A-level
HISTORY
Component 2G The Birth of the USA, 1760–1801
Friday 7 June 2024 Afternoon Time allowed: 2 hours 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
7042/2G.
• Answer three questions.
In Section A answer Question 01.
In Section B answer two questions.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
• 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:
– 1 hour on Question 01 from Section A
– 45 minutes on each of the two questions answered from Section B.
IB/M/Jun24/G4006/E5 7042/2G
, 2
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Source A
From the report of a meeting of slave owners, 8 November 1785. This meeting was held
to organise opposition to an act to abolish slavery in Virginia.
When the British Parliament took away our rights and property without our consent, we
broke away, and established our own government, so our property might be secure in
the future. We risked our lives and fortunes and because of God’s favor we succeeded
and gained our independence, our rights, and our property. But despite this, there is a
daring attempt by an act of law to take a very important part of our property, our slaves. 5
This proposed new law is unsupported by Scripture, for in the Old Testament, God
permitted slavery. Also, it is unwise for it would cause poverty, distress, and ruin to the
freed slaves; neglect, famine, and death to the young and old; bankruptcy and loss of
credit with foreign nations; and cause a crime wave from a vast mass of unprincipled,
propertyless, and revengeful outlaws. It would ruin our flourishing, free, and happy 10
country.
We solemnly insist and humbly pray for the rejection of any measures to stop slavery.
Source B
From a pamphlet to the people of New York by the Federalist, John Jay,
17 September 1787. This was written during the debate over the new Federal
Constitution.
Friends and Fellow-Citizens: it is a pity we used more care and wisdom when forming our
state governments than in forming the Federal Articles of Confederation. Prior to the
revolution, we did not understand how important national interests were to the
advancement and protection of our country. This narrow mindset has resulted in
disagreement and bitterness between the states over the issue of slavery representation, 5
and if such disharmony continues, it will poison, and destroy America.
Ending slavery would be unwise, and the emancipation of all slaves would be improper.
Instead, gradual freedom might be granted to the more industrious of the slaves, as the
Spaniards and French have done. The man who has worked himself free knows how to
make use of his freedom and becomes a valuable member of society. We must leave it 10
to the wisdom of Congress to do what they consider is right to resolve the disagreements
about slavery which are an obstacle to the future of America.
IB/M/Jun24/7042/2G
, 3
Source C
From a speech to Congress by Alexander Hamilton, 20 June 1788. The speech
responds to a debate over the economy and voting representation between the Northern
and Southern States.
The Southern States’ plantation crops of tobacco, cotton, and rice will help us secure
important commercial treaties with foreign nations which will benefit the whole Union.
However, the differences between the Northern and Southern States over the issue of
slavery have produced a delicate and difficult conflict. It is an unfortunate situation for
the Southern States to have a great part of their commercial property, and population, as 5
slaves. By no means should we only consider slaves as property. They are men, though
degraded to the condition of slavery.
There are many people, in both Northern and Southern States, who are unrepresented.
But representation and taxation go together. The three-fifths clause is a compromise to
reconcile the clash of interests between the North and South. Slaves are included in the 10
assessment of taxes and the distribution of representatives in Congress. Thus, the
advantages of the three-fifths clause benefit not just the Southern States but all the
States in the Union.
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 issue of slavery in
the 1780s.
[30 marks]
Turn over for Section B
IB/M/Jun24/7042/2G Turn over ►
HISTORY
Component 2G The Birth of the USA, 1760–1801
Friday 7 June 2024 Afternoon Time allowed: 2 hours 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
7042/2G.
• Answer three questions.
In Section A answer Question 01.
In Section B answer two questions.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
• 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:
– 1 hour on Question 01 from Section A
– 45 minutes on each of the two questions answered from Section B.
IB/M/Jun24/G4006/E5 7042/2G
, 2
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Source A
From the report of a meeting of slave owners, 8 November 1785. This meeting was held
to organise opposition to an act to abolish slavery in Virginia.
When the British Parliament took away our rights and property without our consent, we
broke away, and established our own government, so our property might be secure in
the future. We risked our lives and fortunes and because of God’s favor we succeeded
and gained our independence, our rights, and our property. But despite this, there is a
daring attempt by an act of law to take a very important part of our property, our slaves. 5
This proposed new law is unsupported by Scripture, for in the Old Testament, God
permitted slavery. Also, it is unwise for it would cause poverty, distress, and ruin to the
freed slaves; neglect, famine, and death to the young and old; bankruptcy and loss of
credit with foreign nations; and cause a crime wave from a vast mass of unprincipled,
propertyless, and revengeful outlaws. It would ruin our flourishing, free, and happy 10
country.
We solemnly insist and humbly pray for the rejection of any measures to stop slavery.
Source B
From a pamphlet to the people of New York by the Federalist, John Jay,
17 September 1787. This was written during the debate over the new Federal
Constitution.
Friends and Fellow-Citizens: it is a pity we used more care and wisdom when forming our
state governments than in forming the Federal Articles of Confederation. Prior to the
revolution, we did not understand how important national interests were to the
advancement and protection of our country. This narrow mindset has resulted in
disagreement and bitterness between the states over the issue of slavery representation, 5
and if such disharmony continues, it will poison, and destroy America.
Ending slavery would be unwise, and the emancipation of all slaves would be improper.
Instead, gradual freedom might be granted to the more industrious of the slaves, as the
Spaniards and French have done. The man who has worked himself free knows how to
make use of his freedom and becomes a valuable member of society. We must leave it 10
to the wisdom of Congress to do what they consider is right to resolve the disagreements
about slavery which are an obstacle to the future of America.
IB/M/Jun24/7042/2G
, 3
Source C
From a speech to Congress by Alexander Hamilton, 20 June 1788. The speech
responds to a debate over the economy and voting representation between the Northern
and Southern States.
The Southern States’ plantation crops of tobacco, cotton, and rice will help us secure
important commercial treaties with foreign nations which will benefit the whole Union.
However, the differences between the Northern and Southern States over the issue of
slavery have produced a delicate and difficult conflict. It is an unfortunate situation for
the Southern States to have a great part of their commercial property, and population, as 5
slaves. By no means should we only consider slaves as property. They are men, though
degraded to the condition of slavery.
There are many people, in both Northern and Southern States, who are unrepresented.
But representation and taxation go together. The three-fifths clause is a compromise to
reconcile the clash of interests between the North and South. Slaves are included in the 10
assessment of taxes and the distribution of representatives in Congress. Thus, the
advantages of the three-fifths clause benefit not just the Southern States but all the
States in the Union.
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 issue of slavery in
the 1780s.
[30 marks]
Turn over for Section B
IB/M/Jun24/7042/2G Turn over ►
