OCR A Level History A Y112/01 Britain 1900–1951 Combined Question
Paper and Mark Scheme
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
A Level History A
Y112/01 Britain 1900–1951
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 Question 1 in Section A. Answer either Question 2 or 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.
, 2
Section A
England and a New Century c.1900–1918
Study the four sources and answer Question 1.
1 ‘Working people were prepared to sacrifice their rights and liberties to support the national war
effort.’
Use the four sources in their historical context to assess how far they support this view. [30]
Source A: A female factory worker speaks of her experience in a factory a few days after she
gave up working there.
Over and over again, the foreman gave me wrong directions which gave me hours more work. I had
no tools that I needed and it was out of the question to borrow anything from the men. Two shop
stewards informed me on the first day that they had no objection to my working there, provided I
received the full men’s rate of pay. None of the men would give me any help. The other night, my
drawer was nailed up by them and oil was poured over everything in it through a crack. I felt I had not
sufficient skill to hold my own against an antagonistic foreman and I decided to give up.
Dorothy Poole, recorded remarks, 1915
Source B: A miners’ leader explains his opposition to agreements made by trade unions with
the government.
The nationalistic cry of patriotism is failing in its power to distract the mind and consciousness of the
worker. The chains of slavery are being welded tighter upon us. The ruling classes are over‑reaching
themselves in their hurry to enslave us. Comrades, I appeal to you to rouse your union to protect the
liberties of its members. An industrial truce was entered into by our leaders behind our backs. Away
with the industrial truce! We must not stand by and allow the workers to be exploited and our liberties
taken away.
A. J. Cook, speech, April 1916
Source C: A member of the Land Army writes about working on a farm near Nantwich,
Cheshire.
We do have fun though the most part is really heavy, dirty work. I was knocked over by a calf this
morning. My farmer is also the village blacksmith and I am learning to shoe a horse and blow the
bellows. Some people tell me that I shall not be able to go on with my farm work in the winter because
it will make my hands so bad. But I intend to stick to it. Our men don’t stop fighting in the cold weather
and neither shall I. My only brother is in the trenches so you know how I feel!
Dorothy Chalmers, journal, summer 1917
© OCR 2025 Y112/01 Jun25
Paper and Mark Scheme
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
A Level History A
Y112/01 Britain 1900–1951
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 Question 1 in Section A. Answer either Question 2 or 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.
, 2
Section A
England and a New Century c.1900–1918
Study the four sources and answer Question 1.
1 ‘Working people were prepared to sacrifice their rights and liberties to support the national war
effort.’
Use the four sources in their historical context to assess how far they support this view. [30]
Source A: A female factory worker speaks of her experience in a factory a few days after she
gave up working there.
Over and over again, the foreman gave me wrong directions which gave me hours more work. I had
no tools that I needed and it was out of the question to borrow anything from the men. Two shop
stewards informed me on the first day that they had no objection to my working there, provided I
received the full men’s rate of pay. None of the men would give me any help. The other night, my
drawer was nailed up by them and oil was poured over everything in it through a crack. I felt I had not
sufficient skill to hold my own against an antagonistic foreman and I decided to give up.
Dorothy Poole, recorded remarks, 1915
Source B: A miners’ leader explains his opposition to agreements made by trade unions with
the government.
The nationalistic cry of patriotism is failing in its power to distract the mind and consciousness of the
worker. The chains of slavery are being welded tighter upon us. The ruling classes are over‑reaching
themselves in their hurry to enslave us. Comrades, I appeal to you to rouse your union to protect the
liberties of its members. An industrial truce was entered into by our leaders behind our backs. Away
with the industrial truce! We must not stand by and allow the workers to be exploited and our liberties
taken away.
A. J. Cook, speech, April 1916
Source C: A member of the Land Army writes about working on a farm near Nantwich,
Cheshire.
We do have fun though the most part is really heavy, dirty work. I was knocked over by a calf this
morning. My farmer is also the village blacksmith and I am learning to shoe a horse and blow the
bellows. Some people tell me that I shall not be able to go on with my farm work in the winter because
it will make my hands so bad. But I intend to stick to it. Our men don’t stop fighting in the cold weather
and neither shall I. My only brother is in the trenches so you know how I feel!
Dorothy Chalmers, journal, summer 1917
© OCR 2025 Y112/01 Jun25
