AQA_2024: AS History - The Cold War, c1945–1991 Component 2R: To the Brink of Nuclear War: International Relations, c1945–1963 (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)

AQA_2024: AS History - The Cold War, c1945–1991 Component 2R: To the Brink of Nuclear War: International Relations, c1945–1963 (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme) AS HISTORY The Cold War, c1945–1991 Component 2R To the brink of Nuclear War: international relations, c1945–1963 Monday 20 May 2024 Materials For this paper you must have:  an AQA 16-page answer book. Instructions Afternoon  Use black ink or black ball-point pen. Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes  Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7041/2R.  Answer two questions. In Section A answer Question 01. In Section B answer either Question 02 or Question 03. Information  The marks for questions are shown in brackets.  The maximum mark for this paper is 50.  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: – 50 minutes on Section A – 40 minutes on Section B. For AS History: The Cold War, c1945–1991, Component 2R: To the Brink of Nuclear War: International Relations, c1945–1963, focus on these key areas: 1. The Beginning of the Cold War (1945–1949):  Ideological Conflict: Understand the fundamental ideological differences between the USA (capitalism) and the USSR (communism), which led to mistrust and competition for global influence.  Post-War Europe: Focus on the division of Germany and Europe, and the Berlin Blockade () as a symbol of early Cold War tensions. Study the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan, which aimed to contain the spread of communism in Europe. 2. The Emergence of the Cold War Powers:  The Iron Curtain and Eastern Europe: Examine how Stalin's control over Eastern Europe led to the establishment of satellite states in the region and the growing tension with the West.  Formation of Military Alliances: Analyze the creation of NATO (1949) and the Warsaw Pact (1955) as formal military alliances that solidified the division of Europe. 3. Key Crises of the Early Cold War:  The Korean War (1950–1953): Understand how the Korean War became a proxy conflict between the USA and USSR, symbolizing the global struggle between capitalism and communism. 4. The Nuclear Arms Race and Threat of Nuclear War:  Development of Nuclear Weapons: Examine the USA’s use of the atomic bomb in 1945 and the subsequent Soviet development of nuclear weapons, which escalated the arms race.  The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962): Focus on the Cuban Missile Crisis, a key moment when the USA and USSR came closest to nuclear conflict. Analyze the events leading up to the crisis, including Soviet missile deployment in Cuba, and how both sides avoided full-scale war through negotiation. 5. The Berlin Crisis (1958–1961):  Berlin Ultimatum: Study the Berlin Crisis in the late 1950s when Khrushchev demanded the removal of Allied troops from Berlin, leading to heightened tensions. This culminated in the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, which became a potent symbol of Cold War division. 6. The Role of Key Figures:  Harry S. Truman: Understand Truman's role in shaping early Cold War policy, including his stance on containment and his response to the Soviet threat.  Joseph Stalin and Nikita Khrushchev: Study the role of Stalin in initiating Cold War tensions and Khrushchev's role during the 1950s and early 1960s, especially in relation to nuclear arms and the Berlin and Cuban crises. 7. The Role of International Institutions:  United Nations: Focus on the UN’s role in mediating conflicts, including its involvement in the Korean War and efforts to address Cold War tensions. 7041/2R IB/M/Jun24/G4002/E2 2 Section A Answer Question 01. Source A From an official note sent to the American Ambassador in Moscow by the Soviet Foreign Ministry, 27 November 1958. This was shortly after Khrushchev’s Berlin Ultimatum. The policies of the Western Powers in West Germany have violated the Potsdam Agreement, designed to ensure the unity of Germany as a peace-loving and democratic state. In West Germany, there is a government which does not conceal its hatred for the Soviet Union, whereas in East Germany there is a government which has completely broken with Germany’s aggressive past. There is only one conclusion to be drawn from this: the Potsdam Agreement has been grossly violated by the Western Powers. They are abusing their position in West Berlin, using it as a centre from which to pursue subversive activity against the Soviet Union and we cannot tolerate such a situation any longer. 5 Source B From a radio and television broadcast to the American people by President Kennedy, 25 July 1961. Seven weeks ago tonight I returned from Vienna after my meeting with Khrushchev. He made grim warnings about the future of Berlin and announced an increase in the Soviet military budget. He intends to end our legal rights to be in West Berlin and our ability to protect the two million free people of that city. That we cannot permit. Our presence in West Berlin cannot be ended by the Soviets and we gave our word that an attack upon that city would be regarded as an attack upon us all in NATO. Today, the endangered frontier of freedom runs through divided Berlin. We want it to remain a frontier of peace – we seek peace, but we shall not surrender. 5 0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, which of these two sources is more valuable in explaining why there were tensions between the Soviet Union and the USA over Berlin in the years 1958 to 1961? [25 marks] IB/M/Jun24/7041/2R 3 Section B Answer either Question 02 or Question 03. Either 0 2 ‘The breakdown of relations between the Soviet Union and the West by 1947 was mainly the result of ideological differences.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. [25 marks] or 0 3 ‘In the years 1949 to 1955, US policies in Asia were very successful.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. [25 marks] END OF QUESTIONS IB/M/Jun24/7041/2R 4 There are no questions printed on this