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How to Answer a Paper 3 Style Essay Question
Section C: Topic 3: The Origins and Development of the Cold War, 1941–1950
Cambridge International AS and A level History 9389
How to begin?
Read the extract 2 times and underline the historian’s interpretation and approach of ‘who was
to blame for the Cold War?’
❖ Interpretation: What the historian says in the extract, the nature of his claims and
overall conclusion. Must decide whether he/she is:
- Traditionalist
- Revisionist
- Post-revisionist
- Post-post revisionist
How to Know which Interpretation to use?
TRADITIONALIST
● He/she really hates the USSR
● He/she really likes the USA
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Interpretation began post-WW2 / beginning of CW. McCarthyism strong in US,
Stalin hated as invading EU. Perfect environment for anti-USSR belief to flourish.
MEANING
CW started solely because of the USSR, may say US had nothing to do with it.
Historian might not directly say USSR but hint with examples.
How to Answer a Paper 3 Style Essay Question
Section C: Topic 3: The Origins and Development of the Cold War, 1941–1950
Cambridge International AS and A level History 9389
How to begin?
Read the extract 2 times and underline the historian’s interpretation and approach of ‘who was
to blame for the Cold War?’
❖ Interpretation: What the historian says in the extract, the nature of his claims and
overall conclusion. Must decide whether he/she is:
- Traditionalist
- Revisionist
- Post-revisionist
- Post-post revisionist
How to Know which Interpretation to use?
TRADITIONALIST
● He/she really hates the USSR
● He/she really likes the USA
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Interpretation began post-WW2 / beginning of CW. McCarthyism strong in US,
Stalin hated as invading EU. Perfect environment for anti-USSR belief to flourish.
MEANING
CW started solely because of the USSR, may say US had nothing to do with it.
Historian might not directly say USSR but hint with examples.
