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AQA_2024: A-level History - Component 2Q
The American Dream: Reality and Illusion, 1945–1980
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
A-level
HISTORY
Component 2Q The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945–1980
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
7042/2Q.
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/Jun24/7042/2Q
, 3
Key areas:
1. Post-War Economic Boom (1945–1960):
Economic prosperity: After WWII, the U.S. experienced significant growth, increased
consumerism, and the rise of the middle class.
Suburbanization: Growth of suburbs, particularly influenced by Levittown and the expansion of the
automobile industry.
The GI Bill: Helped veterans get housing, education, and healthcare, contributing to economic
mobility for many Americans.
2. The Civil Rights Movement (1950s–1960s):
Challenges to the American Dream: The struggle for racial equality, highlighted by figures like
Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and events like the March on Washington (1963).
Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965): Major legislative achievements aimed at
ending racial segregation and discrimination.
The continued poverty and inequality for African Americans, particularly in the urban ghettos.
3. The 1960s – Social and Cultural Change:
Counterculture movement: The rise of hippies, anti-Vietnam War protests, and a challenge to
traditional American values.
The Feminist Movement: Key figures like Betty Friedan and the National Organization for
Women (NOW) pushed for gender equality, reproductive rights, and workplace reforms.
Youth culture: The growth of rock ‘n’ roll, the rise of the Beat Generation, and changing attitudes
towards sex and drugs.
4. Vietnam War (1955–1975):
Disillusionment with the American Dream: The war exposed contradictions in U.S. ideals, with
protests, the Tet Offensive (1968), and the My Lai Massacre showing the brutality of the conflict.
The war undermined trust in government, particularly following the Pentagon Papers (1971) and
Nixon’s handling of the war.
5. Economic Challenges (1970s):
Stagflation: A period of high inflation, unemployment, and economic stagnation, undermining the
post-WWII economic boom.
Oil Crisis (1973): The OPEC oil embargo led to fuel shortages and rising costs, adding to economic
hardship.
Decline of manufacturing: The shift towards service-based industries and the loss of American
jobs to overseas markets.
6. The Watergate Scandal and Loss of Trust (1972–1974):
The Watergate scandal exposed corruption at the highest levels of government, leading to
President Nixon’s resignation in 1974.
The scandal further contributed to disillusionment with American institutions and the discrediting of
the political elite.
IB/M/Jun24/7042/2Q Turn over ►
, 4
IB/M/Jun24/G4006/E3 7042/2Q
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Source A
From ‘The Southern Manifesto’, written to condemn the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown
decision, by Southern senators, March 1956. 99 signatories were Democrats and two
were Republicans.
The Supreme Court has replaced the established law of the land with their own political
and social ideas. This unforgivable exercise of power by the Court, contrary to the
Constitution, is creating chaos and confusion in some States. With no regard for the
consent of the governed, immediate and revolutionary changes are threatening how our
public schools are organised. We believe in the Constitution as the fundamental law of 5
the land. We strongly oppose the Supreme Court’s encroachment on the rights reserved
to the States. We commend the motives of those States which have declared their
intention to resist forced racial integration. Even though we constitute a minority in the
present Congress, we have full faith that a majority of the American people share our
beliefs. We pledge ourselves to use all lawful means to bring about a reversal of this 10
decision, which is contrary to the Constitution, and to prevent the use of force in its
implementation.
Source B
From comments by Ruby Sales, recorded by the Southern Oral History Program, 2011.
Sales, a member of the SNCC, had taken part in the 1965 march from Selma to
Montgomery.
When we look at Rosa Parks, people often think that she behaved as she did because of
her civil rights and because she wanted to sit down on the bus. But she was also part of
a rebellion of maids, a rebellion of working-class women. These women were tired of
boarding buses in Montgomery, a public service, and being assaulted and called names
and abused by white bus drivers. And that’s why Rosa’s protest movement continued so 5
long. If it had just been a protest about riding on the bus, it might have shattered. But it
went to the very heart of black womanhood, and black women played a major role in
sustaining that movement. That’s why I think it’s really important to see the larger
context. I don’t think this movement would have lasted as long as it did without the
preaching, without the community connections, and without the strong desire of black 10
women to be seen as first-class human beings.
IB/M/Jun24/7042/2Q
AQA_2024: A-level History - Component 2Q
The American Dream: Reality and Illusion, 1945–1980
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
A-level
HISTORY
Component 2Q The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945–1980
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
7042/2Q.
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/Jun24/7042/2Q
, 3
Key areas:
1. Post-War Economic Boom (1945–1960):
Economic prosperity: After WWII, the U.S. experienced significant growth, increased
consumerism, and the rise of the middle class.
Suburbanization: Growth of suburbs, particularly influenced by Levittown and the expansion of the
automobile industry.
The GI Bill: Helped veterans get housing, education, and healthcare, contributing to economic
mobility for many Americans.
2. The Civil Rights Movement (1950s–1960s):
Challenges to the American Dream: The struggle for racial equality, highlighted by figures like
Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and events like the March on Washington (1963).
Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965): Major legislative achievements aimed at
ending racial segregation and discrimination.
The continued poverty and inequality for African Americans, particularly in the urban ghettos.
3. The 1960s – Social and Cultural Change:
Counterculture movement: The rise of hippies, anti-Vietnam War protests, and a challenge to
traditional American values.
The Feminist Movement: Key figures like Betty Friedan and the National Organization for
Women (NOW) pushed for gender equality, reproductive rights, and workplace reforms.
Youth culture: The growth of rock ‘n’ roll, the rise of the Beat Generation, and changing attitudes
towards sex and drugs.
4. Vietnam War (1955–1975):
Disillusionment with the American Dream: The war exposed contradictions in U.S. ideals, with
protests, the Tet Offensive (1968), and the My Lai Massacre showing the brutality of the conflict.
The war undermined trust in government, particularly following the Pentagon Papers (1971) and
Nixon’s handling of the war.
5. Economic Challenges (1970s):
Stagflation: A period of high inflation, unemployment, and economic stagnation, undermining the
post-WWII economic boom.
Oil Crisis (1973): The OPEC oil embargo led to fuel shortages and rising costs, adding to economic
hardship.
Decline of manufacturing: The shift towards service-based industries and the loss of American
jobs to overseas markets.
6. The Watergate Scandal and Loss of Trust (1972–1974):
The Watergate scandal exposed corruption at the highest levels of government, leading to
President Nixon’s resignation in 1974.
The scandal further contributed to disillusionment with American institutions and the discrediting of
the political elite.
IB/M/Jun24/7042/2Q Turn over ►
, 4
IB/M/Jun24/G4006/E3 7042/2Q
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Source A
From ‘The Southern Manifesto’, written to condemn the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown
decision, by Southern senators, March 1956. 99 signatories were Democrats and two
were Republicans.
The Supreme Court has replaced the established law of the land with their own political
and social ideas. This unforgivable exercise of power by the Court, contrary to the
Constitution, is creating chaos and confusion in some States. With no regard for the
consent of the governed, immediate and revolutionary changes are threatening how our
public schools are organised. We believe in the Constitution as the fundamental law of 5
the land. We strongly oppose the Supreme Court’s encroachment on the rights reserved
to the States. We commend the motives of those States which have declared their
intention to resist forced racial integration. Even though we constitute a minority in the
present Congress, we have full faith that a majority of the American people share our
beliefs. We pledge ourselves to use all lawful means to bring about a reversal of this 10
decision, which is contrary to the Constitution, and to prevent the use of force in its
implementation.
Source B
From comments by Ruby Sales, recorded by the Southern Oral History Program, 2011.
Sales, a member of the SNCC, had taken part in the 1965 march from Selma to
Montgomery.
When we look at Rosa Parks, people often think that she behaved as she did because of
her civil rights and because she wanted to sit down on the bus. But she was also part of
a rebellion of maids, a rebellion of working-class women. These women were tired of
boarding buses in Montgomery, a public service, and being assaulted and called names
and abused by white bus drivers. And that’s why Rosa’s protest movement continued so 5
long. If it had just been a protest about riding on the bus, it might have shattered. But it
went to the very heart of black womanhood, and black women played a major role in
sustaining that movement. That’s why I think it’s really important to see the larger
context. I don’t think this movement would have lasted as long as it did without the
preaching, without the community connections, and without the strong desire of black 10
women to be seen as first-class human beings.
IB/M/Jun24/7042/2Q
