Assumption English School

Mid-Year Examination
2016

Subject: History Elective

Level/Stream: Secondary 4 Normal (Academic)

Date: 11 May 2016

Time: 0800 - 0940

Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes

SBQ LORMS
 2

Section A: Source-Based Case Study (30 Marks)

(a) Study Source A.

What is the message of this source? Explain your answer, using details of the source.
[5]
Question Target: Inference Skill
DESCRIPTION OF SOURCE/ ANSWERS BASED ON PROVENANCE/ INACCURATE
INFERENCE
Example
L1 [1]
The message of this source is that on June 25, 1950 communist North Korean soldiers
attack South Korea. [answer based on description of source]

INFERENCE (SUB-MESSAGES) OR MAIN MESSAGE BASED ON CONTENT,

UNSUPPORTED
Example

The message of this source is that North Korea was supported by Soviet Union
and China during the Korean War. [sub-message]

Other possible sub-message(s):

Soviet Union and China were involved in the Korean War.
L2 Soviet Union and China were responsible for the outbreak of the Korean War in [2]
1950.
North Korea was responsible for the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950.

OR

The message of this source is that the USAs involvement in the Korean War was
justified because the intervention was carried out in order to protect democratic
South Korea. [main message]

INFERENCE (SUB-MESSAGES) BASED ON CONTENT, SUPPORTED

Example

The message of this source is that North Korea was supported by Soviet Union
and China during the Korean War. This can be seen from the source where a group
of North Korean soldiers were on their way to attack South Korea with their weapons
L3 [3]
and tanks while yelling JOE STALIN SENT ME! and MAO TSE-TUNG SENT ME!
The caption in the comic also stated that The Northerners were trained in China. They
use guns and tanks from the Soviet Union. This means that North Korea had the
support of Soviet Union and China during the Korean War who provided them with
military training and weapons to facilitate the attack on South Korea.

IDENTIFIES THE MAIN MESSAGE OF THE SOURCE, SUPPORTED

(Award the higher mark in the level for more fully developed answers.)
Example

The message of this source is that the USAs involvement in the Korean War was
justified because the intervention was carried out in order to protect democratic
South Korea. This can be seen from the source where a group of North Korean
L4 soldiers were on their way to attack South Korea with their weapons and tanks while [4-5]
yelling JOE STALIN SENT ME! and MAO TSE-TUNG SENT ME! which suggested
that North Korea was supported and aided by both Soviet Union and China. The
caption in the comic then posed the question Who defends democratic South Korea?
This means that the USAs involvement in the Korean War was justified as they
intervened in the war in order to protect the weaker democratic South Korea in the face
of stronger communist North Korean invading forces.
 3

(b) Study Source B.

Why was this photograph published in October 1950? Explain your answer. [5]
Question Target: Purpose Skill
ANSWERS BASED ON PROVENANCE/ DESCRIPTION OF SOURCE
Example

L1 This photograph was published in October 1950 to show the aftermath of the air raid by [1]
the USA planes over Pyongyang, the Communist capital of North Korea. [answer based
on provenance]

REASON BASED ON CONTEXT, EXPLAINED because of what was going on at

the time
Example

This photograph was published in October 1950 because by this time the United
L2 Nations had intervened in the war when it landed its troops, made up of mainly US and [2]
British forces, in July 1950. Thus, this photograph showing the impact of the air raid by
the USA planes on North Korea, which was published in a British newspaper, served to
record and report on the ongoing war efforts by the United Nations troops in fighting
against the North Korean forces during the Korean War.

REASON (INFERENCE) BASED ON CONTENT, SUPPORTED

Example

This photograph was published in October 1950 in order to show the USAs
involvement in in the Korean War was not justified. This can be seen from the
source where an elderly woman carrying an injured child with a bandage around his
L3 [3]
head were among those North Korean civilians standing in the midst of rubble possibly
from their homes that were destroyed by the USA air raids. This means that the USAs
involvement in the Korean War was not justified as it resulted in extensive destruction
and injuries as well as additional problems such as homelessness for the innocent
North Korean civilians.

MESSAGE BASED ON CONTENT, SUPPORTED

(use of VAMEE)
Example

This photograph was published in October 1950 in order to criticise the USA for
its unjustified involvement in the Korean War. This can be seen from the source
where an elderly woman carrying an injured child with a bandage around his head were
among those North Korean civilians standing in the midst of rubble possibly from their
homes that were destroyed by the USA air raids. This means that the USAs
L4 involvement in the Korean War was not justified as it resulted in extensive destruction [4]
and injuries as well as additional problems such as homelessness for the innocent
North Korean civilians.

Other possible answer(s):

convince/persuade the British public that the USA involvement in the Korean War
was not justified.

L4 + PURPOSE (IMPACT)
(use of VAMIEE)
Example
L5 [5]
This photograph was published in October 1950 in order to criticise the USA for
its unjustified involvement in the Korean War. As the source was published while
the war was still going on, the photographer must have wanted the USA to be
pressured into rethinking its unconstructive involvement in the war and adopting
 4

a different military tactic that would produce a more positive outcome in the
Korean War. This can be seen from the source where an elderly woman carrying an
injured child with a bandage around his head were among those North Korean civilians
standing in the midst of rubble possibly from their homes that were destroyed by the
USA air raids. This means that the USAs involvement in the Korean War was not
justified as it resulted in extensive destruction and injuries as well as additional
problems such as homelessness for the innocent North Korean civilians.
 5

(c) Study Sources C and D.

How similar are these two sources? Explain your answer. [6]
Question Target: Comparison Skill
SIMILARITY / DIFFERENCE BASED ON PROVENANCE/ SOURCE TYPE/ FALSE
MATCHING
Example
L1 [1]
Sources C and D are similar as both sources are taken from members of the
American government involved in the Korean War. [answer based on provenance]

SIMILARITY OR/AND DIFFERENCE BASED ON CONTENT, UNSUPPORTED

Example

Sources C and D are similar when talking about how the USAs involvement in the
Korean War was justified.
L2 OR/AND [2]

Sources C and D are different as Source C stated that the USA intervened in the
Korean War to protect the freedom of the democratic South Korea while Source D
stated that the USA intervened to protect its own security and honour.

SIMILARITY OR DIFFERENCE BASED ON CONTENT, SUPPORTED

Example

Sources C and D are similar when talking about how the USAs involvement in
the Korean War was justified because it was done in order to protect sovereign
South Korea. The evidence from Source C is By their actions, Communist leaders
have demonstrated their disrespect for basic moral principles of the United Nations.
This is a direct challenge to the efforts of free nations to build a world where men can
live in freedom and peace. This means that the USAs involvement in the Korean
War was justified as they are protecting a democratic nation from being aggressively
taken over by Communism. Similarly, the evidence from Source D is Clearly the
invasion of South Korea by North Korea was an open, undisguised challenge to
Americas internationally accepted position as the protector of democratic South
Korea, which was also an area of great importance to the security of the nearby
American-occupied Japan. This also means that the USAs involvement in the
Korean War was justified as they are protecting democratic South Korea from being
unlawfully invaded the Communist North Korea. Thus, both sources are similar.
L3 [3]
OR

Sources C and D are different as Source C stated that the USA intervened in
the Korean War to protect the freedom of the democratic South Korea while
Source D stated that the USA intervened to protect its own security and
honour. The evidence from Source C is An act of aggression such as this creates a
very real danger to the security of all free, democratic nations. By their actions,
Communist leaders have demonstrated their disrespect for basic moral principles of
the United Nations. This means that the USA intervened in the Korean War to
protect the freedom of the democratic countries like South Korea from being
unlawfully invaded by Communist countries. On the other hand, the evidence from
Source D is Clearly the invasion of South Korea by North Korea was an open,
undisguised challenge to Americas internationally accepted position as the protector
of democratic South Korea, which was also an area of great importance to the
security of the nearby American-occupied Japan. To back away from this challenge,
in view of the power of the USA, would be highly destructive of our strength and
reputation. This means that the USA intervened in the Korean War to protect its own
security interest in the region as well as to show its status as a world power with the
 6

capability to resist the Communist expansion in the region.

SIMILARITY AND DIFFERENCE, SUPPORTED
[Award 5 marks for one similarity AND difference, supported and additional marks for
more developed answers]
L4 [4-5]
Example

Both elements of L3.

L4 + SIMILARITY IN PURPOSE OR TONE, SUPPORTED
Example

L4+

Both sources are similar as they have the same purpose, which is to convince the
L5 [6]
American public that the USAs involvement in the Korean War was justified.
These were done in both sources so that the American public will continue to support
and honour the positive role of the United States in the Korean War to protect the
freedom of democratic countries.
 7

(d) Study Source E.

How useful is this source as evidence about the USAs involvement in the Korean
War? Explain your answer. [6]
Question Target: Utility Skill
USEFUL/ NOT USEFUL BASED ON DEVELOPED PROVENANCE
OR
USEFUL OR NOT USEFUL BASED ON SOURCE CONTENT, UNSUPPORTED
Example

Source E is not useful as evidence about the USAs involvement in the Korean War
because it came from the North Korean Foreign Minister himself during the height of
the Korean War in 1950. Naturally, the minister would paint a negative image of the
L1 [1]
USA, the country that North Korea was at war with at that point in time. [answer
based on developed provenance]

OR

Source E is useful because it tells me that the USAs involvement in the Korean war
was not justified. [answer based on content, unsupported]

USEFUL OR NOT USEFUL BASED ON SOURCE CONTENT, SUPPORTED

[Award 2 marks for answer with support for one view, award 3m for both views
presented]
Example

Source E is useful because it tells me that the USAs involvement in the

Korean war was not justified. The evidence is American intervention and their
running dogs in the South Korean government have inflicted tremendous tragedies
and hardships upon the Korean people in this civil war, for which the U.S.
government is solely responsible. They have supplied political, military and economic
aid, and directed in the building and training of South Korean army, and in working
out an aggressive plan for the invasion of North Korea. This means that the USAs
involvement in the Korean war was not justified because their intervention was done
with the intention of invading North Korea and has also resulted in the suffering of
the Korean civilians instead.

L2 [2-3]
OR/AND

Source E is not useful because it does not tell us that the USA had a moral
obligation for its involvement in the Korean war, which is to stop the spread of
communism in Korea. The source only mentions the North Koreans
perspective that the intervention was not justified as it was meant to attack
and occupy North Korea instead. The evidence is American intervention and
their running dogs in the South Korean government have inflicted tremendous
tragedies and hardships upon the Korean people in this civil war, for which the U.S.
government is solely responsible. They have supplied political, military and economic
aid, and directed in the building and training of South Korean army, and in working
out an aggressive plan for the invasion of North Korea. This means that the USAs
involvement in the Korean war was not justified because their intervention was done
with the intention of invading North Korea and has also resulted in the suffering of
the Korean civilians instead.

USEFULNESS EXPLAINED THROUGH CROSS-REFERENCE

[Award 4 marks for useful/ not useful of source explained through cross-reference]
[Award 5 marks only if both usefulness and limitations of source is explained through cross-
L3 reference] [4-5]
Example

Source E is useful because it tells me that the USAs involvement in the

 8

Korean war was not justified. The evidence is American intervention and their
running dogs in the South Korean government have inflicted tremendous tragedies
and hardships upon the Korean people in this civil war, for which the U.S.
government is solely responsible. They have supplied political, military and economic
aid, and directed in the building and training of South Korean army, and in working
out an aggressive plan for the invasion of North Korea. This means that the USAs
involvement in the Korean war was not justified because their intervention was done
with the intention of invading North Korea and has also resulted in the suffering of
the Korean civilians instead. Furthermore, Source E is supported by Source B.
This can be seen from the source where an elderly woman carrying an injured child
with a bandage around his head were among those North Korean civilians standing
in the midst of rubble possibly from their homes that were destroyed by the USA air
raids. This also means that the USAs involvement in the Korean War was not
justified as it resulted in extensive destruction and injuries as well as additional
problems such as homelessness for the innocent North Korean civilians. Since
Source E is supported by Source B, this means that Source E is reliable.
Hence, Source E is useful.

OR/AND

Source E is not useful because it does not tell us that the USA had a moral
obligation for its involvement in the Korean war, which is to stop the spread of
communism in Korea. The source only mentions the North Koreans
perspective that the intervention was not justified as it was meant to attack
and occupy North Korea instead. The evidence is American intervention and
their running dogs in the South Korean government have inflicted tremendous
tragedies and hardships upon the Korean people in this civil war, for which the U.S.
government is solely responsible. They have supplied political, military and economic
aid, and directed in the building and training of South Korean army, and in working
out an aggressive plan for the invasion of North Korea. This means that the USAs
involvement in the Korean war was not justified because their intervention was done
with the intention of invading North Korea and has also resulted in the suffering of
the Korean civilians instead. Furthermore, Source E is challenged by Source C.
The evidence is By their actions, Communist leaders have demonstrated their
disrespect for basic moral principles of the United Nations. This is a direct challenge
to the efforts of free nations to build a world where men can live in freedom and
peace. This means that the USAs involvement in the Korean War was justified as
they intervened to protect a democratic nation from being unlawfully invaded by a
Communist country. Since Source E is challenged by Source C, this means that
Source E is not reliable. Hence, Source E is not useful.

L4 + QUESTIONING PURPOSE
Example

L4+
The source is not useful as evidence about the USAs involvement in the Korean
War as the North Korean Foreign Minister sent the statement to the President of the
United States with the specific purpose to convince the United Nations that the
L4 USAs involvement in the Korean War was not justified. By sending the [6]
statement, he hoped that the United Nations would reassess its intervention and
consider pulling out its troops from the Korean War as their intervention had
not been beneficial to the situation in Korea. In doing this, the North Korean
Foreign Minister would naturally portray the American intervention in a negative light
such as the sufferings it had inflicted on the Korean civilians, thus making the source
biased and unreliable and therefore not useful.
 9

(e) Study all the sources.

The USAs involvement in the Korean War was justified. How far do these sources
support this view? Use the sources and your knowledge to explain your answer. [8]
Question Target: Evaluation Skill
WRITES ABOUT THE HYPOTHESIS, NO VALID SOURCE USE

Example
L1 [1]
On June 25, 1950, the Korean War began when some 75,000 soldiers from the
North Korean Peoples Army poured across the 38th parallel into the pro-Western
South Korea. By July, American troops had entered the war on South Koreas behalf.

YES OR NO, SUPPORTED BY VALID SOURCE USE

[Award 2 marks for one Y or N supported by valid source use, and an additional
mark for each subsequent valid source use up to a maximum of 4 marks]
Example

Sources A, C and D support the view that the USAs involvement in the Korean
War was justified. This can be seen from Source A where a group of North Korean
soldiers were on their way to attack South Korea with their weapons and tanks while
yelling JOE STALIN SENT ME! and MAO TSE-TUNG SENT ME! which
suggested that North Korea was supported and aided by both Soviet Union and
China. The caption in the comic then posed the question Who defends democratic
South Korea? This means that the USAs involvement in the Korean War was
justified as they intervened in the war in order to protect the weaker democratic
South Korea in the face of stronger communist North Korean invading forces. The
evidence from Source C is By their actions, Communist leaders have demonstrated
their disrespect for basic moral principles of the United Nations. This is a direct
challenge to the efforts of free nations to build a world where men can live in
freedom and peace. This means that the USAs involvement in the Korean War was
justified as they are protecting a democratic nation from being aggressively taken
over by Communism. The evidence from Source D is Clearly the invasion of South
Korea by North Korea was an open, undisguised challenge to Americas
internationally accepted position as the protector of democratic South Korea, which
was also an area of great importance to the security of the nearby American-
occupied Japan. This means that the USAs involvement in the Korean War was
L2 [2-4]
justified as they are protecting democratic South Korea from being unlawfully
invaded the Communist North Korea. Thus, Sources A, C and D support the view
that the USAs involvement in the Korean War was justified.

OR

Sources B and E do not support the view that the USAs involvement in the
Korean War was justified. This can be seen from Source B where an elderly
woman carrying an injured child with a bandage around his head were among those
North Korean civilians standing in the midst of rubble possibly from their homes that
were destroyed by the USA air raids. This means that the USAs involvement in the
Korean War was not justified as it resulted in extensive destruction and injuries as
well as additional problems such as homelessness for the innocent North Korean
civilians. The evidence from Source E is American intervention and their running
dogs in the South Korean government have inflicted tremendous tragedies and
hardships upon the Korean people in this civil war, for which the U.S. government is
solely responsible. They have supplied political, military and economic aid, and
directed in the building and training of South Korean army, and in working out an
aggressive plan for the invasion of North Korea. This means that the USAs
involvement in the Korean war was not justified because their intervention was done
with the intention of invading North Korea and has also resulted in the suffering of
the Korean civilians instead. Thus, Sources B and E do not support the view that
the USAs involvement in the Korean War was justified.
 10

YES AND NO, SUPPORTED BY VALID SOURCE USE

[Award 5 marks for one Y and N supported by valid source use, and an additional
mark for each subsequent valid source use up to a maximum of 7 marks]
L3 [5-8]
Both elements of L2

For L2 and L3 award a bonus of up to two marks (i.e. +1/+1) for use of contextual knowledge to
question a source in relation to its reliability, sufficiency etc. the total mark must not exceed 8.

Notes:
To score in L2/L3 there must be source use, i.e. direct reference to source content.
Only credit source use where reference is made to a source by letter or direct quote. Simply
writing about issues in the sources is not enough.
Higher marks in L2/L3 to be awarded on numbers of sources used.
 11

Assumption English School

Mid-Year Examination
2016

Subject: History Elective

Level/Stream: Secondary 4 Normal (Academic)

Date: 11 May 2016

Time: 0800 - 0940

Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes

SEQ LORMS
 12

Section B: Structured-Essay Questions (20 Marks)

2 This question is on Japans defeat in World War II.

(a) What were the strengths of the United States which contributed to the defeat of Japan in
World War II? [8]

DESCRIBES THE DEFEAT OF JAPAN IN WORLD WAR II

[Award 1m for one detail and an additional mark for any further details.]
Example
1-2
Level 1
marks
On 15 August 1945, Japanese Emperor Hirohito announced his countrys
unconditional surrender to the Allies signifying Japans defeat in World War II.

IDENTIFIES OR DESCRIBES ONE STRENGTH

[- Award 3 marks for each identified aspect up to a maximum of 5 marks OR
- Award 4 marks for one described aspect and an additional mark for further
details]
Example

One strength of the United States which contributed to the defeat of

Japan in World War II was its economic strength. USA was the worlds
largest industrial producer. It had strong industrial foundation and was able to
quickly switch from production of goods for consumption to production of
military equipment. It also had ready supply of manpower. This helped to boost
the production of war goods. Japan, on the other hand, lacked the strong
industrial capabilities to support their war effort. The limited resources were
further crippled when the American submarines increased its attacks on Japan
and its merchant ships. Japanese people had less food and its factories had
fewer resources as a result. 3-5
Level 2
marks
OR

Another strength of the United States which contributed to the defeat of

Japan in World War II was its military and naval strengths. The Japanese
attack on Pearl Harbor failed to destroy the US naval fleet there completely.
For example, three US aircraft carriers were out at sea and were not destroyed.
USA was, as a result, still determined and militarily strong enough to fight back
against the Japanese. US military and naval strengths were proven in several
key battles. Though the Battle of the Coral Sea was a draw in terms of
damages, it was a victory for the Allies, as it stopped Japans southward
advance towards Australia. The Battle of Midway also seriously affected
Japans naval and air defence capabilities for the rest of the war. The United
States also later on carried out aerial bombings on Japanese cities, like Tokyo,
using capture bases such as the Philippines and Iwo Jima.

DESCRIBES TWO FORMS OF STRENGTHS

[Award 6 marks for describing two forms of aid and an additional mark for the
depth of supporting information up to a maximum of 8 marks]
Example

One strength of the United States which contributed to the defeat of

Japan in World War II was its economic strength. USA was the worlds
largest industrial producer. It had strong industrial foundation and was able to 6-8
Level 3
quickly switch from production of goods for consumption to production of marks
military equipment. It also had ready supply of manpower. This helped to boost
the production of war goods. Japan, on the other hand, lacked the strong
industrial capabilities to support their war effort. The limited resources were
further crippled when the American submarines increased its attacks on Japan
and its merchant ships. Japanese people had less food and its factories had
fewer resources as a result.
AND
 13

Another strength of the United States which contributed to the defeat of

Japan in World War II was its military and naval strengths. The Japanese
attack on Pearl Harbor failed to destroy the US naval fleet there completely.
For example, three US aircraft carriers were out at sea and were not destroyed.
USA was, as a result, still determined and militarily strong enough to fight back
against the Japanese. US military and naval strengths were proven in several
key battles. Though the Battle of the Coral Sea was a draw in terms of
damages, it was a victory for the Allies, as it stopped Japans southward
advance towards Australia. The Battle of Midway also seriously affected
Japans naval and air defence capabilities for the rest of the war. The United
States also later on carried out aerial bombings on Japanese cities, like Tokyo,
using capture bases such as the Philippines and Iwo Jima.
 14

(b) Explain how each of the following factors led to Japans defeat in World War II:

(i) Ineffective defence of overextended Japanese empire,

(ii) Allied victory in Europe. [12]

WRITES ABOUT JAPANS DEFEAT IN WORLD WAR II WITHOUT FOCUS

ON QUESTION
[Award 1m for one detail and an additional mark for any further details.]
Example 1-2
Level 1
marks
On 15 August 1945, Japanese Emperor Hirohito announced his countrys
unconditional surrender to the Allies signifying Japans defeat in World War II.

DESCRIBES REASONS
[Award 3 marks for describing one factor and 5 marks for describing 2 factors
up to a maximum of 6 marks.
Example

Ineffective defence of overextended Japanese empire led to Japans

defeat in World War II. By 1942, Japan had occupied almost the whole of
Southeast Asia. This was a large territory for the Japanese to control and
manage effectively. Japans limited resources were therefore overstretched. It
struggled to manage and defend the newly occupied territories while still having
to fight the war in China and against the Allies in Southeast Asia. Through the
use of the island hopping strategy, the Allies successfully recapture key
islands like Iwo Jima and Okinawa. They also scored decisive victories over the
Japanese in battles such as the Battle of the Philippine Sea. These battles 3-6
Level 2
inflicted heavy damage on the Japanese, dealt a deadly blow to Japanese marks
morale and weakened their ability to continue defending the empire effectively.

OR/ AND

Allied victory in Europe led to Japans defeat in World War II. The
Japanese had relied on the continued success of Hitlers armies in Europe to
distract the Allies. When the USA formally entered the war, it agreed with
Britain that they should defeat Germany first. By 1945, the Allies had defeated
Germany. Japan was now alone in facing the Allied powers. This made the
Allies even more determined to secure a complete victory and demand for an
unconditional surrender from Japan. It was clear that the defeat of Japan was
inevitable.

EXPLAINS REASONS
[Award 7-9 marks for one explained reason and 10-12 marks for two explained
reasons.]
Example

Ineffective defence of overextended Japanese empire led to Japans

defeat in World War II. By 1942, Japan had occupied almost the whole of
Southeast Asia. This was a large territory for the Japanese to control and
manage effectively. Japans limited resources were therefore overstretched. It
struggled to manage and defend the newly occupied territories while still having 7-12
Level 3
to fight the war in China and against the Allies in Southeast Asia. Through the marks
use of the island hopping strategy, the Allies successfully recapture key
islands like Iwo Jima and Okinawa. They also scored decisive victories over the
Japanese in battles such as the Battle of the Philippine Sea. These battles
inflicted heavy damage on the Japanese, dealt a deadly blow to Japanese
morale and weakened their ability to continue defending the empire effectively.
Thus, because of Japans ineffectiveness in defending an overstretched
empire, it struggled to keep up with the war effort. The Allies could therefore
fight back and recapture some of the territories. This caused Japanese defeat
to be unavoidable as they could not endure the long-drawn war with the Allies.
 15

Hence, Ineffective defence of overextended Japanese empire led to

Japans defeat in World War II.

OR/ AND

Allied victory in Europe led to Japans defeat in World War II. The
Japanese had relied on the continued success of Hitlers armies in Europe to
distract the Allies. When the USA formally entered the war, it agreed with
Britain that they should defeat Germany first. By 1945, the Allies had defeated
Germany. Japan was now alone in facing the Allied powers. This made the
Allies even more determined to secure a complete victory and demand for an
unconditional surrender from Japan. It was clear that the defeat of Japan was
inevitable. Thus, Germanys defeat deprived Japan of its major partner in the
war. This also allowed the Allies to focus their planning and resources on
defeating Japan in the Asia Pacific. Japans fate was therefore sealed as it had
to stand alone and was no match for the Allies. This eventually led to its defeat
in August 1945. Hence, Allied victory in Europe led to Japans defeat in
World War II.
 16

3 This question is on development of the Cold War in Europe.

(a) What were the agreements made at the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences in 1945? [8]

DESCRIBES THE YALTA AND POTSDAM CONFERENCES

[Award 1m for one detail and an additional mark for any further details.]
Example
1-2
Level 1 (Answers which describe the event without focus on the question)
marks
The Yalta Conference was held at Yalta in Southern Ukraine while the
Potsdam Conference was held at Potsdam in Germany.

IDENTIFIES OR DESCRIBES THE AGREEMENT MADE AT THE YALTA OR

POTSDAM CONFERENCE
[ - Award 3 marks for each identified aspect up to a maximum of 5 marks OR
- Award 4 marks for one described aspect and an additional mark for further
details]
Example

At Yalta, the arrangements for post-war Europe was decided and the final
strategies to end the war was made. Stalin, President Roosevelt and
Churchill agreed that Germany was to be divided into four zones of occupation.
Britain, France, the USA and the Soviet Union would each administer one
zone. The capital of Berlin would also be divided into zones of occupation.
Countries liberated from German occupation were to hold free elections to
3-5
Level 2 choose their own government. The Soviet Union would also help the USA in
marks
the Asia-Pacific war against Japan in return for Soviet occupation of North
Korea and Manchuria.
OR

At Potsdam, an agreement on how to deal with post-war Germany as well

as the post-war World order was made. Germany was to be demilitarised
and all Nazi influence removed. Germany was to be administered by an Allied
Control Council, comprising the Soviet Union, the USA, Britain and France,
until the formation of a new Germany that would no longer threaten the peace
of Europe. The Polish Provisional Government at National Unity was to be
recognised, and free elections to be held in Poland as soon as possible.

DESCRIBES THE AGREEMENTS MADE AT THE YALTA AND POTSDAM

CONFERENCES
[Award 6 marks for describing two forms of crises and an additional mark for
the depth of supporting information up to a maximum of 8 marks]
Example

At Yalta, the arrangements for post-war Europe was decided and the final
strategies to end the war was made. Stalin, President Roosevelt and
Churchill agreed that Germany was to be divided into four zones of occupation.
Britain, France, the USA and the Soviet Union would each administer one 6-8
Level 3
zone. The capital of Berlin would also be divided into zones of occupation. marks
Countries liberated from German occupation were to hold free elections to
choose their own government. The Soviet Union would also help the USA in
the Asia-Pacific war against Japan in return for Soviet occupation of North
Korea and Manchuria.
AND

At Potsdam, an agreement on how to deal with post-war Germany as well

as the post-war World order was made. Germany was to be demilitarised
and all Nazi influence removed. Germany was to be administered by an Allied
 17

Control Council, comprising the Soviet Union, the USA, Britain and France,
until the formation of a new Germany that would no longer threaten the peace
of Europe. The Polish Provisional Government at National Unity was to be
recognised, and free elections to be held in Poland as soon as possible.
 18

(b) Explain how each of the following factors led to the Cold War in Europe:

(i) ideological conflict between the USA and the Soviet Union,

(ii) end of wartime alliance between the superpowers. [12]

WRITES ABOUT THE COLD WAR IN EUROPE WITHOUT FOCUS ON

QUESTION
[Award 1m for one detail and an additional mark for any further details.]
Example
1-2
Level 1
After the end of World War II, the world entered a period known as the Cold marks
War era, involving the USA and the Soviet Union, the two superpowers that
emerged after the war. The superpowers became involved in several conflicts
in Europe, and late in other parts of the world such as Asia and Latin America.

DESCRIBES FACTORS
[Award 3 marks for describing one factor and 5 marks for describing 2 factors
up to a maximum of 6 marks.
Example

One factor that led to the Cold War in Europe was the ideological conflict
between the USA and the Soviet Union. Ideological conflict between the USA
and the Soviet Union had been present long before World War II. Tensions
between the two countries became evidence after the Russian Revolution in
1917. Russia became communist, and embraced a vision that conflicted with
Western Europe and the USAs democratic and capitalist ideology. The
Western European democratic countries were concerned that the communists
would spread their ideas to their countries, and incite similar revolutions there.
Such a fear prompted them to provide military and other forms of aid to the
Russian anti-communist forces during the Russian Civil War. These
interventions were perceived by Lenin, the communist leader of Russia, to be
attempts by the Western democratic countries to undermine the survival of
Russia as well as communism. In turn, he founded the Communist International
(or Comintern) in March 1919. It was an international communist organisation
which aimed for the creation of an international Soviet republic by all available
means, including an armed forces. After winning the Russian Civil War, the
communists officially formed Soviet Union in 1922. The USA was reluctant to
3-6
Level 2 recognise the Soviet Union as a nation until 1933, because of its communist
marks
ideology.
OR/ AND

Another factor that led to the Cold War in Europe was the end of wartime
alliance between the superpowers. The removal of their common enemy,
Germany, meant that there was no further need for the USA and the Soviet
Union to remain allies after World War II. Each sought to strengthen its own
political and economic influence in Europe. American economic and security
needs, as well as a desire to support the post-war economic reconstruction and
political self-determination of Europe, clashed with the security needs and
ideological beliefs of the Soviet Union. The USA feared that the Soviet Union
would stir up communist movements and establish communist governments in
Europe. This could result in the USA losing its sphere of influence and trading
markets, and the possibility of having to conduct relations with a continent that
opposed its own political and economic ideals. The Soviet Union, on the other
hand, refused to allow a capitalist Europe to encircle it and threaten its own
security and survival.
 19

EXPLAINS FACTORS
[Award 7-9 marks for one explained reason and 10-12 marks for two explained
reasons.]
Example

One factor that led to the Cold War in Europe was the ideological conflict
between the USA and the Soviet Union. Ideological conflict between the USA
and the Soviet Union had been present long before World War II. Tensions
between the two countries became evident after the Russian Revolution in
1917. Russia became communist, and embraced a vision that conflicted with
Western Europe and the USAs democratic and capitalist ideology. The
Western European democratic countries were concerned that the communists
would spread their ideas to their countries, and incite similar revolutions there.
Such a fear prompted them to provide military and other forms of aid to the
Russian anti-communist forces during the Russian Civil War. These
interventions were perceived by Lenin, the communist leader of Russia, to be
attempts by the Western democratic countries to undermine the survival of
Russia as well as communism. In turn, he founded the Communist International
(or Comintern) in March 1919. It was an international communist organisation
which aimed for the creation of an international Soviet republic by all available
means, including an armed forces. After winning the Russian Civil War, the
communists officially formed Soviet Union in 1922. The USA was reluctant to
recognise the Soviet Union as a nation until 1933, because of its communist
ideology. Thus, both ideologies were complete opposites of each other. Both
USSR and USA believed that their system was the better one. The desire to
establish the superiority of their ideology meant that both sides were keen to
spread their influence. As a result, both sides were not willing to make
compromises as they wanted their ideology to emerge as the dominant force in
7-12
Level 3 the world. This fundamental difference caused the antagonism and tensions
marks
between the two superpowers which led to the outbreak of Cold War. Hence,
the ideological conflict between the USA and the Soviet Union was one
factor that led to the Cold War in Europe.

OR/ AND

Another factor that led to the Cold War in Europe was the end of wartime
alliance between the superpowers. The removal of their common enemy,
Germany, meant that there was no further need for the USA and the Soviet
Union to remain allies after World War II. Each sought to strengthen its own
political and economic influence in Europe. American economic and security
needs, as well as a desire to support the post-war economic reconstruction and
political self-determination of Europe, clashed with the security needs and
ideological beliefs of the Soviet Union. The USA feared that the Soviet Union
would stir up communist movements and establish communist governments in
Europe. This could result in the USA losing its sphere of influence and trading
markets, and the possibility of having to conduct relations with a continent that
opposed its own political and economic ideals. The Soviet Union, on the other
hand, refused to allow a capitalist Europe to encircle it and threaten its own
security and survival. Thus, the alliance between USSR and USA, which
allowed the two powers to cooperate, was only meant to be temporary. After
the defeat of Germany, there was no longer a shared common interest and
relations between USA and USSR returned to pre-war levels where suspicion
and mistrust was normal. The breakdown of war time alliances worsened
relations between the two blocs and heightened tension and suspicion, thereby
leading to the Cold War. Hence, the end of wartime alliance between the
superpowers was another factor that led to the Cold War in Europe.