AQA A-LEVEL HISTORY COMPONENT 2R THE COLD WAR , , c1945–1991
JUNE 2023
A-level
HISTORY
Component 2R The Cold War, c1945–1991
Friday 9 June 2023 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
7042/2R.
• 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
IB/M/Jun23/E3 7042/2R
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Source A
From a speech given to the United Nations Security Council, by the US Ambassador to the
United Nations, Adlai Stevenson, 23 October 1962.
I have asked for an emergency meeting of the Security Council to bring to your attention
a grave threat to the peace of the world. Last night, the US President reported alarming
military developments in Cuba. In view of the transformation of Cuba into a base for
offensive weapons of sudden mass destruction, he announced a strict quarantine on all
offensive military weapons under shipment to Cuba. He did so because the importation 5
of the Cold War into the heart of the Americas constitutes a threat to the peace of this
hemisphere and the peace of the world. The crucial fact is that Cuba has given the
Soviet Union a foothold and staging area in this hemisphere; that it has invited an anti-
democratic and expansionist power into the heart of the American family; that it is an
accomplice in the communist enterprise of world dominion. Since the end of the
Second World War, there has been no threat to the vision of peace so profound. 10
Source B
From a confidential message sent by telegram to Nikita Khrushchev by Fidel Castro,
26 October 1962.
I consider that aggression is imminent within the next 72 hours. You can rest assured
that we will firmly resist attack. The morale of the Cuban people is extremely high and
the aggressor will be confronted heroically. If the imperialists invade Cuba with the goal
of occupying it, this aggressive policy poses grave danger for humanity and so the Soviet
Union must never permit circumstances in which the imperialists launch the first nuclear 5
strike. I believe that the imperialists’ aggressiveness is extremely dangerous. If they
actually carry out the brutal act of invading Cuba in violation of international law and
morality, that would be the moment to eliminate such danger forever through an act of
clear legitimate defense, however harsh and terrible the solution would be, for there is no
other. The imperialists, disregarding world public opinion and ignoring principles and the 10
law, are blockading the seas, violating our airspace and preparing an invasion, while
frustrating every possibility for talks.
IB/M/Jun23/7042/2R
JUNE 2023
A-level
HISTORY
Component 2R The Cold War, c1945–1991
Friday 9 June 2023 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
7042/2R.
• 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
IB/M/Jun23/E3 7042/2R
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Source A
From a speech given to the United Nations Security Council, by the US Ambassador to the
United Nations, Adlai Stevenson, 23 October 1962.
I have asked for an emergency meeting of the Security Council to bring to your attention
a grave threat to the peace of the world. Last night, the US President reported alarming
military developments in Cuba. In view of the transformation of Cuba into a base for
offensive weapons of sudden mass destruction, he announced a strict quarantine on all
offensive military weapons under shipment to Cuba. He did so because the importation 5
of the Cold War into the heart of the Americas constitutes a threat to the peace of this
hemisphere and the peace of the world. The crucial fact is that Cuba has given the
Soviet Union a foothold and staging area in this hemisphere; that it has invited an anti-
democratic and expansionist power into the heart of the American family; that it is an
accomplice in the communist enterprise of world dominion. Since the end of the
Second World War, there has been no threat to the vision of peace so profound. 10
Source B
From a confidential message sent by telegram to Nikita Khrushchev by Fidel Castro,
26 October 1962.
I consider that aggression is imminent within the next 72 hours. You can rest assured
that we will firmly resist attack. The morale of the Cuban people is extremely high and
the aggressor will be confronted heroically. If the imperialists invade Cuba with the goal
of occupying it, this aggressive policy poses grave danger for humanity and so the Soviet
Union must never permit circumstances in which the imperialists launch the first nuclear 5
strike. I believe that the imperialists’ aggressiveness is extremely dangerous. If they
actually carry out the brutal act of invading Cuba in violation of international law and
morality, that would be the moment to eliminate such danger forever through an act of
clear legitimate defense, however harsh and terrible the solution would be, for there is no
other. The imperialists, disregarding world public opinion and ignoring principles and the 10
law, are blockading the seas, violating our airspace and preparing an invasion, while
frustrating every possibility for talks.
IB/M/Jun23/7042/2R
