A LEVEL HISTORY A: Actual June 2025 PAST PAPER 1: The USA in the 19th Century:
Westward Expansion and Civil War 1803–c.1890. All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR
Y216/01]
Exam Resource Summary
The A Level History A June 2025 The USA in the 19th Century: Westward Expansion and Civil War
1803–c.1890 Paper (OCR Y216/01) combines the full official examination paper with its detailed mark
scheme to provide a focused and comprehensive revision resource. This paper assesses students’
understanding of political, social, and economic developments in the United States during the 19th
century, including westward expansion, sectional tensions, and the causes and consequences of the Civil
War. Candidates are required to analyse primary and secondary sources, construct well-structured
arguments, and evaluate differing historical interpretations. By presenting each question alongside its
marking criteria, the resource offers guidance on examiner expectations, analytical depth, and the
structured responses needed for higher-band marks. This integrated format supports targeted revision,
strengthens source evaluation and essay-writing skills, and equips students for success in the May/June
2026 OCR A Level History A The USA in the 19th Century: Westward Expansion and Civil War 1803–
c.1890 examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Answer Question 1 or Question 2.
1
(a) Which of the following was the more important reason for the destruction of Native American
societies?
(i) Natural resources
(ii) Americanisation
Explain your answer with reference to both (i) and (ii). [10]
(b)* How far does the ability of Confederate military commanders explain why the Civil War lasted
so long? [20]
2
(a) Which of the following was the more important reason for the defeat of the Confederacy?
(i) The Wilderness Campaign
(ii) Naval blockade
Explain your answer with reference to both (i) and (ii). [10]
(b)* ‘Economic gain for settlers was the most important consequence of Westward expansion.’
How far do you agree? [20]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 Y216/01 Jun25
, 3
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Copyright Information
OCR is committed to seeking permission to reproduce all third-party content that it uses in its assessment materials. OCR has attempted to identify and contact all copyright holders
whose work is used in this paper. To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced in the OCR Copyright
Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download from our public website (www.ocr.org.uk) after the live examination series.
If OCR has unwittingly failed to correctly acknowledge or clear any third-party content in this assessment material, OCR will be happy to correct its mistake at the earliest possible
opportunity.
For queries or further information please contact The OCR Copyright Team, The Triangle Building, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge CB2 8EA.
OCR is part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.
© OCR 2025 Y216/01 Jun25
Westward Expansion and Civil War 1803–c.1890. All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR
Y216/01]
Exam Resource Summary
The A Level History A June 2025 The USA in the 19th Century: Westward Expansion and Civil War
1803–c.1890 Paper (OCR Y216/01) combines the full official examination paper with its detailed mark
scheme to provide a focused and comprehensive revision resource. This paper assesses students’
understanding of political, social, and economic developments in the United States during the 19th
century, including westward expansion, sectional tensions, and the causes and consequences of the Civil
War. Candidates are required to analyse primary and secondary sources, construct well-structured
arguments, and evaluate differing historical interpretations. By presenting each question alongside its
marking criteria, the resource offers guidance on examiner expectations, analytical depth, and the
structured responses needed for higher-band marks. This integrated format supports targeted revision,
strengthens source evaluation and essay-writing skills, and equips students for success in the May/June
2026 OCR A Level History A The USA in the 19th Century: Westward Expansion and Civil War 1803–
c.1890 examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Answer Question 1 or Question 2.
1
(a) Which of the following was the more important reason for the destruction of Native American
societies?
(i) Natural resources
(ii) Americanisation
Explain your answer with reference to both (i) and (ii). [10]
(b)* How far does the ability of Confederate military commanders explain why the Civil War lasted
so long? [20]
2
(a) Which of the following was the more important reason for the defeat of the Confederacy?
(i) The Wilderness Campaign
(ii) Naval blockade
Explain your answer with reference to both (i) and (ii). [10]
(b)* ‘Economic gain for settlers was the most important consequence of Westward expansion.’
How far do you agree? [20]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 Y216/01 Jun25
, 3
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Copyright Information
OCR is committed to seeking permission to reproduce all third-party content that it uses in its assessment materials. OCR has attempted to identify and contact all copyright holders
whose work is used in this paper. To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced in the OCR Copyright
Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download from our public website (www.ocr.org.uk) after the live examination series.
If OCR has unwittingly failed to correctly acknowledge or clear any third-party content in this assessment material, OCR will be happy to correct its mistake at the earliest possible
opportunity.
For queries or further information please contact The OCR Copyright Team, The Triangle Building, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge CB2 8EA.
OCR is part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.
© OCR 2025 Y216/01 Jun25
