2025 AQA AS HISTORY 7041/2R The Cold War, c1945–1991
Component 2R To the brink of Nuclear War: international relations, c1945–1963
Question paper and Marking scheme Merged
AS
HISTORY
The Cold War, c1945–1991
Component 2R To the brink of Nuclear War: international relations,
c1945–1963
Monday 19 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
7041/2R.
• 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.
Source A
From a published statement on China by Dean Acheson, US Secretary of State,
5 August 1949.
Our traditional policy of friendship with China will be profoundly affected by current
developments. It will inevitably be influenced by the extent to which the Chinese people
come to recognise that the new Communist regime serves not their interests but those of
Soviet Russia. One point, however, is clear. Should the Communist regime lend itself to
the aims of Soviet Russian imperialism and engage in aggression against China’s 5
neighbours, this would violate the principles of the United Nations Charter. This would
threaten international peace and security. America’s policy will continue to be based upon
our own respect for the Charter, our friendship with China, our trade with China and
China’s independence and territorial integrity.
Source B
From an interview given to the official Chinese News Agency by Zhou Enlai, Premier and
Foreign Secretary of Communist China, 18 March 1950.
Source B cannot be reproduced here due to third-party copyright restrictions
Source B argues that the USA’s involvement in the civil war has resulted in millions
of deaths and loss of freedom for the Chinese people.
0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, which
of these two sources is more valuable in explaining relations between the USA and
China in the years 1949 to 1950?
[25 marks]
IB/M/Jun25/7041/2R
Component 2R To the brink of Nuclear War: international relations, c1945–1963
Question paper and Marking scheme Merged
AS
HISTORY
The Cold War, c1945–1991
Component 2R To the brink of Nuclear War: international relations,
c1945–1963
Monday 19 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
7041/2R.
• 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.
Source A
From a published statement on China by Dean Acheson, US Secretary of State,
5 August 1949.
Our traditional policy of friendship with China will be profoundly affected by current
developments. It will inevitably be influenced by the extent to which the Chinese people
come to recognise that the new Communist regime serves not their interests but those of
Soviet Russia. One point, however, is clear. Should the Communist regime lend itself to
the aims of Soviet Russian imperialism and engage in aggression against China’s 5
neighbours, this would violate the principles of the United Nations Charter. This would
threaten international peace and security. America’s policy will continue to be based upon
our own respect for the Charter, our friendship with China, our trade with China and
China’s independence and territorial integrity.
Source B
From an interview given to the official Chinese News Agency by Zhou Enlai, Premier and
Foreign Secretary of Communist China, 18 March 1950.
Source B cannot be reproduced here due to third-party copyright restrictions
Source B argues that the USA’s involvement in the civil war has resulted in millions
of deaths and loss of freedom for the Chinese people.
0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, which
of these two sources is more valuable in explaining relations between the USA and
China in the years 1949 to 1950?
[25 marks]
IB/M/Jun25/7041/2R
