2024 AQA A-Level HISTORY 7042/1K Component 1K The making of a
Superpower: USA, 1865–1975
Verified Question paper and Marking Scheme Attached
A-level
HISTORY
Component 1K The making of a Superpower: USA, 1865–1975
Thursday 23 May 2024 Morning 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 7042/1K.
• 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.
Extract A
William McKinley took full advantage of the opportunities provided by the war of 1898 to popularise the
expansionist doctrines of duty, dollars and destiny. He fashioned an overseas empire, rooted US influence
more deeply in the Caribbean and the Pacific, and pushed for greater world involvement. But the United
States did not become a major player in world affairs immediately. The brief flurry of enthusiasm for empire
barely outlasted the war against Spain. The need to consolidate territory already acquired consumed great 5
energy and resources. While busily solidifying its position in traditional areas of influence in the Caribbean
and the Pacific, the United States did not acquire new colonies or involve itself in the frantic scrambling for
alliances that characterised European foreign policies before World War 1. Between 1901 and 1913 the
United States did, however, take a much more active role in the world. Brimming with optimism and
exuberance, Americans firmly believed that their ideals and institutions would be the way of the future. 10
Adapted from GC Herring, From Colony to Superpower: US Foreign Relations Since
1776, 2016
Extract B
The consequences of the commercial transformation of America from 1890 to 1920 were, of course, chiefly
economic, but they also began to affect international relations. The growth of American industrial power and
overseas trade was accompanied by a more assertive diplomacy. Claims to a special moral position which
made American foreign policy superior to the Old World’s were intermingled with racial arguments, and with
the urging of industrial and agricultural pressure groups for secure overseas markets. The traditional, if 5
always exaggerated, alarm about threats to the Monroe Doctrine was accompanied by calls for the United
States to fulfil its ‘Manifest Destiny’ across the Pacific. Entangling alliances still had to be avoided but from
1900 the United States was being urged by many groups at home into a much more activist diplomacy
despite the fact that in 1892 the ‘New York Herald’ had proposed the abolition of the department responsible
for foreign policy since it had ‘so little business to conduct overseas’. 10
Adapted from P Kennedy, The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, 1987
IB/M/Jun24/7042/1K
, 3
Extract C
In the 1890s most perceptive economic and political leaders and the editors of key business and financial
journals realised that farmers made up the majority of the politically active population in the West. That
meant it was vital to provide overseas markets for agricultural surplus if the urban elites were to maintain
and consolidate their power. Republicans recognised the resulting danger to their position. If they could not
weaken the opposition arising from the farmers in the West, then they would lose power and authority to the 5
newly formed People’s – or Populist – Party, inspired by men such as William Jennings Bryan. The
Republican leadership therefore committed to a foreign policy of overseas economic expansion. That
approach, in their view, would win the urban businessmen, as well as retaining the support of a crucial
segment of northern voters and winning over midwestern farmers. It would adapt the traditional American
outlook to new circumstances. 10
Adapted from WA Williams, The Tragedy of American Diplomacy, 1959
0 1 Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the arguments in
these three extracts are in relation to US expansion in the years 1890 to 1920.
[30 marks]
Turn over for Section B
IB/M/Jun24/7042/1K Turn over ►
Superpower: USA, 1865–1975
Verified Question paper and Marking Scheme Attached
A-level
HISTORY
Component 1K The making of a Superpower: USA, 1865–1975
Thursday 23 May 2024 Morning 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 7042/1K.
• 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.
Extract A
William McKinley took full advantage of the opportunities provided by the war of 1898 to popularise the
expansionist doctrines of duty, dollars and destiny. He fashioned an overseas empire, rooted US influence
more deeply in the Caribbean and the Pacific, and pushed for greater world involvement. But the United
States did not become a major player in world affairs immediately. The brief flurry of enthusiasm for empire
barely outlasted the war against Spain. The need to consolidate territory already acquired consumed great 5
energy and resources. While busily solidifying its position in traditional areas of influence in the Caribbean
and the Pacific, the United States did not acquire new colonies or involve itself in the frantic scrambling for
alliances that characterised European foreign policies before World War 1. Between 1901 and 1913 the
United States did, however, take a much more active role in the world. Brimming with optimism and
exuberance, Americans firmly believed that their ideals and institutions would be the way of the future. 10
Adapted from GC Herring, From Colony to Superpower: US Foreign Relations Since
1776, 2016
Extract B
The consequences of the commercial transformation of America from 1890 to 1920 were, of course, chiefly
economic, but they also began to affect international relations. The growth of American industrial power and
overseas trade was accompanied by a more assertive diplomacy. Claims to a special moral position which
made American foreign policy superior to the Old World’s were intermingled with racial arguments, and with
the urging of industrial and agricultural pressure groups for secure overseas markets. The traditional, if 5
always exaggerated, alarm about threats to the Monroe Doctrine was accompanied by calls for the United
States to fulfil its ‘Manifest Destiny’ across the Pacific. Entangling alliances still had to be avoided but from
1900 the United States was being urged by many groups at home into a much more activist diplomacy
despite the fact that in 1892 the ‘New York Herald’ had proposed the abolition of the department responsible
for foreign policy since it had ‘so little business to conduct overseas’. 10
Adapted from P Kennedy, The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, 1987
IB/M/Jun24/7042/1K
, 3
Extract C
In the 1890s most perceptive economic and political leaders and the editors of key business and financial
journals realised that farmers made up the majority of the politically active population in the West. That
meant it was vital to provide overseas markets for agricultural surplus if the urban elites were to maintain
and consolidate their power. Republicans recognised the resulting danger to their position. If they could not
weaken the opposition arising from the farmers in the West, then they would lose power and authority to the 5
newly formed People’s – or Populist – Party, inspired by men such as William Jennings Bryan. The
Republican leadership therefore committed to a foreign policy of overseas economic expansion. That
approach, in their view, would win the urban businessmen, as well as retaining the support of a crucial
segment of northern voters and winning over midwestern farmers. It would adapt the traditional American
outlook to new circumstances. 10
Adapted from WA Williams, The Tragedy of American Diplomacy, 1959
0 1 Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the arguments in
these three extracts are in relation to US expansion in the years 1890 to 1920.
[30 marks]
Turn over for Section B
IB/M/Jun24/7042/1K Turn over ►
