20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx
20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx 20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_
2025 OCR GCSE (9–1) History A (Explaining the Modern World)
J410/01 International Relations: the changing international order 1918–
1975 with China 1950–1981: The People and the State
Complete Question paper with Marking Scheme Combined
Friday 16 May 2025 – Morning
GCSE (9–1) History A (Explaining the Modern World)
J410/01 International Relations: the changing international order
1918–1975 with China 1950–1981: The People and the State
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
•
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must
be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer all the questions.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 105.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and the use of specialist terminology will be
assessed in questions marked with a pencil ().
• This document has 8 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer
© OCR 2025 [601/8091/2] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (KS/SG) 342795/8 Turn over
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,20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx
20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx 20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_
2
Section A
International Relations: the changing international order 1918–1975
You should spend about 1 hour on this section.
1 Outline how the terms of the Treaty of Versailles were intended to ensure future peace. [5]
2 Explain why Cuba became a focus of tension between the USSR and the USA in the 1960s. [10]
3 Study Interpretation A.
Do you think this interpretation is a fair comment on Neville Chamberlain and his policies in the
period 1937–1939?
Use other interpretations of the events of 1937–1939 and your knowledge to support your
answer. [25]
Interpretation A
From ‘Munich – Its Lessons Ten Years Later’, an essay written by British historian
Hugh Trevor‑Roper, published in 1948.
There was plenty of evidence that Hitler was following a policy of aggression, but Neville
Chamberlain was a man of limited intelligence. He simply could not believe that Hitler was
any different from himself. If Chamberlain wanted peace, so must Hitler. If the evidence
contradicted him, he ignored it. Chamberlain did not want to strengthen the alliance against
Hitler, he wanted to break it up in order to clear the way for his personal diplomacy. The
fact that he acted out of arrogance and stupidity, not out of wickedness, is no excuse. Hitler
flattered Chamberlain by telling him he was the only man he had ever given in to, and
Chamberlain believed him.
© OCR 2025 J410/01 Jun25
20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx 5/29/2026 20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx
,20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx
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3
4 Study Interpretation B.
Explain why not all historians and commentators have agreed with this interpretation.
Use other interpretations and your knowledge to support your answer. [20]
() Spelling, punctuation and grammar and the use of specialist terminology [5]
Interpretation B
From ‘The Origins of the Cold War’, an essay written by US historian Arthur Schlesinger,
published in 1970.
Neither side made a decision to start the Cold War. It happened because each followed
policies which the other saw as a threat. The USSR thought it had no choice but to strengthen
its security in Eastern Europe. The Americans saw this as the USSR’s first step towards taking
over Europe and so they responded by declaring their interest in Eastern Europe. This made
the USSR think that the USA was trying to set up anti‑Soviet governments in the area. There
was a failure of communication between the USA and the USSR and, as time went on, a
tendency to think the worst of the other side’s actions.
Soviet is another term for the USSR.
Turn over for Section B
© OCR 2025 J410/01 Jun25 Turn over
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, 20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx
20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx 20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_
4
Section B
China 1950–1981: The People and the State
You should spend about 45 minutes on this section.
5 Describe one example of opposition to Deng Xiaoping between 1976 and 1981. [2]
6 Explain why Mao used propaganda in China between 1966 and 1976. [10]
7
(a) Study Source A.
Why was this poster published by the Chinese government in the early 1980s? [5]
Source A
A Chinese government poster from the early 1980s. The writing on the bottom of the poster says
‘it’s good to have only one’.
© OCR 2025 J410/01 Jun25
20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx 5/29/2026 20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx
20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx 20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_
2025 OCR GCSE (9–1) History A (Explaining the Modern World)
J410/01 International Relations: the changing international order 1918–
1975 with China 1950–1981: The People and the State
Complete Question paper with Marking Scheme Combined
Friday 16 May 2025 – Morning
GCSE (9–1) History A (Explaining the Modern World)
J410/01 International Relations: the changing international order
1918–1975 with China 1950–1981: The People and the State
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
•
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must
be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer all the questions.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 105.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and the use of specialist terminology will be
assessed in questions marked with a pencil ().
• This document has 8 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer
© OCR 2025 [601/8091/2] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (KS/SG) 342795/8 Turn over
20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx 5/29/2026 20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx
,20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx
20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx 20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_
2
Section A
International Relations: the changing international order 1918–1975
You should spend about 1 hour on this section.
1 Outline how the terms of the Treaty of Versailles were intended to ensure future peace. [5]
2 Explain why Cuba became a focus of tension between the USSR and the USA in the 1960s. [10]
3 Study Interpretation A.
Do you think this interpretation is a fair comment on Neville Chamberlain and his policies in the
period 1937–1939?
Use other interpretations of the events of 1937–1939 and your knowledge to support your
answer. [25]
Interpretation A
From ‘Munich – Its Lessons Ten Years Later’, an essay written by British historian
Hugh Trevor‑Roper, published in 1948.
There was plenty of evidence that Hitler was following a policy of aggression, but Neville
Chamberlain was a man of limited intelligence. He simply could not believe that Hitler was
any different from himself. If Chamberlain wanted peace, so must Hitler. If the evidence
contradicted him, he ignored it. Chamberlain did not want to strengthen the alliance against
Hitler, he wanted to break it up in order to clear the way for his personal diplomacy. The
fact that he acted out of arrogance and stupidity, not out of wickedness, is no excuse. Hitler
flattered Chamberlain by telling him he was the only man he had ever given in to, and
Chamberlain believed him.
© OCR 2025 J410/01 Jun25
20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx 5/29/2026 20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx
,20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx
20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx 20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_
3
4 Study Interpretation B.
Explain why not all historians and commentators have agreed with this interpretation.
Use other interpretations and your knowledge to support your answer. [20]
() Spelling, punctuation and grammar and the use of specialist terminology [5]
Interpretation B
From ‘The Origins of the Cold War’, an essay written by US historian Arthur Schlesinger,
published in 1970.
Neither side made a decision to start the Cold War. It happened because each followed
policies which the other saw as a threat. The USSR thought it had no choice but to strengthen
its security in Eastern Europe. The Americans saw this as the USSR’s first step towards taking
over Europe and so they responded by declaring their interest in Eastern Europe. This made
the USSR think that the USA was trying to set up anti‑Soviet governments in the area. There
was a failure of communication between the USA and the USSR and, as time went on, a
tendency to think the worst of the other side’s actions.
Soviet is another term for the USSR.
Turn over for Section B
© OCR 2025 J410/01 Jun25 Turn over
20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx 5/29/2026 20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx
, 20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx
20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx 20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_
4
Section B
China 1950–1981: The People and the State
You should spend about 45 minutes on this section.
5 Describe one example of opposition to Deng Xiaoping between 1976 and 1981. [2]
6 Explain why Mao used propaganda in China between 1966 and 1976. [10]
7
(a) Study Source A.
Why was this poster published by the Chinese government in the early 1980s? [5]
Source A
A Chinese government poster from the early 1980s. The writing on the bottom of the poster says
‘it’s good to have only one’.
© OCR 2025 J410/01 Jun25
20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx 5/29/2026 20251202204608_692f5010436b1_ngcr__116_.docx
