Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR) AS Level History A Y253-01 The Cold War in Europe 1941–1995 Question Paper with Exam-Ready Examiner Mark Scheme (2025)

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2025 OCR AS Level History A
Y253/01 The Cold War in Europe 1941–1995
Verified Question paper with Marking Scheme Attached



Oxford Cambridge and RSA


Monday 19 May 2025 – Afternoon
AS Level History A
Y253/01 The Cold War in Europe 1941–1995
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes


You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet




INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must be
clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer either Question 1 or Question 2 in Section A. Answer Question 3 in Section B.

INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 50.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.

ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.




© OCR 2025 [F/506/4350] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (WW) 351072/1 Turn over




2025 OCR
Download
AS Level
2025
theHistory
2025
OCR OCR
AS
A Y253-01
Level
A/ASHistory
Level
The Cold
A
question
Y253-01
War paper,
inThe
Europe
Cold
including
1941–1995
War the
in Europe
complete
Verified
1941–1995
Question
Question
Paper
Verified
paper
with
with
Question
Exam-Ready
Marking
paper
Scheme
Examiner
with Marking
Attached.pdf
Mark
Scheme
Scheme
Attached

,Page 2Download
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2

Section A

Answer Question 1 or Question 2.


1* How important were atomic weapons in the development of the Cold War during the period from 1946
to 1955? [30]


2* ‘Economic problems in the USSR and Eastern Europe were the main reason for the end of the Cold
War.’

How far do you agree? [30]




© OCR 2025 Y253/01 Jun25


2025 OCR
Download
AS Level
2025
theHistory
2025
OCR OCR
AS
A Y253-01
Level
A/ASHistory
Level
The Cold
A
question
Y253-01
War paper,
inThe
Europe
Cold
including
1941–1995
War the
in Europe
complete
Verified
1941–1995
Question
Question
Paper
Verified
paper
with
with
Question
Exam-Ready
Marking
paper
Scheme
Examiner
with Marking
Attached.pdf
Mark
Scheme
Scheme
Attached

, Page 3Download
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the 2025the
OCR
2025
A/AS
OCRLevel
A/ASquestion
Level question
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the complete
Question
Question
Paper with
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with Exam-Ready
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Mark Scheme

3

Section B


3 Read the interpretation and answer the question that follows.

© Richard Brown and Christopher Daniels, Twentieth Century Europe, p.108, Macmillan, 1981. Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.




Evaluate the strengths and limitations of this interpretation of the origins of the Cold War during the
period from 1941 to 1945, making reference to other interpretations you have studied. [20]



END OF QUESTION PAPER




© OCR 2025 Y253/01 Jun25


2025 OCR
Download
AS Level
2025
theHistory
2025
OCR OCR
AS
A Y253-01
Level
A/ASHistory
Level
The Cold
A
question
Y253-01
War paper,
inThe
Europe
Cold
including
1941–1995
War the
in Europe
complete
Verified
1941–1995
Question
Question
Paper
Verified
paper
with
with
Question
Exam-Ready
Marking
paper
Scheme
Examiner
with Marking
Attached.pdf
Mark
Scheme
Scheme
Attached