© OCR 2025 J411/16 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Britain in Peace and War, 1900–1918
Answer Questions 6 (a–b) and 7.
6
(a) In Interpretation A, the historian tries to show the strength of the support for the Boer War in
some parts of Britain.
Identify and explain one way in which he does this. [3]
Interpretation A
An extract from a book called ‘Lloyd George’ by historian Peter Rowland, published in 1975.
This extract describes Lloyd George’s experiences at a meeting in Birmingham in 1901. Lloyd
George was a Liberal MP who was due to speak about the Liberals’ opposition to the Boer War.
By 8 o’clock the hall was jammed full with seven thousand people, the great majority of whom
were waving Union Jacks, blowing trumpets or whistles, shouting, chanting and singing. They
were determined that Lloyd George should not be heard.
Lloyd George rose to his feet, took off his coat and started to talk, despite the incredible noise
in the room. Within five minutes, however, the audience made a huge surge towards the stage
on which he was standing. At this point a group of policemen concealed beneath the stage
rushed out of their hiding place and an ugly struggle between truncheons on the one hand and
hammers and knives on the other got underway.
Lloyd George found himself under attack from a torrent of missiles – cans, bottles and bricks
wrapped with barbed wire. In danger of losing his life, he was eventually forced to leave.
(b) If you were asked to do further research on one aspect of Interpretation A, what would you
choose to investigate?
Explain how this would help us to analyse and understand attitudes in Britain towards the Boer
War. [5]
© OCR 2025 J411/16 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
7 Interpretations B and C both focus on the campaign for women’s suffrage.
How far do they differ and what might explain any differences? [12]
Interpretation B
An extract from an article about Millicent Fawcett on the website of the Fawcett Society.
The Fawcett Society is a charity which campaigns for women’s rights. It is named after Millicent
Fawcett who was the President of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (Suffragists)
from 1907 to 1919.
MILLICENT FAWCETT: A TIRELESS AND COURAGEOUS LEADER
We’ve been fighting for women’s equality since 1866 when, at just 19, Millicent Fawcett started
a petition for women’s votes. She went on to lead the peaceful suffrage campaign and made
this cause her lifetime’s work.
Fawcett became President of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (Suffragists).
With 50,000 members, it was the largest organisation campaigning for female suffrage at
the time. Her powerful but moderate campaign played a significant role in securing the first
extension of voting rights for women in 1918.
In 2018, 100 years since women first secured the right to vote, Millicent Fawcett made history
once again. She was the first woman commemorated with a statue in Parliament Square – an
important moment for the wider suffrage movement, and for women everywhere.
Interpretation C
An extract from an article in a British newspaper published in 2017. The article was written
by June Purvis, a historian who has written a biography of Emmeline Pankhurst. Emmeline
Pankhurst was the leader of the WSPU (Suffragettes).
The news that permission has been granted for a statue of Millicent Fawcett in Parliament
Square has not made me rejoice. It is wonderful that there will be a woman in that honoured
space outside Parliament, but by erecting a statue only of Fawcett, we are writing Emmeline
Pankhurst out of history.
The suffragists, under Millicent Fawcett, adopted legal tactics, such as writing letters to MPs
and peaceful demonstrations. Fawcett loudly criticised the actions of the militant (extreme)
suffragettes, arguing that they were harming the women’s cause.
Emmeline Pankhurst belongs in Parliament Square. She suffered 13 imprisonments during the
suffrage campaign, where she went on hunger, thirst and sleep strike. Instead, the public will
end up with a statue of a woman few people have heard of.
The names of 52 other women, including those of some suffragettes, are to be included at the
bottom of the statue. But they do not belong under Fawcett’s feet.
© OCR 2025 J411/16 Jun25
Peace and War Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J411/16]
Exam Resource Summary
The June 2025 GCSE (9–1) History B Crime and Punishment c.1250 to Present with Britain in
Peace and War 1900–1918 Paper (OCR J411/16) provides a fully merged resource combining the
complete examination paper with its official mark scheme. This integrated format enables learners
to see exactly how each question is assessed, clarifying examiner expectations and outlining the
standards required for top-band responses. This component examines the historical development of
crime and punishment in Britain across the centuries alongside Britain’s social, political, and
military experiences during the early twentieth century, including the First World War. Candidates
are expected to analyse historical sources, evaluate interpretations, and construct coherent,
evidence-based arguments demonstrating understanding of continuity, change, causation, and
significance. By presenting each question with its detailed marking guidance, the resource
strengthens learners’ analytical and evaluative skills, improves the clarity and structure of written
responses, and provides focused practice for high-quality historical writing. It serves as an essential
revision tool, preparing students thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE History B (Schools History
Project) examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
Crime and Punishment, c.1250 to present
Answer Questions 1(a–c), 2 and 3.
1
(a) Name one crime in medieval Britain (1250–1500) which could be punished by execution. [1]
(b) Name one new punishment introduced in the early modern period (1500–1750). [1]
(c) Identify one reason why the crime rate changed during the period 1900 to 2015. [1]
2 Write a clear and organised summary that analyses the use of technology in law enforcement
since c.1900.
Support your summary with examples. [9]
3 Why was the Metropolitan Police Force set up in 1829?
Explain your answer. [10]
Answer Question 4 or Question 5.
4* ‘The role of the community in enforcing the law and punishing criminals was more important in
the medieval period (1250–1500) than it has been after 1900.’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
5* ‘The reason punishments changed in the period 1750–1900 was because of new concerns about
people’s welfare.’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
© OCR 2025 J411/16 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Britain in Peace and War, 1900–1918
Answer Questions 6 (a–b) and 7.
6
(a) In Interpretation A, the historian tries to show the strength of the support for the Boer War in
some parts of Britain.
Identify and explain one way in which he does this. [3]
Interpretation A
An extract from a book called ‘Lloyd George’ by historian Peter Rowland, published in 1975.
This extract describes Lloyd George’s experiences at a meeting in Birmingham in 1901. Lloyd
George was a Liberal MP who was due to speak about the Liberals’ opposition to the Boer War.
By 8 o’clock the hall was jammed full with seven thousand people, the great majority of whom
were waving Union Jacks, blowing trumpets or whistles, shouting, chanting and singing. They
were determined that Lloyd George should not be heard.
Lloyd George rose to his feet, took off his coat and started to talk, despite the incredible noise
in the room. Within five minutes, however, the audience made a huge surge towards the stage
on which he was standing. At this point a group of policemen concealed beneath the stage
rushed out of their hiding place and an ugly struggle between truncheons on the one hand and
hammers and knives on the other got underway.
Lloyd George found himself under attack from a torrent of missiles – cans, bottles and bricks
wrapped with barbed wire. In danger of losing his life, he was eventually forced to leave.
(b) If you were asked to do further research on one aspect of Interpretation A, what would you
choose to investigate?
Explain how this would help us to analyse and understand attitudes in Britain towards the Boer
War. [5]
© OCR 2025 J411/16 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
7 Interpretations B and C both focus on the campaign for women’s suffrage.
How far do they differ and what might explain any differences? [12]
Interpretation B
An extract from an article about Millicent Fawcett on the website of the Fawcett Society.
The Fawcett Society is a charity which campaigns for women’s rights. It is named after Millicent
Fawcett who was the President of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (Suffragists)
from 1907 to 1919.
MILLICENT FAWCETT: A TIRELESS AND COURAGEOUS LEADER
We’ve been fighting for women’s equality since 1866 when, at just 19, Millicent Fawcett started
a petition for women’s votes. She went on to lead the peaceful suffrage campaign and made
this cause her lifetime’s work.
Fawcett became President of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (Suffragists).
With 50,000 members, it was the largest organisation campaigning for female suffrage at
the time. Her powerful but moderate campaign played a significant role in securing the first
extension of voting rights for women in 1918.
In 2018, 100 years since women first secured the right to vote, Millicent Fawcett made history
once again. She was the first woman commemorated with a statue in Parliament Square – an
important moment for the wider suffrage movement, and for women everywhere.
Interpretation C
An extract from an article in a British newspaper published in 2017. The article was written
by June Purvis, a historian who has written a biography of Emmeline Pankhurst. Emmeline
Pankhurst was the leader of the WSPU (Suffragettes).
The news that permission has been granted for a statue of Millicent Fawcett in Parliament
Square has not made me rejoice. It is wonderful that there will be a woman in that honoured
space outside Parliament, but by erecting a statue only of Fawcett, we are writing Emmeline
Pankhurst out of history.
The suffragists, under Millicent Fawcett, adopted legal tactics, such as writing letters to MPs
and peaceful demonstrations. Fawcett loudly criticised the actions of the militant (extreme)
suffragettes, arguing that they were harming the women’s cause.
Emmeline Pankhurst belongs in Parliament Square. She suffered 13 imprisonments during the
suffrage campaign, where she went on hunger, thirst and sleep strike. Instead, the public will
end up with a statue of a woman few people have heard of.
The names of 52 other women, including those of some suffragettes, are to be included at the
bottom of the statue. But they do not belong under Fawcett’s feet.
© OCR 2025 J411/16 Jun25
