0470_s25_qp_22.pdf 0470_s25_qp_22.pdf 0470_s25_qp_22.pdf
Cambridge IGCSE™
HISTORY 0470/22
Paper 2 Document Questions May/June 2025
1 hour 45 minutes
You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.
* 8 7 1 4 6 2 8 9 5 7 *
You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)
INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer one question on one option only.
Option A: Nineteenth century topic
Option B: Twentieth century topic
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet.
INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 40.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
This document has 12 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (CJ) 343096/2
© UCLES 2025 [Turn over
0470_s25_qp_22.pdf 0470_s25_qp_22.pdf 0470_s25_qp_22.pdf
, 0470_s25_qp_22.pdf 0470_s25_qp_22.pdf 0470_s25_qp_22.pdf
2
Option A: Nineteenth century topic
1 Why was there war between France and Prussia in 1870–71?
Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, and then answer all parts of
Question 1.
Background Information
By 1870 tensions between France and Prussia had been building for some time. Napoleon III
was concerned about growing Prussian power as a result of its victory over Austria in 1866. Also,
the two countries disagreed over who should become the next king of Spain. During this dispute
Bismarck edited a telegram to make it seem as if the Prussian king, William I, had insulted the
French. On 19 July 1870 war began between the two countries.
How far was Prussia responsible for the war?
SOURCE A
The government of Napoleon III is unable to accept the proposal that a Prussian prince might
become king of Spain. It would threaten the territorial security of France. Therefore, France must
ask the King of Prussia for a guarantee that such an arrangement could not be carried out without
the agreement of Napoleon III. Because the King of Prussia has refused to give this, the French
government can only see Prussia’s declaration as a threat to France and to the general balance
of power in Europe. The French government has consequently decided to take steps to defend its
honour. It considers itself, therefore, to be at war with Prussia.
An official statement of the French government, 19 July 1870.
SOURCE B
The proposal that a German prince should be a candidate for the throne of Spain gives the hope
of finding a guarantee for the orderly and peaceful government of Spain, a country that has
undergone many hardships. It has become an excuse for France to find a cause of war which
ignores the rights of the people of Spain to the blessings of peace. Germany in the past centuries
has suffered silently such outrages on its rights and honour. When disunited, it did not know how
strong it was. Today, when the Wars of Freedom have begun to draw Germany together, when the
armaments of Germany no longer leave an opening to the enemy, Germany has the will and the
power to resist renewed acts of French violence. The sword has been forced into our hand. We
are supported by the unanimous will of the German governments of the South, as well as of the
North. Our only aim is to create a lasting peace for Europe.
The speech of William I of Prussia at the opening of the North German Parliament, 19 July 1870.
© UCLES 2025 0470/22/M/J/25
0470_s25_qp_22.pdf 0470_s25_qp_22.pdf 0470_s25_qp_22.pdf
Cambridge IGCSE™
HISTORY 0470/22
Paper 2 Document Questions May/June 2025
1 hour 45 minutes
You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.
* 8 7 1 4 6 2 8 9 5 7 *
You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)
INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer one question on one option only.
Option A: Nineteenth century topic
Option B: Twentieth century topic
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet.
INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 40.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
This document has 12 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (CJ) 343096/2
© UCLES 2025 [Turn over
0470_s25_qp_22.pdf 0470_s25_qp_22.pdf 0470_s25_qp_22.pdf
, 0470_s25_qp_22.pdf 0470_s25_qp_22.pdf 0470_s25_qp_22.pdf
2
Option A: Nineteenth century topic
1 Why was there war between France and Prussia in 1870–71?
Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, and then answer all parts of
Question 1.
Background Information
By 1870 tensions between France and Prussia had been building for some time. Napoleon III
was concerned about growing Prussian power as a result of its victory over Austria in 1866. Also,
the two countries disagreed over who should become the next king of Spain. During this dispute
Bismarck edited a telegram to make it seem as if the Prussian king, William I, had insulted the
French. On 19 July 1870 war began between the two countries.
How far was Prussia responsible for the war?
SOURCE A
The government of Napoleon III is unable to accept the proposal that a Prussian prince might
become king of Spain. It would threaten the territorial security of France. Therefore, France must
ask the King of Prussia for a guarantee that such an arrangement could not be carried out without
the agreement of Napoleon III. Because the King of Prussia has refused to give this, the French
government can only see Prussia’s declaration as a threat to France and to the general balance
of power in Europe. The French government has consequently decided to take steps to defend its
honour. It considers itself, therefore, to be at war with Prussia.
An official statement of the French government, 19 July 1870.
SOURCE B
The proposal that a German prince should be a candidate for the throne of Spain gives the hope
of finding a guarantee for the orderly and peaceful government of Spain, a country that has
undergone many hardships. It has become an excuse for France to find a cause of war which
ignores the rights of the people of Spain to the blessings of peace. Germany in the past centuries
has suffered silently such outrages on its rights and honour. When disunited, it did not know how
strong it was. Today, when the Wars of Freedom have begun to draw Germany together, when the
armaments of Germany no longer leave an opening to the enemy, Germany has the will and the
power to resist renewed acts of French violence. The sword has been forced into our hand. We
are supported by the unanimous will of the German governments of the South, as well as of the
North. Our only aim is to create a lasting peace for Europe.
The speech of William I of Prussia at the opening of the North German Parliament, 19 July 1870.
© UCLES 2025 0470/22/M/J/25
0470_s25_qp_22.pdf 0470_s25_qp_22.pdf 0470_s25_qp_22.pdf
