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[Verified 2025] History Cold War GCSE
Edexcel Exam| 2024/2025| Correct
Questions and Answers
Why did the Grand Alliance start to fall apart after WW2?
The USA and USSR only teamed up to beat Hitler. Once that was done, their totally opposite
ideologies (capitalism vs communism) clashed big time.
How did the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences show tensions between the superpowers?
At Yalta (Feb 1945), they mostly agreed. But by Potsdam (July 1945), it was awkward—
Truman was more anti-communist, and the US had just tested the atomic bomb.
Why was the Truman Doctrine a big deal in the Cold War?
It was the first time the US openly promised to stop communism spreading—basically the
start of ‘containment’ policy.
What was the Marshall Plan and why did Stalin hate it?
It gave money to help rebuild Europe after WW2—but only to stop countries turning to
communism. Stalin saw it as the US buying influence.
How did Stalin respond to the Marshall Plan?
He banned Eastern European countries from taking the money and set up Comecon to give
aid his way—but it didn’t really work as well.
, 2
Why was Germany such a flashpoint in the Cold War?
Because it was split between capitalist West and communist East—and both sides didn’t
want to give it up.
Explain why Stalin blockaded Berlin in 1948.
He was angry the West was merging zones and creating a new currency (Deutschmark)
without him—he wanted to push them out of Berlin.
How did the Berlin Airlift help the USA in the Cold War?
It made the West look like heroes flying in supplies, while Stalin looked cruel for trying to
starve people. Big win for US propaganda.
Describe two consequences of the Berlin Blockade.
Germany split into West (FRG) and East (GDR), and NATO was set up—so Cold War just
got more official and more dangerous.
Why was NATO formed in 1949?
To defend the West from Soviet attack—“an attack on one is an attack on all.” It was proper
team-up time for the West.
, 3
How did the USSR respond to NATO?
They created the Warsaw Pact (1955) with their Eastern Bloc countries—basically their own
military gang.
What was the arms race and why did it cause tension?
The US and USSR kept trying to outdo each other with nuclear weapons—more bombs,
bigger bombs, faster bombs. Everyone was scared stiff.
Why did the Hungarian Uprising happen in 1956?
Hungarians were fed up with Soviet control and wanted reforms—when Khrushchev hinted
at change, they thought they had a chance.
How did the USSR respond to the Hungarian Uprising?
They sent in tanks and crushed it. Around 2,500 Hungarians were killed. No help came from
the West, which made Khrushchev look strong.
What did the Hungarian Uprising show about the Cold War?
That the USSR would keep tight control over Eastern Europe—and the West wouldn’t risk
war to stop them.
Why was the Berlin Wall built in 1961?
Too many people were escaping from East to West Berlin—it made communism look bad.
The wall stopped that and kept East Berliners trapped.
[Verified 2025] History Cold War GCSE
Edexcel Exam| 2024/2025| Correct
Questions and Answers
Why did the Grand Alliance start to fall apart after WW2?
The USA and USSR only teamed up to beat Hitler. Once that was done, their totally opposite
ideologies (capitalism vs communism) clashed big time.
How did the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences show tensions between the superpowers?
At Yalta (Feb 1945), they mostly agreed. But by Potsdam (July 1945), it was awkward—
Truman was more anti-communist, and the US had just tested the atomic bomb.
Why was the Truman Doctrine a big deal in the Cold War?
It was the first time the US openly promised to stop communism spreading—basically the
start of ‘containment’ policy.
What was the Marshall Plan and why did Stalin hate it?
It gave money to help rebuild Europe after WW2—but only to stop countries turning to
communism. Stalin saw it as the US buying influence.
How did Stalin respond to the Marshall Plan?
He banned Eastern European countries from taking the money and set up Comecon to give
aid his way—but it didn’t really work as well.
, 2
Why was Germany such a flashpoint in the Cold War?
Because it was split between capitalist West and communist East—and both sides didn’t
want to give it up.
Explain why Stalin blockaded Berlin in 1948.
He was angry the West was merging zones and creating a new currency (Deutschmark)
without him—he wanted to push them out of Berlin.
How did the Berlin Airlift help the USA in the Cold War?
It made the West look like heroes flying in supplies, while Stalin looked cruel for trying to
starve people. Big win for US propaganda.
Describe two consequences of the Berlin Blockade.
Germany split into West (FRG) and East (GDR), and NATO was set up—so Cold War just
got more official and more dangerous.
Why was NATO formed in 1949?
To defend the West from Soviet attack—“an attack on one is an attack on all.” It was proper
team-up time for the West.
, 3
How did the USSR respond to NATO?
They created the Warsaw Pact (1955) with their Eastern Bloc countries—basically their own
military gang.
What was the arms race and why did it cause tension?
The US and USSR kept trying to outdo each other with nuclear weapons—more bombs,
bigger bombs, faster bombs. Everyone was scared stiff.
Why did the Hungarian Uprising happen in 1956?
Hungarians were fed up with Soviet control and wanted reforms—when Khrushchev hinted
at change, they thought they had a chance.
How did the USSR respond to the Hungarian Uprising?
They sent in tanks and crushed it. Around 2,500 Hungarians were killed. No help came from
the West, which made Khrushchev look strong.
What did the Hungarian Uprising show about the Cold War?
That the USSR would keep tight control over Eastern Europe—and the West wouldn’t risk
war to stop them.
Why was the Berlin Wall built in 1961?
Too many people were escaping from East to West Berlin—it made communism look bad.
The wall stopped that and kept East Berliners trapped.
