International Relations: 1920-1945
2015 Q.2 Document A:
Source:
DOCUMENT 1 Extract from a speech broadcast by Stalin, leader of the USSR on 22 June 1941
Comrades! The military attack on our fatherland begun on June 22 by Hitler’s Germany, is continuing. A grave danger hangs over our country. Part of our territory has been seized under conditions favourable for German forces and unfavourable for Soviet forces. The fact is that troops of Germany were already fully mobilized and brought up to the Soviet frontiers in a state of complete readiness, only awaiting the signal to move into action, whereas Soviet troops had little time to mobilise and move up to the frontiers. Of importance is the fact that Fascist Germany suddenly and treacherously violated the non-aggression pact agreed in 1939 with the USSR. What did we gain by agreeing a nonaggression pact with Germany? We secured for our country peace for a year and a half and the opportunity of preparing our forces to repulse Fascist Germany should Hitler risk an attack on our country. What is required to put an end to the danger hovering over our country, and what measures must be taken to smash the enemy? All our work must be immediately put on a war footing; everything must be subordinated to the interests of the war front and the task of organising the destruction of the enemy. In areas occupied by the enemy, guerrilla units must be formed to blow up bridges, roads, damage telephone and telegraph lines, and to set fire to forests, stores and transport. Forward to our victory!
Quetsion
(a) DOCUMENT 1 Extract from a speech broadcast by Stalin, leader of the USSR on 22 June 1941.
(i) What grave danger hangs over the Soviet Union? (1)
(ii) Mention one favourable condition that made it possible for German fascist troops to seize Soviet territory. (1)
(iii) What, according to Stalin, did the USSR gain by agreeing a non-aggression pact with Germany? (2)
(iv) Mention two measures Stalin thought necessary to smash the enemy. (2)
(v) Political speeches, such as this one given by Stalin, are useful to historians. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of using political speeches as historical sources.
Advantage:
Disadvantage: (2)
2015 Short Questions(4 Questions):
(xvi) Explain one of the following terms relating to Mussolini:
-March on Rome
-The Lateran Treaty
-The Abyssinia Campaign. (2)
(xvii) Mention two actions taken by Hitler to become dictator of Nazi Germany. (2) (xviii) In Nazi Germany what were the Nuremberg Laws? (2)
(xix) What was appeasement? (2)
2015 Q.6 Question:
(i) Give two reason why fascism became popular in Europe in the 1920s and 1930s. (2)
(ii) Describe how fascist dictators such as Mussolini and Hitler used propaganda to maintain their power. (4)
(iii) Give two reasons why the League of Nations failed to keep the peace in Europe during the 1930s. (4)
(iv) Explain two of the following terms relating to World War Two 1939-1945: The Phoney War; The Blitz; D-Day (June 1944) (2 x 2)
(v) Choose Topic 1 or 2 or 3 below:
Topic 1 - Rise of the Superpowers.
(i) Why did the USA and the USSR become known as the Superpowers? (4)
(ii) Write an account of one of the following:
(a) Korean War 1950-1953.
(b) Cuban Missile Crisis. (12)
Topic 2 - Moves towards European unity.
(i) Why was there a movement towards greater co-operation between European countries after 1945? (4)
(ii) Write about events leading to greater European unity, 1973-1992. (12)
Topic 3 - African and Asian Nationalism.
(i) Give two reasons why European countries began to give up their colonies after 1945. (4)
(ii) Give an account of the struggle for independence of a named African or Asian country after 1945. (12)
2014
Source:
DOCUMENT 2
Extract from an eye-witness account of an RAF pilot in the Battle of Britain, 1940.
I went down in a steeply-banked dive on to the tail of a forward line of Heinkels. I knew the air was full of aircraft flinging themselves about in all directions, but I was conscious only of the Heinkel I had picked out. I pressed the button, he went down in a spin, blanketed with smoke and with pieces flying off. Diving down, I noticed that the running progress of the battle had brought me over London again. I could see the network of streets with the green space of Kensington Gardens, and I had an instant’s glimpse of the Round Pond, where I sailed boats when I was a child. A Dornier 17 sped right across my line of flight, closely pursued by a Hurricane and behind came two Messerschmitts. I swung in towards them, thumbed the gun button, and let them have it. The leading Messerschmitt simply came to pieces in the air but his companion, with one of the speediest and most brilliant ‘get-outs’ I have ever seen, went right away in a half Immelmann turn. I missed him completely so he got away. I had to hand it to him. At that moment, some instinct made me glance up at my rear-view mirror and spot two Messerschmitts closing in on my tail. My fuel reserve was running out and I had only about a second’s supply of ammunition left. I was certainly in no condition to take on two Messerschmitts. But they seemed no more eager than I was. Perhaps they were in the same position, for they turned away for home. I put my nose down and did likewise.
Question
Extract from an eyewitness account of an RAF pilot in the Battle of Britain, 1940.
(i) According to the source, where did the battle between the British and German fighter planes take place?(1)
(ii) Apart from the Messerschmitt, name one type of German fighter plane mentioned in the document. (1)
(iii) What evidence is there to suggest that, even though they were enemies, the writer had respect for the German fighter pilots? (1)
(iv) What reason does the writer give to explain why the two Messerschmitts turned away for home? (2)
(v) ‘Never was so much owed by so many to so few.’ Which British wartime leader said these words in praise of the RAF after its success in the Battle of Britain? (2)
2014 Short Questions:
(xv) Why were the leaders of the Weimar Republic, established in Germany after World War I, referred to as the November Criminals? (2)
(xvi) Mention two ways the German Nazi Party used propaganda to gain support. (2)
(xvii) In relation to Hitler and the Jews, what was the Final Solution? (2)
2014 People in History
B. Write about One of the following:
(ii) A German soldier who took part in Operation Barbarossa (the invasion of Russia, June 1941).
OR
A British or American soldier who took part in D-Day (Allied landings in France, June 1944). (20)
2014 Question 6:
(i) ‘Fascism was a new political movement in Europe after World War I.’ Give two main ideas of Fascism. (2 x 2)
(ii) Write an account of one of the following:
(a) Mussolini’s political achievements.
(b) Hitler’s foreign policy: the path to war, 1933-1939.
(c) Italy’s involvement in World War II. (10)
(iii) Give two reasons why Germany was defeated in World War II. (2 x 2)
2013 Sample Answer:
(xv) Which Italian leader was known as Il Duce? (2)
(xvi) In November 1938, what happened during Kristallnacht in Germany? (2)
(xvii) During the Emergency what was the Compulsory Tillage Scheme? (2)
(xviii) Explain one of the following terms from International Relations in the Twentieth Century:
-Iron curtain;
-Treaty of Rome;
-Imperialism. (2)
2013 Question 6:
(i) In relation to the Treaty of Versailles what was the War Guilt Clause? (2)
(ii) Explain two of the following terms relating to Hitler’s rule in Germany:
Night of the Long Knives;
The Enabling Act; The SS;
Nűremberg Laws. (2 x 2)
(iii) Give two reasons why major European powers were willing to appease Hitler during the 1930s. (2 x 2)
(iv) Give an account of two of the following:
(a) Battle of Britain.
(b) Operation Barbarossa.
(c) D-Day landings. (10 x 2)
2012 Q.2 Documents Question 2:
(i) Name two places visited by Hitler on his tour of Paris. (2)
(ii) Give two pieces of evidence from the document that suggest Hitler was not a welcome visitor to Paris. (2)
(iii) What evidence is there that Hitler was deeply satisfied with his visit to Paris? (2)
(iv) From your study of World War II, what was Vichy France? (2)
Source:
Hitler’s architect Albert Speer gives an account of Hitler’s visit to Paris soon after the fall of France in 1940
We drove through the suburbs directly to the great Opera building. It was Hitler's favourite and the first thing he wanted to see. A white-haired attendant accompanied our small group through the deserted building. Hitler seemed fascinated by the Opera, went into ecstasies about its beauty, his eyes glittering with excitement. The attendant, of course, had immediately recognised the person he was guiding through the building. In a business-like but distinctly aloof manner, he showed us through the rooms. When we were at last getting ready to leave the building, Hitler whispered something to his adjutant, Brückner, who took a fifty-mark note from his wallet and went over to the attendant standing some distance away. Pleasantly, but firmly, the man refused to take the money. Afterward, we drove past the Madeleine, down the Champs Élysées, on to the Trocadéro, and then to the Eiffel Tower, where Hitler ordered another stop. From the Arc de Triomphe we drove on to Les Invalides, where Hitler stood for a long time at the tomb of Napoleon. The end of our tour was the church of Sacre Coeur on Montmartre. Here he stood for a long time surrounded by several powerful men of his escort squad, while many churchgoers recognized him but ignored him. After a last look at Paris we drove swiftly back to the airport. Afterwards he said, ‘It was the dream of my life to be permitted to see Paris. I cannot say how happy I am to have that dream fulfilled today.’ ‘Hitler Tours Paris, 1940,’
www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2008).
Question
2012 Short Questions:
(xviii) Why was the League of Nations set up in 1919? (2)
(xix) Mention two actions taken by Hitler to become dictator of Germany. (2)
(xx) During World War II what was the Blitz? (2)
2012 Q.6 (D):
(i) Explain two of the following terms relating to Mussolini’s rule in Italy, 1922-1943:
Acerbo Law;
Blackshirts;
Lateran Treaty;
Rome-Berlin Axis. (2 x 2)
(ii) Write an account of one of the following:
(a) Nazi propaganda
(b) Nazi economy.
(c) The Nazis and the Jews. (10)
(iii) Select one topic from 1, 2 or 3 below:
Topic 1: The Rise of the Superpowers
(a) Explain two of the following terms:
Containment;
Marshall Plan;
Satellite States;
Iron Curtain. (2 x 2)
(b) Write an account of a named major crisis in the Cold War between the USA and the USSR during the period, 1945-63. (12)
Topic 2: Moves towards European Unity
(a) Explain two of the following terms:
Benelux Union;
ECSC; CAP;
Treaty of Rome, 1957. (2 x 2)
(b) Write an account of the growth of the European Union since 1957. (12)
Topic 3: African and Asian Nationalism
(a) Explain two of the following terms:
Empire;
Imperialism;
Nationalism;
Decolonisation. (2 x 2)
(b) Write an account of the main events in the movement for independence in a named African or Asian country since 1945. (12)