2003 Test: Paper II

Topic 1: Causes, practices and effects of war

1. What were the most frequent causes of twentieth century wars? Specific evidence from at least three wars should be used.

2. In what ways, and to what extent, was the Second World War “total war”?

3. How and why did technological developments play an important part in twentieth century wars?

4. Analyze the causes and the results of one of the following: Chinese Civil War (1945-1949); Mexican Revolution (1910-1940); Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).

5. War causes more suffering to women than to men.”

“War liberates women.”

Using evidence from at least two wars explain which statement you consider is more appropriate.

Topic 3: The rise and rule of single party states

1. “In order to achieve and retain power a leader of a single-party state needed to be ruthless, blind to human suffering, and yet charismatic.” To what extent do you agree with this assertion?

2. Account for the rise to power of one of the following: Castro; Mussolini; Nasser.

3. Compare and contrast the economic and social policies of Mao and Stalin.

4. In what ways, and for what reasons, did the aims and policies of two or more right wing rulers of single party states differ?

5. Examine the role of education and/or the arts in two single party states, each chosen from a different region.

Topic 5: The Cold War

1. How, and to what extent, did the conferences at Yalta and Potsdam (1945) contributed to the origin of the Cold War?

2. “Although it began in Europe the spread of the Cold War to other regions was a much more dangerous development.” To what extent do you agree with this judgment?

3. How and why did the policies of either the USA or the USSR affect superpower rivalry between 1950 and 1970?

4. In what ways were gender and social issues affected by the Cold War?

5. Assess the importance of détente and internal opposition to Communist rule in Communist countries, in ending the Cold War.

2004 Test: Paper II

Topic 1: Causes, practices and effects of war

1. In what ways did the causes of the Second World War differ from the causes of the First World War?

2. Evaluate the importance of naval warfare in twentieth century wars. Specific examples must be given from at least two wars.

3. Why were there so many Arab-Israeli wars between 1948 and 1978?

4. Analyze the results of two wars, each chosen from a different region.

5. Assess the social and economic effects of one war on two of the countries involved, in the ten years following the end of the war.

Topic 3: The rise and rule of single party states

1. Analyze the methods used by one single party state ruler in his successful bid for power.

2. Evaluate the importance of ideology in the policies of two of the following rulers of single party states: Castro; Hitler; Lenin; Nyerere.

3. Compare and contrast the foreign policies of two rulers of single party states, each chosen from a different region.

4. In what ways, and to what extent, did either Nasser or Peron improve social and economic conditions?

5. Examine the global impact of one ruler of a single party state.

Topic 5: The Cold War

1. To what extent did events in the final year of the Second World War turn wartime allies into Cold War enemies?

2. Compare and contrast the policies of the USA and the USSR towards Korea between 1945 and 1955.

3. Assess the impact of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan on the development of the Cold War between 1945 and 1961.

4. In what ways, and to what extent, did the Cold War become less confrontational after 1970?

5. Assess the importance of social and economic issues in causing opposition to communist regimes.

Specimen Test: Paper III

1. Why, and with what results for the French monarchy did Louis XVI summon the States General in 1789?

2. How far is it true to say that Napoleon I was an enlightened despot?

3. In what ways was the Congress System important for Europe?

4. Account for the outbreak of revolution in any two European countries in 1848.

5. “Cavour was the most important and the most successful of the exponents [promoters] of Italian unification.” How far do you agree with this assertion?

6. Compare and contrast the foreign and colonial policies (excluding Ireland) of Disraeli and Gladstone.

7. Assess the relative importance of the Zollverein and Bismarck’s policies in bringing about the unification of Germany.

8. Define the Eastern Question and assess its importance for Europe in the second half of the nineteenth century.

9. Why was Alexander II called the Tsar Liberator?

10. Examine the effects of the spread of railways in nineteenth century Europe.

11. Assess the effects of two of the following on any one nineteenth century European country: the extension of the franchise; scientific discoveries; urbanization.

12. In what ways did France benefit from the rule of Napoleon III?

13. Examine the impact on both countries of the union of Norway and Sweden between 1814 and 1905.

14. Why were there two revolutions in Russia in 1917?

15. How and why did the First World War bring about social and economic changes in any one European country?

16. What were the main criticisms of the League of Nations and to what extent were they justified?

17. How far is it true to say that the Weimar Republic was a complete failure?

18. Compare and contrast the domestic policies of Hitler and Mussolini up to 1939.

19. What were the main causes and results of the Spanish Civil War?

20. What do you understand by the term appeasement? How far was appeasement responsible for the outbreak of war in 1939?

21. Evaluate the domestic and foreign policies of Khrushchev.

22. Examine the impact of the Cold War on Western Europe between 1945 and 1965.

23. Compare and contrast the policies and importance to their countries of Adenauer and De Gaulle.

24. Analyze the main developments in education in any one European country in the twentieth century.

25. What were the main economic problems faced by the Soviet bloc (excluding the USSR) between 1950 and 1990?