November 2019
Discuss the impact of guerrilla warfare on the outcome of two 20th century wars.
“Territorial changes were the most significant challenge to successful peacemaking.” Discuss with reference to the effects of two 20th century wars.
May 2019
“Foreign powers did not determine the outcome of civil wars.” Discuss with reference to two civil wars, each from a different region.
With reference to two 20th-century wars, each from a different region, compare and contrast the effects of war on the role and status of women.
November 2018
Discuss the importance of technological developments to the outcome of two 20th-century wars, each from a different region.
“Territorial changes were the most significant consequence of war.” Discuss with reference to two wars.
May 2018
Examine the long- and short-term causes of one 20th-century war.
With reference to one 20th-century war, compare and contrast the political repercussions for two countries.
November 2017
Evaluate the impact of the mobilization of human and economic resources upon the outcome of one 20th-century war.
Evaluate the impact of two 20th-century wars on the role and status of women.
May 2017
“The influence of foreign powers determined the outcome of 20th century civil wars.” Discuss with reference to two wars.
“The effects of war on the role and status of women were mostly beneficial.” Discuss with reference to two wars.
Previous Examination Questions
1. To what extent has any twentieth-century war changed the role of women?
TS – In Britain, the First World War changed the role of women socially, politically and economically because of the need for ‘total war’. This conflict would gradually change the mindset for the role of women in society.
Total War required the full population and resources of the country to be successful. This included women, especially to become part of the workforce, in the UK and other countries.
Suffragettes in the UK, such as Emmeline Pankhurst, abandoned their protest for suffrage and became part of the war effort. The government promised to give women the vote after the war, achieving this in 1920.
However, change was a gradual process after the war. The government had to find employment for the men who had fought in the war so the need for women in factories was no longer as great as it was.
2. Explain the impact of war on two of the following: women, the arts, the media.
TS – In Britain, the First World War changed the role of women socially, politically and economically because of the need for ‘total war’. It also had an impact on the arts, the surrealist movement began and literature changed in that it was no longer so nationalistic (as it was before the war) and became more critical of the political decision-makers.
The people remained deferential in a class society even if the literature began to change.
3. Assess the importance of nationalism and selfish ambition as causes of twentieth-century wars. Reference must be made to at least two wars.
TS – German nationalism was one of the causes of the First World War although it was much more of a factor in causing the Second World War. The fallout from the first conflict increased German nationalism in the 1920s and 1930s. The economic conditions of time brought an aggressive political party to power, determined to reverse the defeat of the First World War.
4. Account for either the defeat of the Central Powers in the First World War or the Axis powers in the Second World War.
TS – The Axis Powers lost the Second World War because of an overly ambitious strategy and a political ideology that did not allow for sufficient allies.
TS – The Central Powers lost the First World War because they lacked the human and material resources of the Allies and were unable to break the British naval blockade.
5. Evaluate the contribution made towards the war effort by civilians on both the home front and the battlefront in two wars, each chosen from a different region.
TS – In Britain, the First World War was a ‘total war’. Men and women were made part of the war effort, either to fight or support their nation economically or socially.
6. Compare and contrast the reasons for, and impact of, foreign involvement in two of the following: Russian Civil War; Spanish Civil War; Chinese Civil War.
TS – Foreign powers opted to take part in both the Spanish and Chinese civil wars to change the balance of power in the respective regions. However, The Chinese Civil War was different in that both sides had support from the foreign powers, in Spain, there was only help for the Nationalists.
7. Peace settlements create conditions for new conflicts. With reference to at least two settlements explain to what extent you agree with this statement.
TS – The treaties of St. Germain and Versailles punished Austria and Germany respectively for their contribution to starting the First World War. These punishments led to resentment of the countries which imposed them, and therefore nationalism, but it was the severe economic downturn in the early 1930s which led to civil disobedience, extreme nationalist governments gaining power, and consequently, war.
8. Account for either the defeat of the Central Powers in the First World War or the Axis powers in the Second World War.
TS – The Axis Powers in the Second World War were defeated because they overextended themselves, fighting too many enemies, and were unable to gain the support of sufficient allies.
9. Discuss the role of technology in the outcome of two C20th wars, each chosen from a different region
TS – Technology proved a decisive factor in the Spanish Civil War, with Germany and Italy supplying aircraft and tanks for the nationalists. Furthermore, once the People’s Red Army had access to conventional heavy weapons, they were able to defeat the Guomindang in 1948 and 49.
10. Evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of the combatants in one C20th war.
TS – The nationalist’s strengths outweighed those of their rivals during the Spanish Civil War. The aid and expertise from their foreign allies, Italy and Germany, were more significant than the Republican key strength of urban support. It also allowed them to overcome their lack of support amongst the masses, the foreign powers providing resources to maintain the war. Conversely, Soviet help for the Republicans became a weakness, the weapons were generally poor quality and their strength of popular support became increasingly moot because they were often outgunned.
11. Compare the role of air and naval power in two C20th wars, each chosen from a different region.
TS – Naval power, especially with aircraft carriers, decided the east Asia theatre during the Second World War. Moreover, airpower was instrumental in the Nationalists winning the Spanish Civil War.
12. Discuss the reasons for the defeat of superior forces in two C20th wars, each chosen from a different region.
TS – The Guomindang was superior in numbers and resources in 1945 but ultimately lost the Chinese Civil War. Similarly, the Wehrmacht was the stronger power after May 1940 during the Second World War. Both made strategic errors which led to their defeat, the nationalists believing the US would always send aid regardless of their actions, and the Germans were unwilling to take on allies in the former Soviet Union because of their racial ideology.
13. Evaluate the role of ideology as a cause of one C20th war.
TS – The Kaiser’s belief that Germany should have its place in the sun led to the government pursuing an imperialist policy. In time, this became a factor in driving a wedge between Britain and Germany, the two most powerful European nations in the early 20th century, and eventually war.
14. Compare and contrast the tactics of combatants in two C20th war.
Evaluate the impact of foreign powers on two C20th wars, each chosen from a different region.
15. “Economic factors contributed most to the outbreak of war.” With reference to one C20th war, to what extent do you agree with this statement?
16. Compare and contrast the extent of total war achieved in two C20th wars, each chosen from a different region.
17. Compare and contrast the economic and social impact of two C20th wars, each chosen from a different region.
18. “Warfare had a positive impact on the role and status of women.” With reference to one C20th war, to what extent do you agree with this statement?
19. Evaluate the political effects of one C20th war.
20. Examine the success and failures in peacemaking in two C20th wars, each chosen from a different region.
21. Evaluate the reasons for success in one C20th war by a guerrilla army.
22. What impact did civil wars have upon society? Make reference to two civil wars, each chosen from a different region.
23. Discuss the significance of two major battles to the outcome of one C20th war.
24. Compare and contrast the use of naval power in two C20th wars, each chosen from a different region.
25. Evaluate the role of terror in establishing the rule of the CCP between 1949 and 1953.
26. To what extent was the role of propaganda used to consolidate and maintain one authoritarian state.