ACTUAL 2025 AQA A-LEVEL HISTORY Component 2G The Birth of the USA, 1760–1801
Question Paper & Mark Scheme (Merged) Friday 6 June 2025 [VERIFIED]
IB/G/Jun25/G4005/E3 7042/2G
, 2
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Source A
From an article by Benjamin Franklin, an official representative for several colonies based in
London, printed in London newspapers, September 1773 and in the Pennsylvania Gazette,
December 1773.
British gentlemen, you should be wary of your North American colonies. You govern them by
severe laws and prevent colonists from enjoying the same rights as Englishmen, or the same
privileges in commerce. Nor do you allow them any share in the choice of the lawmakers.
However peaceably your colonies have submitted to your government, shown their 5
affection to your interests, and patiently borne their complaints, you deny them the rights and
privileges of British subjects. You quarter troops among them, who by their insolence provoke
the rising of mobs, and by their bullets suppress them.
By this means, you may in time threaten the colonists’ loyalty to Britain. As the colonies increase in
population, commerce and manufacturing, they believe this entitles them to 10
the same rights and favour as Englishmen. You should be mindful that if you continue to punish
them for their principles of liberty, they will establish a revolution and seek to break free from
British rule.
Source B
From an extract from ‘Common Sense’ by Thomas Paine, January 1776. Common Sense
sold over 120 000 copies between January and July 1776.
Only independence can keep the peace of this continent and preserve it from civil wars. There is
ten times more to dread from a patched-up reconciliation with Britain, than from independence.
Those that oppose independence will allow the eternal tyranny of the British government. If
there is any reason to fear independence, it is because men do
not see the way out. A government of our own is our natural right, and if we reflect on 5
the precariousness of our affairs, we will become convinced that it is much wiser when we have
it in our power to form our own constitution.
Our great strength lies in unity. If the colonies united, we would have the largest body of armed
men of any power. The present time is right for us to fight for independence
because the smaller our population, the more land available, which instead of being 10
lavished by the King on his worthless dependants we could use to pay off any debts we suffer for
gaining our independence.
IB/G/Jun25/7042/2G
, 3
Source C
From a speech to the State House in Philadelphia by Samuel Adams, 1 August 1776.
No man used to have greater respect for the English than I. But now when I witness
foreign assassins paid by the English to drench their hands in our blood; when I tread
over the dead bodies of my countrymen, neighbours, and friends; when I see a mother,
clasping her infants to her bosom, and on her knees pleading for their lives from
Englishmen who are guilty of betrayal and murder, I no longer have respect. 5
Now I observe my country, once a place of industry, peace, and plenty, changed by the
English to blood and misery. Heaven forgive me if I am against giving in to the English
who have acted so inhumanely and inflicted so much distress.
Take courage; we are three million people united in one cause. We have large armies,
and well-appointed commanders superior in their military skill and zeal. We have 10
arsenals and stores beyond our optimistic expectations and foreign nations waiting to
support us in our revolution and crown our success.
0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context,
assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying the causes of the
American Revolution.
[30 marks]
Turn over for Section B
IB/G/Jun25/7042/2G Turn over ►
Question Paper & Mark Scheme (Merged) Friday 6 June 2025 [VERIFIED]
IB/G/Jun25/G4005/E3 7042/2G
, 2
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Source A
From an article by Benjamin Franklin, an official representative for several colonies based in
London, printed in London newspapers, September 1773 and in the Pennsylvania Gazette,
December 1773.
British gentlemen, you should be wary of your North American colonies. You govern them by
severe laws and prevent colonists from enjoying the same rights as Englishmen, or the same
privileges in commerce. Nor do you allow them any share in the choice of the lawmakers.
However peaceably your colonies have submitted to your government, shown their 5
affection to your interests, and patiently borne their complaints, you deny them the rights and
privileges of British subjects. You quarter troops among them, who by their insolence provoke
the rising of mobs, and by their bullets suppress them.
By this means, you may in time threaten the colonists’ loyalty to Britain. As the colonies increase in
population, commerce and manufacturing, they believe this entitles them to 10
the same rights and favour as Englishmen. You should be mindful that if you continue to punish
them for their principles of liberty, they will establish a revolution and seek to break free from
British rule.
Source B
From an extract from ‘Common Sense’ by Thomas Paine, January 1776. Common Sense
sold over 120 000 copies between January and July 1776.
Only independence can keep the peace of this continent and preserve it from civil wars. There is
ten times more to dread from a patched-up reconciliation with Britain, than from independence.
Those that oppose independence will allow the eternal tyranny of the British government. If
there is any reason to fear independence, it is because men do
not see the way out. A government of our own is our natural right, and if we reflect on 5
the precariousness of our affairs, we will become convinced that it is much wiser when we have
it in our power to form our own constitution.
Our great strength lies in unity. If the colonies united, we would have the largest body of armed
men of any power. The present time is right for us to fight for independence
because the smaller our population, the more land available, which instead of being 10
lavished by the King on his worthless dependants we could use to pay off any debts we suffer for
gaining our independence.
IB/G/Jun25/7042/2G
, 3
Source C
From a speech to the State House in Philadelphia by Samuel Adams, 1 August 1776.
No man used to have greater respect for the English than I. But now when I witness
foreign assassins paid by the English to drench their hands in our blood; when I tread
over the dead bodies of my countrymen, neighbours, and friends; when I see a mother,
clasping her infants to her bosom, and on her knees pleading for their lives from
Englishmen who are guilty of betrayal and murder, I no longer have respect. 5
Now I observe my country, once a place of industry, peace, and plenty, changed by the
English to blood and misery. Heaven forgive me if I am against giving in to the English
who have acted so inhumanely and inflicted so much distress.
Take courage; we are three million people united in one cause. We have large armies,
and well-appointed commanders superior in their military skill and zeal. We have 10
arsenals and stores beyond our optimistic expectations and foreign nations waiting to
support us in our revolution and crown our success.
0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context,
assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying the causes of the
American Revolution.
[30 marks]
Turn over for Section B
IB/G/Jun25/7042/2G Turn over ►
