2025 AQA AS HISTORY 7041/1J The British Empire, c1857–1967
Component 1J The High Water Mark of the British Empire, c1857–1914
Question paper and Marking scheme Merged
AS
HISTORY
The British Empire, c1857–1967
Component 1J The High Water Mark of the British Empire, c1857–1914
Wednesday 14 May 2025 Afternoon Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
• an AQA 16-page answer book.
Instructions
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is
7041/1J.
• Answer two questions.
In Section A answer Question 01.
In Section B answer either Question 02 or Question 03.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 50.
• You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
Advice
• You are advised to spend about:
– 50 minutes on Section A
– 40 minutes on Section B.
, 2
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Extract A
The 1860s witnessed an economic revolution in southern Africa. The discovery of
diamonds in Griqualand attracted investment, immigrants and increased political interest
from Britain. There followed a series of native rebellions and wars in the region and, for a
time, the Boers were grateful to come under British protection. However, once it became
clear that the British were not prepared to give up the Transvaal and their plans for a 5
federation, the Boers rebelled and defeated Britain in 1881. Plans for a federation were
dropped and the Transvaal’s independence restored. However, even after the peace
negotiations, the British government clung to its right to interfere in the Boers’ domestic
and foreign policies for the next decade.
Adapted from L James, The Rise and Fall of the British Empire, 1998
Extract B
Ever since the 1860s, the Transvaal had been hostile towards Britain and this hostility
intensified in the 1870s when the Boers began to develop a fierce and enduring
nationalism. This resulted in them becoming more assertive in the 1880s, and better able
to back this up with real power. They tried all they could to secure an outlet to the sea
which would free them from the British ports to the south. In 1884 their diplomatic isolation 5
ended, when Germany gained a presence in the region, and in 1886 vast deposits of
gold-bearing rock were discovered on the Witwatersrand in the Transvaal. As a result, by
1890 the Boers represented a serious threat to British interests in southern Africa.
Adapted from B Porter, The Lion’s Share. A Short History of British Imperialism,
1850–2004, 2004
0 1 With reference to these extracts and your understanding of the historical context, which
of these two extracts provides the more convincing interpretation of relations between
Britain and the Boers in southern Africa in the years 1867 to 1890?
[25 marks]
IB/G/Jun25/7041/1J
Component 1J The High Water Mark of the British Empire, c1857–1914
Question paper and Marking scheme Merged
AS
HISTORY
The British Empire, c1857–1967
Component 1J The High Water Mark of the British Empire, c1857–1914
Wednesday 14 May 2025 Afternoon Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
• an AQA 16-page answer book.
Instructions
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is
7041/1J.
• Answer two questions.
In Section A answer Question 01.
In Section B answer either Question 02 or Question 03.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 50.
• You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
Advice
• You are advised to spend about:
– 50 minutes on Section A
– 40 minutes on Section B.
, 2
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Extract A
The 1860s witnessed an economic revolution in southern Africa. The discovery of
diamonds in Griqualand attracted investment, immigrants and increased political interest
from Britain. There followed a series of native rebellions and wars in the region and, for a
time, the Boers were grateful to come under British protection. However, once it became
clear that the British were not prepared to give up the Transvaal and their plans for a 5
federation, the Boers rebelled and defeated Britain in 1881. Plans for a federation were
dropped and the Transvaal’s independence restored. However, even after the peace
negotiations, the British government clung to its right to interfere in the Boers’ domestic
and foreign policies for the next decade.
Adapted from L James, The Rise and Fall of the British Empire, 1998
Extract B
Ever since the 1860s, the Transvaal had been hostile towards Britain and this hostility
intensified in the 1870s when the Boers began to develop a fierce and enduring
nationalism. This resulted in them becoming more assertive in the 1880s, and better able
to back this up with real power. They tried all they could to secure an outlet to the sea
which would free them from the British ports to the south. In 1884 their diplomatic isolation 5
ended, when Germany gained a presence in the region, and in 1886 vast deposits of
gold-bearing rock were discovered on the Witwatersrand in the Transvaal. As a result, by
1890 the Boers represented a serious threat to British interests in southern Africa.
Adapted from B Porter, The Lion’s Share. A Short History of British Imperialism,
1850–2004, 2004
0 1 With reference to these extracts and your understanding of the historical context, which
of these two extracts provides the more convincing interpretation of relations between
Britain and the Boers in southern Africa in the years 1867 to 1890?
[25 marks]
IB/G/Jun25/7041/1J
