2025 AQA A-Level HISTORY 7042/2J
Component 2J America: A Nation Divided, c1845–1877
Question paper and Marking scheme Merged
A-level
HISTORY
Component 2J America: A Nation Divided, c1845–1877
Friday 6 June 2025 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
7042/2J.
• 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.
, 2
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Source A
From an article ‘Annexation’ in a pro-Democratic magazine by John O’Sullivan, July
1845. John O’Sullivan was an influential pro-Democratic writer.
It is time now for opposition to the admission of Texas to cease, so as not to further
agitate the waters of bitterness and strife amongst Americans. Texas is now ours. If we
hadn’t successfully claimed it, we would have limited our potential greatness and failed in
fulfilling our Manifest Destiny to take over the continent allotted by Providence for the
development of our growing population and our way of government. There is no 5
foundation in the accusation that the admission of Texas was a pro-slavery measure.
There are many areas in Texas where slavery cannot exist. There are complaints about
Texas becoming a new slave state, but no complaints about the far more rapid growth of
states in the free West, as these fine regions are overspread with European migrants
settling there. Texas has been absorbed into the Union in order to accommodate our 10
growing population and allow it to expand westwards. There can be no doubt that Texas
was part of our country’s Manifest Destiny.
Source B
From a speech to Congress by President James K Polk, May 11 1846. Congress
declared war on the Republic of Mexico two days later.
The strong desire to establish peace with Mexico on honourable terms, and the
readiness of our government to adjust our western boundaries on fair, just principles,
which would lead to friendly relations, led me last September to seek the reopening of
diplomatic relations between the two countries. Every measure adopted on our part with
the intention of annexing California and New Mexico. Although our diplomatic mission 5
went to Mexico by agreement between the two governments, with the friendliest of
intentions, our mission has failed. The Mexican Government not only refused to receive
our ambassador or listen to his proposals, but after a series of menaces the Mexicans
have invaded our territory and shed the blood of our fellow-citizens on our own soil.
I recommend to Congress the immediate sending of a large and overpowering armed 10
force to Mexico. I also declare that it is my desire not only to end hostilities speedily, but
to bring all matters in dispute between this Government and Mexico to an early and
friendly conclusion.
IB/G/Jun25/7042/2J
, 3
Source C
From a speech to the House of Representatives by Congressman David Wilmot, 8
February 1847. David Wilmot was a Democrat from Pennsylvania.
Mr Speaker. The issue is whether or not slavery shall be allowed to spread to new and
distant regions, where presently the footprint of a slave cannot be found. Sir, I was in
favour of the annexation of Texas. The Democratic Party, almost to a majority, was in
favour of annexing Texas. However, in the case of more Mexican territory, shall further
concessions be made by the North? Shall we give up free territory and the potential 5
spread of free labour? Sir, Northern treasure is being exhausted and Northern blood
poured upon Mexico. We are told that California and New Mexico are won by our
armies. They are free from slavery, but shall they remain free? This is the issue. The
South contend that they have the right to take and hold slaves in this acquired land.
Unless the Proviso I have offered is adopted by the House, the South will do so. Shall 10
the South be permitted to wrestle these provinces from Northern freemen? This is the
issue.
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 disputes over
westward expansion, in the years 1845 to 1848.
[30 marks]
Turn over for Section B
IB/G/Jun25/7042/2J Turn over ►
Component 2J America: A Nation Divided, c1845–1877
Question paper and Marking scheme Merged
A-level
HISTORY
Component 2J America: A Nation Divided, c1845–1877
Friday 6 June 2025 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
7042/2J.
• 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.
, 2
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Source A
From an article ‘Annexation’ in a pro-Democratic magazine by John O’Sullivan, July
1845. John O’Sullivan was an influential pro-Democratic writer.
It is time now for opposition to the admission of Texas to cease, so as not to further
agitate the waters of bitterness and strife amongst Americans. Texas is now ours. If we
hadn’t successfully claimed it, we would have limited our potential greatness and failed in
fulfilling our Manifest Destiny to take over the continent allotted by Providence for the
development of our growing population and our way of government. There is no 5
foundation in the accusation that the admission of Texas was a pro-slavery measure.
There are many areas in Texas where slavery cannot exist. There are complaints about
Texas becoming a new slave state, but no complaints about the far more rapid growth of
states in the free West, as these fine regions are overspread with European migrants
settling there. Texas has been absorbed into the Union in order to accommodate our 10
growing population and allow it to expand westwards. There can be no doubt that Texas
was part of our country’s Manifest Destiny.
Source B
From a speech to Congress by President James K Polk, May 11 1846. Congress
declared war on the Republic of Mexico two days later.
The strong desire to establish peace with Mexico on honourable terms, and the
readiness of our government to adjust our western boundaries on fair, just principles,
which would lead to friendly relations, led me last September to seek the reopening of
diplomatic relations between the two countries. Every measure adopted on our part with
the intention of annexing California and New Mexico. Although our diplomatic mission 5
went to Mexico by agreement between the two governments, with the friendliest of
intentions, our mission has failed. The Mexican Government not only refused to receive
our ambassador or listen to his proposals, but after a series of menaces the Mexicans
have invaded our territory and shed the blood of our fellow-citizens on our own soil.
I recommend to Congress the immediate sending of a large and overpowering armed 10
force to Mexico. I also declare that it is my desire not only to end hostilities speedily, but
to bring all matters in dispute between this Government and Mexico to an early and
friendly conclusion.
IB/G/Jun25/7042/2J
, 3
Source C
From a speech to the House of Representatives by Congressman David Wilmot, 8
February 1847. David Wilmot was a Democrat from Pennsylvania.
Mr Speaker. The issue is whether or not slavery shall be allowed to spread to new and
distant regions, where presently the footprint of a slave cannot be found. Sir, I was in
favour of the annexation of Texas. The Democratic Party, almost to a majority, was in
favour of annexing Texas. However, in the case of more Mexican territory, shall further
concessions be made by the North? Shall we give up free territory and the potential 5
spread of free labour? Sir, Northern treasure is being exhausted and Northern blood
poured upon Mexico. We are told that California and New Mexico are won by our
armies. They are free from slavery, but shall they remain free? This is the issue. The
South contend that they have the right to take and hold slaves in this acquired land.
Unless the Proviso I have offered is adopted by the House, the South will do so. Shall 10
the South be permitted to wrestle these provinces from Northern freemen? This is the
issue.
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 disputes over
westward expansion, in the years 1845 to 1848.
[30 marks]
Turn over for Section B
IB/G/Jun25/7042/2J Turn over ►
