GCSE (9–1) HISTORY A — May 2025 PAST PAPER: International Relations & The USA
Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J410/07]
Exam Resource Summary
The May 2025 GCSE (9–1) History A International Relations: The Changing International Order 1918–
1975 with The USA 1945–1974 – The People and the State Paper (OCR J410/07) provides a fully merged
resource combining the complete examination paper with its official mark scheme. This format allows
learners to understand precisely how each question is assessed, clarifying examiner expectations and
highlighting the criteria for high-band responses. This component examines global political developments
from 1918–1975 alongside the social, political, and economic history of the USA between 1945 and 1974.
Candidates are expected to analyse the causes, events, and consequences of international relations, interpret
historical sources, evaluate differing perspectives, and construct coherent, evidence-based arguments. By
presenting each question alongside detailed marking guidance, the resource strengthens analytical, evaluative,
and historical reasoning skills. It guides learners in structuring high-quality answers, supports targeted
revision, and prepares students thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE History A (Explaining the Modern
World) examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
International Relations: the changing international order 1918–1975
You should spend about 1 hour on this section.
1 Outline how the terms of the Treaty of Versailles were intended to ensure future peace. [5]
2 Explain why Cuba became a focus of tension between the USSR and the USA in the 1960s. [10]
3 Study Interpretation A.
Do you think this interpretation is a fair comment on Neville Chamberlain and his policies in the
period 1937–1939?
Use other interpretations of the events of 1937–1939 and your knowledge to support your
answer. [25]
Interpretation A
From ‘Munich – Its Lessons Ten Years Later’, an essay written by British historian
Hugh Trevor‑ Roper, published in 1948.
© Francis L. Loewenheim, Peace or appeasement? Hitler, Chamberlain, and the Munich crisis, page 150, Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1965. Fr om first line "There was plenty of evidence that Hitler was following a policy of aggression," to last line "and Chamberlain believed him." Item rem
© OCR 2025 J410/07 Jun25
, 3
4 Study Interpretation B.
Explain why not all historians and commentators have agreed with this interpretation.
Use other interpretations and your knowledge to support your answer. [20]
() Spelling, punctuation and grammar and the use of specialist terminology [5]
Interpretation B
From ‘The Origins of the Cold War’, an essay written by US historian Arthur Schlesinger,
published in 1970.
© Lloyd Calvin Gardner, The origins of the Cold War, page 68-77, pages 111-117, 1970, Ginn & Co. From first line "Neither side made a decision to start the Cold War." to last line "a tendency to think the worst of the other side’s actions." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictio
Turn over for Section B
© OCR 2025 J410/07 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
Section B
The USA 1945–1974: The People and the State
You should spend about 45 minutes on this section.
5 Describe one difficulty faced by African Americans in the USA between 1945 and 1954. [2]
6 Explain how the US government attempted to prevent the spread of communism within the USA
between 1945 and 1954. [10]
7
(a) Study Source A.
Explain how this source is useful to a historian studying the USA between 1954 and 1964. [5]
Source A
Part of a television broadcast made by President Eisenhower on 24 September 1957.
Eisenhower is speaking about an incident at Little Rock in Arkansas where local officials were
preventing African American students from attending a school. Eisenhower responded by
sending federal troops to protect the students and make sure they could join the school.
© eisenhowerlibrary.gov, Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home. From first line "Our system of government is based on human rights." to last line "They are claiming that we are breaking standards which most peoples of the world agree with." Item removed due
© OCR 2025 J410/07 Jun25
Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J410/07]
Exam Resource Summary
The May 2025 GCSE (9–1) History A International Relations: The Changing International Order 1918–
1975 with The USA 1945–1974 – The People and the State Paper (OCR J410/07) provides a fully merged
resource combining the complete examination paper with its official mark scheme. This format allows
learners to understand precisely how each question is assessed, clarifying examiner expectations and
highlighting the criteria for high-band responses. This component examines global political developments
from 1918–1975 alongside the social, political, and economic history of the USA between 1945 and 1974.
Candidates are expected to analyse the causes, events, and consequences of international relations, interpret
historical sources, evaluate differing perspectives, and construct coherent, evidence-based arguments. By
presenting each question alongside detailed marking guidance, the resource strengthens analytical, evaluative,
and historical reasoning skills. It guides learners in structuring high-quality answers, supports targeted
revision, and prepares students thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE History A (Explaining the Modern
World) examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
International Relations: the changing international order 1918–1975
You should spend about 1 hour on this section.
1 Outline how the terms of the Treaty of Versailles were intended to ensure future peace. [5]
2 Explain why Cuba became a focus of tension between the USSR and the USA in the 1960s. [10]
3 Study Interpretation A.
Do you think this interpretation is a fair comment on Neville Chamberlain and his policies in the
period 1937–1939?
Use other interpretations of the events of 1937–1939 and your knowledge to support your
answer. [25]
Interpretation A
From ‘Munich – Its Lessons Ten Years Later’, an essay written by British historian
Hugh Trevor‑ Roper, published in 1948.
© Francis L. Loewenheim, Peace or appeasement? Hitler, Chamberlain, and the Munich crisis, page 150, Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1965. Fr om first line "There was plenty of evidence that Hitler was following a policy of aggression," to last line "and Chamberlain believed him." Item rem
© OCR 2025 J410/07 Jun25
, 3
4 Study Interpretation B.
Explain why not all historians and commentators have agreed with this interpretation.
Use other interpretations and your knowledge to support your answer. [20]
() Spelling, punctuation and grammar and the use of specialist terminology [5]
Interpretation B
From ‘The Origins of the Cold War’, an essay written by US historian Arthur Schlesinger,
published in 1970.
© Lloyd Calvin Gardner, The origins of the Cold War, page 68-77, pages 111-117, 1970, Ginn & Co. From first line "Neither side made a decision to start the Cold War." to last line "a tendency to think the worst of the other side’s actions." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictio
Turn over for Section B
© OCR 2025 J410/07 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
Section B
The USA 1945–1974: The People and the State
You should spend about 45 minutes on this section.
5 Describe one difficulty faced by African Americans in the USA between 1945 and 1954. [2]
6 Explain how the US government attempted to prevent the spread of communism within the USA
between 1945 and 1954. [10]
7
(a) Study Source A.
Explain how this source is useful to a historian studying the USA between 1954 and 1964. [5]
Source A
Part of a television broadcast made by President Eisenhower on 24 September 1957.
Eisenhower is speaking about an incident at Little Rock in Arkansas where local officials were
preventing African American students from attending a school. Eisenhower responded by
sending federal troops to protect the students and make sure they could join the school.
© eisenhowerlibrary.gov, Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home. From first line "Our system of government is based on human rights." to last line "They are claiming that we are breaking standards which most peoples of the world agree with." Item removed due
© OCR 2025 J410/07 Jun25
