AQA_2024: AS History - The Cold War, c1945–1991 Component 2R: To the Brink of Nuclear War: International Relations, c1945–1963 (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)

AQA_2024: AS History - The Cold War, c1945–1991 Component 2R: To the Brink of Nuclear War: International Relations, c1945–1963 (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme) AS HISTORY The Cold War, c1945–1991 Component 2R To the brink of Nuclear War: international relations, c1945–1963 Monday 20 May 2024 Materials For this paper you must have:  an AQA 16-page answer book. Instructions Afternoon  Use black ink or black ball-point pen. Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes  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. For AS History: The Cold War, c1945–1991, Component 2R: To the Brink of Nuclear War: International Relations, c1945–1963, focus on the following key areas: 1. Post-WWII Context and Emergence of the Cold War:  Division of Europe: Understand the division of Europe into the Soviet-controlled Eastern Bloc and the Western democratic countries under U.S. influence. Focus on the differences between the capitalist and communist ideologies.  Yalta and Potsdam Conferences: Review key decisions made at the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences (1945), and how disagreements over post-war Europe led to tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.  Early Conflicts: Study early Cold War tensions such as the Berlin Crisis () and the creation of NATO (1949). 2. Key Events Leading to the Brink of Nuclear War:  The Berlin Blockade (): Focus on the Soviet blockade of West Berlin, the U.S. airlift, and how this event intensified the Cold War.  The Korean War (): Understand the role of the U.S. and the Soviet Union in the Korean War, its impact on global tensions, and the establishment of a divided Korea.  The Arms Race and Nuclear Threat: Study the development of nuclear weapons, the U.S. and Soviet nuclear arsenals, and the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) during the early years of the Cold War. 3. Key Leaders and Their Policies:  Stalin's Leadership (): Focus on Stalin's role in escalating Cold War tensions, especially with the establishment of satellite states in Eastern Europe.  Post-Stalin Leadership: Understand how Khrushchev’s leadership (after 1953) contributed to Cold War dynamics, including his “secret speech” (1956) denouncing Stalin and his approach to diplomacy and confrontation.  U.S. Presidents: Study U.S. Presidents Truman and Eisenhower, their containment strategies, and responses to Soviet actions, especially in Korea and Europe. 4. Significant Crises:  The Hungarian Uprising (1956): Study the Hungarian revolt against Soviet control, the Soviet intervention, and the international reaction.  The Suez Crisis (1956): Understand the role of the U.S., USSR, and Britain in the Suez Crisis, and how it highlighted tensions between superpowers and their influence in the Middle East. 5. Cuban Revolution and the Cuban Missile Crisis:  The Cuban Revolution (1959): Focus on Fidel Castro’s rise to power and the Cold War implications of Cuba becoming a communist state. 7. Key Themes:  Superpower Tensions: Focus on how the ideological, political, and military rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union shaped international relations.  Nuclear Diplomacy: Understand how the development of nuclear weapons influenced diplomacy and strategies, including the concept of deterrence and the arms race. 7041/2R IB/M/Jun24/G4002/E2 2 Section A Answer Question 01. Source A From an official note sent to the American Ambassador in Moscow by the Soviet Foreign Ministry, 27 November 1958. This was shortly after Khrushchev’s Berlin Ultimatum. The policies of the Western Powers in West Germany have violated the Potsdam Agreement, designed to ensure the unity of Germany as a peace-loving and democratic state. In West Germany, there is a government which does not conceal its hatred for the Soviet Union, whereas in East Germany there is a government which has completely broken with Germany’s aggressive past. There is only one conclusion to be drawn from this: the Potsdam Agreement has been grossly violated by the Western Powers. They are abusing their position in West Berlin, using it as a centre from which to pursue subversive activity against the Soviet Union and we cannot tolerate such a situation any longer. 5 Source B From a radio and television broadcast to the American people by President Kennedy, 25 July 1961. Seven weeks ago tonight I returned from Vienna after my meeting with Khrushchev. He made grim warnings about the future of Berlin and announced an increase in the Soviet military budget. He intends to end our legal rights to be in West Berlin and our ability to protect the two million free people of that city. That we cannot permit. Our presence in West Berlin cannot be ended by the Soviets and we gave our word that an attack upon that city would be regarded as an attack upon us all in NATO. Today, the endangered frontier of freedom runs through divided Berlin. We want it to remain a frontier of peace – we seek peace, but we shall not surrender. 5 0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, which of these two sources is more valuable in explaining why there were tensions between the Soviet Union and the USA over Berlin in the years 1958 to 1961? [25 marks] IB/M/Jun24/7041/2R 3 Section B Answer either Question 02 or Question 03. Either 0 2 ‘The breakdown of relations between the Soviet Union and the West by 1947 was mainly the result of ideological differences.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. [25 marks] or 0 3 ‘In the years 1949 to 1955, US policies in Asia were very successful.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. [25 marks] END OF QUESTIONS IB/M/Jun24/7041/2R 4