Download EDEXCEL IGCSE History Revision Checklist

EDEXCEL IGCSE History Revision Checklist: Paper 1: Superpower Relations: 1945-1962
Use this revision checklist to help you keep track of all the topics you need to revise for your exam. You need to have a confident grasp of the subject knowledge
about each event. Try revising facts and key features about each event and recalling the key points and details on paper. Try to answer at least one exam
question for each event. When you feel confident enough, progress onto the next event.
Key
Question
1
Topics
Long-term
Rivalries
Differences
during the
Second
World War
What
were the
causes
of the
Cold
War?
You should be able to:




Describe the differences between Capitalism and
Communism.
Describe why Capitalist countries feared Communism.
Describe why actions during the War led to mistrust
between the Allies.
Describe why the USSR controlled Eastern Europe
immediately after WW2.
Yalta
Conference
Feb 1945




Describe the reasons why the conference was called.
Describe who represented each nation at the conference.
Describe what was agreed at the conference.
Describe how the conference effected relations between
the USA and USSR.
Potsdam
Conference
Jul-Aug
1945




Describe the reasons why the conference was called.
Describe who represented each nation at the conference.
Describe what was agreed at the conference.
Describe how the conference affected relations between
the USA and USSR.
The Long
Telegram
1946



Describe what the Telegram said about the USSR.
Describe what Novikov’s Telegram said about the USA.
Describe how the two telegrams increased tensions
between the Superpowers.
Describe what Churchill said in his speech.
Describe how Stalin reacted to the speech.
Describe how the speech affected relations between the
Superpowers.
Iron
Curtain
Speech
Mar 1946



Check
list


Exam Questions
C.) Why had the wartime alliance between the USA and the
Soviet Union broken down by the end of 1946? Explain
your answer (8 marks).
Check
list

B.) Describe one effect of the Yalta Conference on relations
between the USA and Soviet Union (4 marks).


C.) Why did relations between the USA and USSR change in
the period between the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences?
Explain your answer (8 marks).
B.) Describe one effect of the Potsdam Conference on
relations between the USA and Soviet Union (4 marks).
C.) Why did the USA and USSR disagree at the Potsdam
Conference in July 1945? Explain your answer.


C.) Why did Truman take a much tougher line with Stalin at
Potsdam than Roosevelt had at Yalta? Explain your answer
(8 marks).


B.) Describe one effect of Kennan’s Long Telegram on
relations between the USA and Soviet Union (4 marks).
B.) Describe one effect of Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech on
relations between the USA and Soviet Union (4 marks).
C.) Why did Churchill give his ‘Iron Curtain’ speech in March
1946? Explain your answer (8 marks).


Key
Question 2
How did the
Cold War
develop
1945-1949?
Topics
You should be able to:
The Truman
Doctrine
Mar 1947



The Marshall
Plan
Jun 1947



Creation of
Satellite
States
1947-1949
Describe the reasons for the Truman Doctrine.
Describe what the Doctrine stated.
Describe the effect of the Doctrine on Superpower
relations.
Describe why the USA launched the Marshall Plan.
Describe what the Plan hoped to do.
Describe the effect of the Plan on Superpower
Relations.


Describe what a satellite state is.
Describe how and why Stalin created satellite states
in Eastern Europe.

COMINFORM

Sep 1947
Describe why Stalin created COMINFORM.
Describe how COMINFORM strengthened Stalin’s
control of Eastern Europe.
Describe why Stalin created COMECON.
Describe how COMECON strengthened Stalin’s
control of Eastern Europe.
Describe the causes, events and effects of the Berlin
Blockade.
Describe how the Blockade effected Superpower
Relations.
Describe why NATO was created.
Describe what NATO was designed to do.
Describe how the creation of NATO effected
relations between the USA and USSR.
COMECON
Jan 1949


The Berlin

Blockade and
Airlift

1948-1949

NATO

Apr 1949

Checklist
Exam Questions
Checklist

C.) Why was the Truman Doctrine announced in
March 1947? Explain your answer (8 marks).


B.) Describe one effect of the Marshall Plan on
relations between the USA and Soviet Union (4
marks).


C.) Why did Stalin create Satellite States in
Eastern Europe in the years 1945-1949?
Explain your answer (8 marks).


C.) Why did the USSR establish COMINFORM
in September 1947? Explain your answer (8
marks).


C.) Why did Stalin launch COMECON in 1949?
Explain your answer (8 marks).


C.) Why was there a crisis over Berlin in the
years 1948-49? Explain your answer (8
marks).


C.) Why was the NATO alliance created in
April 1949? Explain your answer (8 marks).

Key
Question 3
Topics
You should be able to:


The Korean
War
1950-1953

The Arms Race 
How did the
Cold War
develop in
the 1950s?



Warsaw Pact
May 1955
Peaceful
Coexistence
and DeStalinisation
1956




The Hungarian
Uprising

1956
Key
Question 4
How serious
was the
Berlin Crisis?
Topics
Describe the causes, events and effects of the Korean War.
Describe the impact of the Korean War on Superpower
Relations.
Describe how the arms race started.
Describe how the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 increased the
arms race.
Describe why the Warsaw Pact was created
Describe who the members of the Pact were.
Describe the impact of the Pact on Superpower Relations.
Describe what peaceful co-existence means.
Describe what de-Stalinisation means.
Describe the impact of Khrushchev’s peaceful co-existence
policy on Superpower Relations.
Describe the causes, events and effects of the Hungarian
Crisis.
Describe the impact of the Hungarian Uprising on
Superpower Relations.
You should be able to:
The Berlin
Issue


Describe why there was a crisis in Berlin 1949-1960.
Describe what talks were held to solve the issue in 1959.
The U2
Incident
May 1960

Describe what happened during the U2 incident.

Describe how the U2 incident led to the Paris Summit walk-out
by Khrushchev.
The Paris
Summit
Conference
May 1960
Checklist
Exam Questions
Checklist

C.) Why was there a war over Korea
in the years 1950-1953? Explain
your answer (8 marks).


B.) Describe one effect of the Arms
Race on relations between the USA
and Soviet Union (4 marks).


C.) Why did the USSR establish the
Warsaw Pact in May 1955? Explain
your answer (8 marks).


C.) Why had Khrushchev’s Policy of
Peaceful Co-Existence ended by
1961? Explain your answer (8
marks).


C.) Why did Warsaw Pact troops
invade Hungary in November 1956?
Explain your answer (8 marks).

Checklist
Exam Questions
Checklist

C.) Why was there a crisis over Berlin
in the years 1949-1961? Explain your
answer (8 marks).


B.) Describe one effect of the U2
Incident on relations between the USA
and Soviet Union (4 marks).


C.) Why did Khrushchev walk out of
the Paris Summit in May 1960?
Explain your answer (8 marks).

Vienna
Summit
Conference
Jun 1961
Construction
of the Berlin
Wall
Aug 1961
Key
Question 5
Topics
The Cuban
Revolution
1959
How
serious was
the Cuban
Missile
Crisis?
Bay of Pigs
Invasion
Apr 1961





Key Events
of the Crisis
Oct 1962


Impact on
East-West
Relations


Describe what happened at the Vienna Conference.


Describe when, how and why the Berlin Wall was constructed.
Describe the impact of the construction of the Berlin Wall on
Superpower Relations.

B.) Describe one effect of the Vienna
Summit Conference on relations
between the USA and Soviet Union (4
marks).


C.) Why did the USSR build the Berlin
Wall in 1961? Explain your answer (8
marks).

You should be able to:
Checklist
Describe the causes, events and effects of the Cuban Revolution.

Describe why the USA launched the Bay of Pigs invasion.
Describe why the invasion failed.
Describe how the invasion strengthened relations between Cuba
and the USSR.
Describe why the USSR agreed to station missiles on Cuba.
Exam Questions
C.) Why did the USA decide to
launch the Bay of Pigs Invasion in
April 1961? Explain your answer
(8 marks).

Describe the key events of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Describe the deal that was made between Kennedy and
Khrushchev

Describe the impact and effects of the Cuban Missile Crisis on
Superpower Relations.

B.) Describe one effect of the Bay
of Pigs Invasion on relations
between the USA and Soviet
Union (4 marks).
C.) Why was there a crisis over
missiles in Cuba in 1962? Explain
your answer (8 marks).
B.) Describe one effect of the
Cuban Missile Crisis on relations
between the USA and Soviet
Union (4 marks).
Checklist




What is Communism and how is a communist nation organized both
economically and politically?
What is capitalism and how is a capitalist nation organized both
economically and politically?
Differences between communism
and capitalism
What were the long term reasons for American distrust of the Soviet
Union between 1917 and 1944?
What were the long term reasons for Russian distrust of the United
States between 1917 and 1944?
When, where and who met at each of the two conferences at Yalta and
Potsdam?
What did they agree upon and disagree upon at the Yalta Conference?
Potsdam and Yalta Conferences
What did they agree upon and disagree upon at the Potsdam Conferenc?
How did the relationship between the USA and the Soviet Union change
during and after the two conferences?
Describe both the Long Telegram and the Iron Curtain speech and explain
how they helped form the policy of containment.
What were Truman reasons for creating the Truman Doctrine and what
did it state?
Policy of Containment
What were Truman reasons for creating the Marshall Plan and what did
it state?
What was the long and short term results of the implementation of the
Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plans?
Why did Stalin want to control Eastern Europe and explain what is meant
by the term Buffer Zone.
Explain fully how Stalin was able put in place a puppet communist
government in Poland after World War Two?
Salami Tactics
Explain fully how Stalin was able put in place a puppet communist
government in Hungary after World War Two?
What were the objectives of both Cominfom and Comecon and explain
why they were created.
Describe the situation in Berlin before Stalin decided to put the blockade
in place, including explaining how it was divided.
What were the short term reasons behind Stalin’s decision to blockade
Berlin?
The Berlin Blockade
What was Operation Vittles and was it successful?
How did the Berlin blockade impact on relations between the USA and
the Soviet Union?
Why was the Warsaw Pact set up and what were its objectives?
Why was NATO set up and what were its objectives?
NATO and the Warsaw Pact
Name the important nations in both NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
What was the impact on American and Soviet Union relations after the
formation of the two alliances?
Explain how the Korean Peninsula had come to be divided along the 38th
Parallel and what were the names and leaders of each country?
What were the main causes of the outbreak of war in Korea and how did
the United Nations come to be involved?
The Korean War
Describe the main events of the Cold War and explain how each side
came to get the upper hand in the fighting.
What were the long and short term results of the Korean War for both
Korea and the relations between the USA and the Soviet Union?
Explain the different stages of the atomic and nuclear arms race and how
it threatened world peace.
Explain the race to put a satellite in orbit and why it was important for
both the USA and the Soviet Union.
The Arms and Space Races
What is Mutually Assured Destruction and how did it affect Cold War
relations?
Explain how both the Arms Race and the Space Race affects relations
between the USA and the Soviet Union.
What were the results of Khruschev becoming Soviet premier including
de-Stalinization and peaceful coexistence?
What were the reasons for the mass protests during the Hungarian
revolution in 1956?
The Hungarian Revolution
What were the main events of the revolution including the reaction of
Khruschev?
What were the results of the revolution for the Hungarian people,
Khruschev and for America-Soviet relations?
Why did Khruschev and Eisenhower agree to meet in Paris in 1960 and
what were their aims?
What happened during the U2 Spy plane incident and how it impact on
peace negotiations?
Failure of Peace Talks
What happened during the Vienna peace summit of 1961?
Why did Khruschev agree to put up the Berlin Wall and how did the
Americans respond to it?
What was the impact of the communist revolution in Cuba on America?
Describe the plan behind the Bay of Pigs invasion and why did Kennedy
agree to it?
The Cuban Revolution and America
What happened during the Bay of Pigs invasion and how did it affect the
American reputation globally?
What was Operation Mongoose and explain any of its successes or
failures?
Why was there a crisis over the island of Cuba in 1962 and what were the
options open to Kennedy?
Describe the 13 days of the crisis and the actions of both Kennedy and
Khruschev during this time.
The Cuban Missile Crisis
How was the crisis finally resolved and who, if anyone, could be
considered the winner?
What were the long term results of the crisis and how did it impact on
American-Soviet relations in the Cold War?
A10: Superpower Relations 1945-1962: Key Events
Knowing and understanding the key events from each topic is obviously essential. For
Section A topics like Superpower Relations, you need to be able to describe or explain the
causes, key features and consequences of each event. Make sure you study the following
list of key events as part of your revision:
#
1.) The Yalta Conference – February 4th-11th 1945
Who?
Causes
What happened?
Consequences
War situation
Stalin agreed to declare war on Japan
The talk of ‘democracy’ and ‘free
had changed:
Germany was
close to defeat.
USA led by
President
Roosevelt
UK led by
Prime
Minister
Winston
Discussions over
the post-war
world were
needed.
USA & UK
wanted USSR
to declare war
within three months of the defeat of
Germany.
Compromise over Poland. All agreed to form
a Polish government pledged to hold ‘free
elections’. Borders of Poland also changed
– USSR gained land from Eastern Poland
whilst Poland would gain land from East
Germany.
The ‘Declaration on Liberated Europe’.
USA, USSR & UK commit to work for
Churchill
on Japan.
democracy in Europe.
USSR led
Needed to
Allies agree to form the United Nations.
by Joseph
Stalin
agree a political
solution for
liberated
countries,
especially
Germany and
Poland.
Germany and Berlin to be divided into four
zones of occupation between Britain,
France, USA and USSR.
Big Three restate their agreement that the
USSR should have a ‘sphere of influence’ in
Eastern Europe.
elections’ was interpreted differently
by USA and USSR. American free
speech vs. Stalin’s idea that communism
represented the people so no opposition
allowed.
Yalta raised false expectations in the
USA that Stalin would allow westernstyle governments in Eastern Europe.
Stalin paid only lip service to idea of
‘free elections’ in Poland. In March, 16
leaders of the Polish resistance were
arrested by Stalin and never seen again.
Further talks over Poland achieved
nothing. USSR refused to allow prowestern Poles into new government.
Soviet troops had captured most of
Eastern Europe. Stalin’s demand for a
‘sphere of influence’ had to be taken
seriously.
2.) The Potsdam Conference – July 17th - Aug 2nd 1945
Who?
Causes
What happened?
A compromise was reached over war
USA
represented
by
President
Harry S.
Truman
reparations. Each ally would take
Nazi Germany was
reparations from the zone they
over. Hitler was
occupied. USSR was also given industrial
dead. The Allies
equipment from Western zones in
needed to decide
return for raw materials.
Europe. Both superpowers
Agreed to prosecute Nazi war
their half of Europe.
how to disarm and
punish Germany.
had to be reached
represented
by Prime
Minister
Winston
Churchill &
The conference ended
The war against
A political solution
UK
Consequences
over the liberated
countries. The
Western Allies
now occupied the
whole of western
Europe. The Soviet
criminals.
without agreement on what
would happen to the newly
liberated states across
were determined to keep
Truman’s attempt to assert
Statement of aims of the occupation of
his authority by declaring a
Germany by the Allies: demilitarisation,
‘powerful new weapon’ at the
denazification, democratisation,
conference only made Stalin
decentralisation and decartelisation.
more determined to protect
Details of the German-Polish border
were finally agreed.
the USSR. He saw this as a
threat from the USA. He
therefore wanted to create a
Red Army occupied
The communist dominated Polish
‘buffer zone’ in Eastern
the whole of
Provisional Government of National
Europe.
Clement
eastern Europe.
Unity was recognized by all three
Attlee
Roosevelt had
Prime
Minister
powers.
The USA and UK became
aware of their need to
died and Truman
Was confirmed that the Polish
confront communism in
was keen to meet
Provisional Government of National
Europe. Truman approved
USSR
Stalin. He wanted
Unity would hold ‘free and fair
Churchill’s 1946 ‘Iron Curtain’
represented
to be tougher with
elections’ as soon as possible.
speech, in which he said that
by Joseph
Stalin over issues
Stalin
like Poland.
The terms of the surrender of Japan
were agreed. Japan had to agree
unconditional surrender or face ‘prompt
and utter destruction’.
countries in the West were
free and countries in the East
were under communist control
behind an ‘Iron Curtain’.
3.) Churchill’s ‘Iron Curtain’ Speech – March 1946
Who?
Causes
What happened?
By 1946 it became
Former
UK
Prime
Minister
Winston
Churchill
who lost
power in
the
1945
general
election
clear that Europe
Churchill gave a speech in the
had been divided.
presence of President Truman at
From 1945-1948,
Westminster College, Fulton,
Stalin rigged
th
elections to establish
communist
governments in
Poland, Hungary,
Bulgaria, Romania,
East Germany &
Czechoslovakia.
Missouri on 5 March 1946:
‘From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste
in the Adriatic an "Iron Curtain" has
descended across the continent.
Behind that line lie all the capitals of
the ancient states of Central and
Eastern Europe. Warsaw, Berlin,
Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade,
The West
Bucharest and Sofia; all these famous
responded to this
cities and the populations around
division with a war
them lie in what I must call the
of words, designed
Soviet sphere, and all are subject, in
to portray Stalin as a
one form or another, not only to
power-hungry
Soviet influence but to a very high
dictator. Truman had
and in some cases increasing measure
even compared Stalin
of control from Moscow.’
to Hitler.
Consequences
The speech showed that both
sides now clearly viewed each
other as opponents. Stalin
responded by saying:
‘…Mr Churchill now adopts the
position of the warmonger, and in
this Mr Churchill is not alone. He
has friends not only in Britain but
in the USA as well. A point to be
noted in this respect is that Mr.
Churchill and his friends bear a
striking resemblance to Hitler
and his friends.’
This war of words led to both
sides initiating spying and
assessment reports on each
other to determine the thinking
of their opponents. This resulted
in the Long Telegram and
Novikov’s Telegram.
4.) The Long Telegram & Novikov’s Telegram – 1946
Who?
Causes
What happened?
Consequences
Kennan responded to Truman with a telegram on 22nd
The telegrams made
February 1946 that reported:
US
ambassador
to Moscow,
George F.
Kennan
Soviet
ambassador
to
Washington,
Nikolai
Novikov
Truman and
Stalin were
both keen to
understand

There could be no peace with the USSR while it
was opposed to capitalism.

intentions and
they both
facing the imminent
capitalism.
each other’s
threats so
feel that they were
The USSR perceived itself to be at war with

th
September that reported:
commissioned

reports to be
written by

America wanted to dominate the world.
The USA was no longer interested in cooperation.
embassy staff.

The American public was being prepared for war
with the USSR by ‘capitalist elites’.
possibility of war.
The USA now
believed that the
The USSR was rebuilding its military.
Novikov responded to Stalin with a telegram on 27
both governments
USSR was planning
world domination
whilst the USSR
believed the same
about the USA.
These fears led the
USA to form the
‘Truman Doctrine’.
5.) The Truman Doctrine – March 1947
Who?
Causes
George Kennan advised Truman
that the USA’s best hope was to
‘contain’ communism rather than
What happened?
The Truman Doctrine stated that:

fight it on the battlefield.
Much of Europe was devastated
after the war and communism was
President
Truman of
the USA
appealing. Truman was worried


neighbouring countries were next
in line to be threatened.
In Feb 1947 the UK announced it
could no longer afford to pay
for troops in Greece and Turkey.
The US feared communism would
spread to these countries.
because it suggested that
America had the responsibility
to protect the world, not the
democratic freedom.
UN which marked an end to
America had a responsibility to
USA’s traditional policy of
America would send troops and
money help governments against
communism.

The doctrine was significant
communist tyranny and
fight for liberty.
about the Domino Theory: if
communism took over one country,
The world had choice between
Consequences
Communism should not be
allowed to grow and spread and
should be ‘contained’.
Over the course of the Cold War,
the Truman doctrine provided arms
and money to defend Greece, Korea,
Cuba, Vietnam, Afghanistan and
South America.
‘isolationism’.
The doctrine assumed that
Capitalism and Communism were
incompatible = the unofficial
start of the Cold War.
Truman was now committed to
a policy of ‘containment’.
US military aid to Greece
meant that the communists
were defeated in the Greek
Civil War in 1949.
6.) The Marshall Plan – June 1947
Who?
Causes
Economic crisis in
Europe: food
shortages,
unemployment, food
rationing and
President
starvation. Communist
Truman of
party support was
the USA
growing, especially in
George C.
Marshall,
US
France and Italy
where riots broke
out.
Secretary
Truman knew that to
of State
weaken the
attraction of
communism, he
needed to rebuild and
encourage prosperity
in Europe.
What happened?
The USA decided to offer economic
aid to Europe, organised by US
Secretary of State General George
Marshall. Committed $13 billion
USD to rebuild the ruined
economies of Europe.
Countries had to agree free trade
agreements with the USA in order
to receive money. This would
benefit the American economy as
the US would provide the money
and goods needed to rebuild.
American money was made available
to eastern Europe and the USSR as
well. Stalin ordered Poland &
Czechoslovakia not to accept it.
Consequences
European leaders met at the Paris
Conference of 1948 to discuss Marshall
Aid. The USSR walked out of the
conference as they believed the US was
trying to split Europe into two camps.
Stalin claimed that Marshall Aid had
tricked western Europe into an economic
reliance on the US. Led to the creation of
Soviet rivals: COMINFORM and COMECON.
West European economies experienced an
economic boom and had returned to prewar levels of growth when the plan ended in
1952.
Divided Germany as the military governors
of western Germany agreed to accept
money. Divide in Europe was now
economic, not just ideological.
7.) Creation of COMINFORM – Sep 1947
Who?
Causes
Stalin was concerned
that eastern European
countries would be
tempted by the
Communist
Party General
Secretary
Joseph
Stalin
Marshall Plan. He wanted
to prevent this by forcing
Eastern European
countries to become
‘satellite states’,
controlled by the USSR.
Stalin wanted satellite
states on his European
borders to trade with,
and for military defence.
What happened?
Consequences
At an international conference, the USSR
created the Communist Information Bureau
(COMINFORM) which represented Communist
Parties across Europe and brought them under
the control and manipulation of the USSR.
COMINFORM encouraged Communist Parties
in Western Europe to organise demonstrations
and strikes in order to wreck the Marshall
Plan. 2 million workers went on strike in
France in 1947 calling for their government to
reject Marshall Aid.
COMINFORM was also used to stamp out
opposition and ensure the loyalty of Eastern
European governments. 5% of population was
imprisoned in Hungary by 1953.
COMINFORM organised
strikes in Western Europe
did not work as growing
prosperity weakened the
attraction of communism.
COMINFORM
strengthened Stalin’s hold
on Eastern Europe. He
could use COMINFORM to
investigate government
ministers and employees,
and remove or imprison
those who were not loyal.
8.) Creation of COMECON - Jan 1949
Who?
Causes
The failure of
COMINFORM to
destroy Marshall
Plan through political
Communist
Party
General
Secretary
Joseph
Stalin
opposition forced the
USSR to consider an
economic rival. Stalin
wanted to minimise
the influence of the
USA.
Stalin wanted to
prevent Eastern
Europe from
benefiting economical
from the West.
What happened?
Consequences
The Council for Mutual
Was not very successful as the Soviet
Economic Aid (COMECON)
was designed as a trading
organisation of communist
countries. Aims was to
economically develop Eastern
Europe and prevent trade
Union had little spare cash to inject
into the economies of Eastern Europe.
Meant that Eastern Europe did not
develop as fast as Western Europe.
The USSR used COMECON to help
with Western Europe.
rebuild itself first – not its satellite
USSR, Bulgaria,
encouraged COMECON members to
Czechoslovakia, Hungary,
Poland and Romania were all
members in first year.
Albania and Eastern
Germany joined in 1950.
states. The USSR eventually
specialise in different products.
Stalin’s wish of a sphere of influence
over Eastern Europe was now made
an economic reality.
9.) The Berlin Blockade and Airlift – June 1948
Who?
Causes
Stalin didn’t want a
divided Germany.
Germany’s main
Communist
Party
General
Secretary
of the
USSR,
Joseph
Stalin
US
President
Harry
Truman
economic resources
were in the west and he
wanted to prevent the
USA from having
further influence in
Germany. He feared
they were rebuilding
Germany as an ally
against the USSR.
He viewed the merging
of the Allied zones of
Germany in 1947, along
with the introduction of
the Deutschmark in
June 1948 as an
attempt to divide
Germany. He expected
the western powers to
make a humiliating
retreat.
What happened?
Consequences
Stalin set up a military blockade
around West Berlin on 23
rd
June
1948. He planned to cut western
Germany off from its capital: Berlin.
This would prove that a divided
Germany could not work.
All roads and railways to Berlin were
blocked by the Soviets. Stalin
assumed the West would give in as 2
million Berliner’s were starving.
Truman responded with the Berlin
Airlift. It was the first major test of
the Truman Doctrine. Allied planes
would supply West Berlin from the air.
The first flight was on the 26th and by
Sep, a US aircraft was leaving every 3
minutes. 70 large cargo planes airlifted
600-700 tonnes of food and supplies
every day. This increased to 1000
tonnes within weeks. At its height, the
airlift provided over 170,000 tonnes of
supplies, flying along 3 ‘air corridors’
during January 1949.
Stalin backed down on 12th May
1949. Stalin seemed like the
aggressor as the attack on Berlin
looked like the first step in a march
westwards. This was a propaganda
success for the USA.
Blockade seemed to prove to the West
that the USSR wanted to take over
Europe. This led to the creation of
the NATO alliance in April 1949 and
the creation of West Germany (FDR)
as an independent state in Sep 1949.
This in turn forced the USSR to
establish East Germany (GDR) as an
independent nation one month later.
Stalin ordered the speeding up of
atomic testing as he realised that
without an atomic bomb, he could not
win confrontations with the USA. The
USSR test their first atomic bomb in
1949, starting the arms race.
10.) Creation of NATO – April 1949
Who?
1949 – USA,
UK, Canada,
Iceland,
France,
Portugal,
Italy, Belgium,
Luxembourg,
Netherlands,
Denmark and
Norway. 1952
– Greece and
Turkey. 1955
– West
Germany.
1982 – Spain.
Causes
The Berlin
Blockade raised
the possibility of
war in Europe as it
was the first
military
confrontation of
the Cold War.
European
countries were
keen to establish
a military alliance
in order to ‘keep
the USA in, the
USSR out and the
Germans down.’
What happened?
The North Atlantic Treaty
Organisation (NATO) was
established as a military alliance
between the USA and Western
Europe. An attack on one member
would be considered as an attack
on all members.
It was in effect a military alliance
with the aim of defending the
West against communism. It
wasn’t just a promise either. Five
divisions of US troops were based
in Germany.
West Germany joined NATO in
1955, adding millions more troops.
Consequences
The creation of NATO significantly
heightened tensions in the Cold War. The
creation of NATO now added a clear
military divide to Europe.
The USSR felt threatened by the
creation of NATO and especially when
West German troops joined. The USSR
responded by creating the Warsaw Pact in
1955 which was a military alliance of
Eastern European countries.
The build-up of military alliances turned
into an arms race when the USSR tested
its own nuclear bomb in 1949. But
paradoxically, the threat of Mutually
Assured Destruction (MAD) prevented war
in Europe.
11.) The Korean War – June 1950 – July 1953
Who?
North Korea,
led by Kim Il
Sung
South Korea
led by
Syngman
Rhee
China led by
Mao Zedong
USA led by
President
Truman and
Dwight D.
Eisenhower
from 1953
US/UN
Forces led by
General
Douglas
MacArthur
Causes
Truman believed the
Russians were behind
the attack and it was
a test of his policy of
containment.
China had become
communists in 1949
providing further
proof that
containment was
What happened?
Korea was divided after the Second
World War. On 25th June 1950, North
Korea led by Kim Il Sung invaded the
South in an attempt to re-unite the
country by force.
in Korea. The Security Council approved
the use of force to defeat the
In Sep 1949 the USSR
In Sep 1950, US troops led by
atomic bomb. Truman
became convinced
that communism
wanted to take over
the world.
UN vote gave the USA
greater ‘legitimacy’ to
invade
in the world. Proved that
containment could work to prevent
the Domino Theory – would later
War led to rearmament
throughout the western world. The
Involvement of USSR and China
persuaded the US to increase
defence spending, up to 400% after
General Douglas MacArthur led a
successful counter-attack and by 1st
Oct, US troops had reached the 38
to containing communism anywhere
Vietnam.
Council to back the use of US troops
Northern invasion.
Demonstrated the US commitment
influence decision making in
Truman asked the UN Security
needed.
had developed an
Consequences
th
parallel. When MacArthur invaded
North Korea, the Chinese intervened,
pushing US led forces back to Seoul.
For the rest of the war, stalemate
ensued. Ceasefire was agreed on 27th
July 1953. Korea remained divided.
the war. Marshall Aid money also
was diverted to defence spending in
Western Europe.
Dangers of nuclear war, proposed
by General MacArthur scared the
world and put pressure on the
superpowers to negotiate. After
the death of Stalin in 1953, this led
to a thaw in relations.
12.) Creation of the Warsaw Pact – May 1955
Who?
Causes
What happened?
Consequences
The USSR responded to
NATO by creating the
USSR, Poland,
Czechoslovakia,
Romania,
Bulgaria,
Hungary,
Albania and
East Germany.
The formation of NATO in 1949
Warsaw Pact which was a
altered the balance of power in
military alliance of
Europe in the West’s favour.
Eastern European
Stalin needed his own rival alliance
countries. The countries
to ensure parity with the west.
agreed to respect each
The addition of West Germany
to NATO in 1955 along with over a
million extra German soldiers
other’s independence and
to defend each other in
the event of war.
accelerated the need for the
Unlike NATO, the Warsaw
USSR to create a military alliance.
Pact countries were
strictly dominated by the
USSR.
The creation of a communist
military alliance cemented the
control of the USSR over Eastern
Europe.
It also contributed to the
increasing competition of the
arms race. The Warsaw Pact had
poor technology and relied on
conscription, therefore the USSR
focused on developing nuclear
weapons as a means of deterrence.
13.) The Hungarian Uprising – Feb-Nov 1956
Who?
Causes
Hungarians were dissatisfied
with Soviet rule. After 1949,
COMINFORM imposed an
oppressive regime on Hungary.
Hungarian land was given to other
countries, resources shipped to
Hungarian
Dictator
Matyas
Rakosi
Hungarian
Leader
Erno Gero
Hungarian
Leader
Imre Nagy
Hungarian
Leader
Janos
Kadar
USSR led
by Nikita
Khrushchev
Russia, political parties abolished
and Matyas Rakosi was appointed
dictator in Aug 1952.
Rakosi’s reign was harsh – he
used what he called ‘salami
tactics’ to deal with opposition
‘one slice at a time’. He
imprisoned over 387,000 people
and was responsible for over
2000 deaths.
The death of Stalin in 1953 led
to the end of ‘Stalinism’ and the
start of what Khrushchev called
‘peaceful co-existence’ with the
west. This was taken to mean
that Soviet rule was to be
relaxed in Hungary.
In June 1956, there were antiSoviet demonstrations in Poland.
Khrushchev agreed to allow
reforms there. This inspired
many Hungarians to demonstrate
and protest, hoping to gain
reforms in their country.
What happened?
Consequences
After Khrushchev’s ‘secret speech’
in Feb 1956, many students began
to riot in Budapest, attacking
Soviet troops with petrol bombs
and grenades. Police lost control
and protests erupted in other
cities. By the summer, Khrushchev
realised that Rakosi was
extremely unpopular & replaced
him with Erno Gero in July 1956.
This made little difference.
On 24th Oct, Khrushchev agreed
to calls for a more liberal leader
and appointed Imre Nagy. He
proposed leaving the Warsaw Pact,
making Hungary a democracy with
free election, communism should
end and Hungary should ask the UN
for help against the USSR.
Khrushchev worried that to allow
this greater freedom and let
Hungary leave the Warsaw Pact
would mean the end to Soviet
control of Eastern Europe. He
responded by sending 200,000
Soviet troops and 2500 tanks into
Hungary to crush the government.
They reached Budapest on 4
th
Nov.
20,000 Hungarians were killed and
another 200,000 fled to Austria.
Nagy fled to the Yugoslavian
embassy but was arrested by
Soviet troops as soon as he left.
He was accused of treason by
Khrushchev and was hanged in
June 1958.
The west was accused of
‘abandoning’ the Hungarians.
The USA had encouraged the
uprising but didn’t want to risk
nuclear war. May have actually
improved relations as USSR had
seen the USA as having no
desire to interfere in its sphere
of influence.
The lack of military help from
the USA discouraged other
radicals in Eastern Europe from
rising up. In that sense,
Khrushchev’s show of force
worked to strengthen his
control on Eastern Europe.
Janos Kadar was appointed as
the new Hungarian leader who
called for: re-establishing
communist control and remaining
in the Warsaw Pact.
14.) The Berlin Crisis & U2 Incident – 1958-1961
Who?
Causes
What happened?
Consequences
In Nov 1958, Khrushchev issued an
Khrushchev was
ultimatum giving Western Powers six months
deeply concerned
to withdraw from Berlin. Eisenhower was
by the growing
unsure how to respond but agreed to hold
refugee problem.
talks on the issue.
Between 1949 and
1961, 2.7 million
East Germans
USSR led
escaped to West
by Nikita
Germany through
Khrushchev
Berlin. Many were
USA led by
highly skilled.
President
Khrushchev also
Truman
believed that West
and Dwight
Berlin was being
D.
used by the West
Eisenhower
as a base for
from 1953
spying and
sabotage.
The post-war
recovery of West
Berlin seemed to
remind people of
from escaping to the West,
ending the refugee crisis. Allowed
the communists to consolidate
their hold over East Germany.
Further talks are held in Geneva (May
1959) and at Camp David (Sep 1959) but
both talks fail to achieve anything. Further
talks are scheduled for 1960.
On 1st May 1960, an American U2 spy
plane is shot down over USSR. Khrushchev
used this to expose the USA’s spying
programme at the UN.
The Paris Summit on 16th May 1960 breaks
down as Khrushchev walks out. Eisenhower
refuses to punish the leaders of the U2
programme.
At the Vienna Conference on 4
The wall stopped East Germans
Allowed Khrushchev to avoid war
with USA whilst appearing strong.
Was propaganda victory for the
USA as USSR had to ‘wall people in’
to make sure they didn’t run away
from communism. Kennedy took
advantage of this by touring West
Berlin in 1963, saying in a speech:
“All free men, wherever they live,
are citizens of Berlin and
therefore as a free man, I take
pride in the words Ich bin ein
Berliner.”
th
June 1961,
Khrushchev challenges Kennedy to withdraw
US troops from Berlin within 6 months or
to declare war. Kennedy refuses.
the benefits of
On morning of 13th Aug 1961, Berliner’s
capitalism. This
awake to find that a fence had been
worried Khrushchev.
erected around the whole of West Berlin. It
was eventually reinforced.
86 Germans would die over the
next 30 years in trying to cross the
wall.
Led to a period of calm in Europe
as both sides accepted there was
no immediate prospect of change so
tension went down.
15.) The Cuban Missile Crisis – October 1962
Who?
Causes
What happened?
Consequences
In August 1961, Khrushchev agreed to defend
Long-term
The continuing arms race
forced both sides to find
Cuba by stationing Russian nuclear missiles in Cuba.
On 25th September 1962, Khrushchev sent 114
ships to Cuba carrying nuclear warheads and long
range missiles.
ways in which to gain
military supremacy. The
14th Oct – American U2 spy plane spots a nuclear
launch of Sputnik 1 in
site under construction in Cuba.
1957 had intensified the
arms race. In early 1962,
the US placed nuclear
16th Oct – Kennedy was shown the photographs
proving the missiles were on Cuba. The ExComm
committee is established and he spends 6 days
missiles in Turkey. The
secretly discussing how to respond.
USSR decided to retaliate
by placing missiles in Cuba.
This would allow the USSR
to undermine American
20th Oct – Kennedy ignores pressure from ‘hawks’ and
decides to impose a naval blockade around Cuba to
prevent further missiles reaching Cuba.
nuclear superiority without
having to develop
expensive inter-continental
USA led by
President
Kennedy
USSR led
by Nikita
Krushchev
Cuba led by
Fidel
Castro
ballistic missiles.
22
pro-US Batista
Khrushchev to recall his ships on route to Cuba. He
promised to destroy any ships that passed the
‘quarantine line’.
23rd Oct – Khrushchev states that Soviet ships will
break though the blockade.
government in Cuba with
a communist government
led by Fidel Castro in
1959 intensified fears of
24th Oct – Khrushchev issues a statement saying the
USSR is prepared to respond with nuclear weapons if
the USA goes to war.
communist expansion in
Latin America. Cuba was
only 90 miles from Florida.
Castro nationalised US
– Kennedy gives a public address officially
declaring the blockade with 100 ships and calls on
Short-term
The overthrow of the
nd
25
th
Oct – Kennedy writes a letter to Khrushchev
asking him to withdraw missiles from Cuba. Both
armies told to prepare for war. Tension at highest
point.
property in Cuba and the
USA banned the import
26 Oct – Khrushchev’s first offer: he ignores calls
of Cuban sugar – their
for a nuclear war and responds, saying in a letter he
main export. This forced
will withdraw the missiles in return for a US
Cuba to turn to the USSR
guarantee not to invade Cuba.
for help. The USSR now
gave economic aid to Cuba.
th
27th Oct – Khrushchev’s second offer: he sends a
second letter now demanding that the US withdraws
The failed Bay of Pigs
its missiles from Turkey in return for the removal
invasion of Cuba in April
of Cuban missiles. Kennedy ignores this letter but
1961 by the CIA left
agrees to the first letter. Robert Kennedy then
Castro fearing another US
meets with Soviet ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin. He
invasion. He asked
agrees to Russian demands to withdraw missiles from
Khrushchev for military
Turkey but insists the deal must be kept secret.
help.
28th Oct – Khrushchev agrees to the secret deal
and orders all ‘cargoes’ to return to the USSR.
Short-Term
Kennedy and the USA appeared
victorious as Khrushchev was seen
by the world as the one to
publically back down. This
propaganda defeat contributed to
Khrushchev resigning in 1964.
Kennedy had agreed to pull US
missiles out of Turkey. In reality,
the event did end in compromise.
European allies of the US were
shocked at how little they were
consulted throughout the crisis.
French leader Charles de Gaulle
pulls France out of NATO in
response. NATO is weakened.
The Chinese were not impressed
with the performance of the
USSR so began to pursue a more
independent foreign policy. World
communism was also weakened.
This led to the creation of a
‘hotline’ in June 1963 between
Washington and Moscow in order
to avoid future
‘misunderstandings’.
The Limited Test Ban Treaty
was agreed in August 1963. Both
sides agreed to ban nuclear
testing in space, in the sea and
above ground.
Long-term
Both sides recognised the dangers
of direct conflict. The USA and
USSR began to search for
meaningful ‘peaceful co-existence’
as they realised how close they
came to nuclear war. This led to a
policy called ‘détente’ – a
relaxing of tension in the Cold
War which dominated superpower
relations in the 1970s.
A10: Superpower Relations 1945-1962: Exam
Questions
The following exam questions are taken from the 2011 and 2012 exams as well as some rewritten questions from previous years’ exams. Refer to the marking criteria and grade
boundaries at the bottom of this document to mark your work. Good luck!
Exam Questions – Question A (3 marks) – Write these events in the
correct chronological sequence:
1. The beginning of peaceful co-existence, The Cuban Missile Crisis, The Setting up of
the Federal Republic of Germany, The Marshall Plan, The ‘Iron Curtain’ speech
2. The beginning of the Korean War, The Truman Doctrine, The Setting up of the
Warsaw Pact, The Berlin Blockade, The Potsdam Conference
3. The Hungarian Uprising, The setting-up the Warsaw Pact, The building of the Berlin
Wall, The Marshall Plan, The setting-up of NATO
4. The Yalta Conference, The Bay of Pigs Invasion, The Berlin Blockade, The Setting up
of the Warsaw Pact, The beginning of Peaceful Co-Existence.
5. Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech, The building of the Berlin Wall, The Creation of the
Federal Republic of Germany (FDR), The Cuban Missile Crisis, The Hungarian Crisis
6. The creation of COMECON, The start of the Korean War, U2 Incident, The building
of the Berlin Wall, The Potsdam Conference
7. The Hungarian Uprising, The Potsdam Conference, The Berlin Blockade, The Yalta
Conference, The Truman Doctrine
8. The Marshall Plan, The Hungarian Crisis, The Death of Stalin, The U2 Incident,
Novikov’s Telegram.
9. Creation of the Federal Republic of Germany (FDR), Creation of COMINFORM, The
Setting up of the Warsaw Pact, Kennan’s Long Telegram, Bay of Pigs Invasion.
10. Cuban Missile Crisis, creation of COMECON, The setting-up of NATO, Novikov’s
Telegram, The Building of the Berlin Wall.
11. The Berlin Blockade, Death of Stalin, The Hungarian Crisis, the Federal Republic of
Germany (FDR) joining NATO, The Cuban Missile Crisis.
12. The Berlin Blockade, The Potsdam Conference, The Hungarian Uprising, The Truman
Doctrine, The Yalta Conference.
13. The U2 Incident, The Hungarian Uprising, The Potsdam Conference, The Marshall Plan,
The Korean War
Exam Questions – Question B (4 marks / Consequence)
1. Choose either The Cuban Missile Crisis or The Marshall Plan. Describe one effect on
the relations between the USA and the Soviet Union of the event you have chosen.
2. Choose either The Truman Doctrine or The Berlin Blockade. Describe one effect on
the relations between the USA and the Soviet Union of the event you have chosen.
3. Choose either the Building of the Berlin Wall or The setting-up of NATO. Describe
one effect on the relations between the USA and the Soviet Union of the event you
have chosen.
4. Choose either the Warsaw Pact or Khruschev’s policy of Peaceful Co-existence.
Describe one effect that it had on relations between East and West. (2007
Foundation)
5. Choose either the creation of the Federal Republic of Germany (FDR) or Churchill’s
‘Iron Curtain’ Speech. Describe one effect on the relation between the USA and the
Soviet Union of the event you have chosen.
6. Choose either the Korean War or the U2 incident. Describe one effect on the
relation between the USA and the Soviet Union of the event you have chosen.
7. Choose either the Yalta Conference or the Potsdam Conference. Describe one effect
on the relation between the USA and the Soviet Union of the event you have chosen.
8. Choose either the Hungarian Crisis or the Bay of Pigs Invasion. Describe one effect
on the relation between the USA and the Soviet Union of the event you have chosen.
9. Choose either the creation of COMINFORM or Kennan’s Long Telegram. Describe
one effect on the relation between the USA and the Soviet Union of the event you
have chosen.
10. Choose either the creation of COMECON or Novikov’s Telegram. Describe one
effect on the relation between the USA and the Soviet Union of the event you have
chosen.
11. Choose either the Death of Stalin or the Federal Republic of Germany (FDR) joining
NATO. Describe one effect on the relation between the USA and the Soviet Union of
the event you have chosen.
12. Choose either the U2 incident or The Potsdam Conference. Describe one effect on
relations between the USA and the Soviet Union of the event you have chosen.
13. Choose either the U2 incident or The Arms Race. Describe one effect on relations
between the USA and the Soviet Union of the event you have chosen.
Exam Questions – Question C (8 marks / Causation)
1. Why was there a crisis over Berlin in the years 1948-1949? Explain your answer.
2. Why did the USSR build the Berlin Wall in 1961? Explain your answer.
3. Why had the USA and the Soviet Union become rivals by 1947? Explain your answer.
4. Why did Warsaw Pact troops invade Hungary in November 1956? Explain your answer.
5. Why was the Truman Doctrine announced in March 1947? Explain your answer.
6. Why had the wartime alliance between the USA and the Soviet Union broken down by
the end of 1946? Explain your answer.
7. Why was the Marshall Plan created in June 1947? Explain your answer.
8. Why was there a crisis over missiles in Cuba in 1962? Explain your answer.
9. Why was there a war over Korea in the years 1950-1953? Explain your answer.
10. Why was the NATO alliance created in April 1949? Explain your answer.
11. Why did the USSR establish the Warsaw Pact in May 1955? Explain your answer.
12. Why did the USSR establish COMINFORM in September 1947? Explain your answer.
13. Why did Stalin launch COMECON in 1949? Explain your answer.
14. Why had Germany become divided by 1949? Explain your answer.
15. Why did the USA and USSR disagree at the Potsdam Conference in July 1945? Explain
your answer.
16. Why did the Wartime Allies decide to meet at Yalta in February 1945? Explain your
answer.
17. Why did the USA decide to launch the Bay of Pigs invasion in April 1961? Explain your
answer.
18. Why did Churchill give his ‘Iron Curtain’ speech in March 1946? Explain your answer.
19. Why had Khruschev’s Policy of Peaceful Co-Existence ended by 1961? Explain your
answer.
20. Why did Khruschev walk out of the Paris Summit in May 1960? Explain your answer.
21. Why did Truman take a much tougher line with Stalin at Potsdam than Roosevelt had
at Yalta? Explain your answer.
22. Why did Khrushchev adopt the policy of ‘peaceful co-existence’? Explain your answer.
23. Why had differences between the Allies appeared by the Potsdam Conference in July
1945? Explain your answer.
24. Why did relations between the USA and the USSR change in the period between the
Yalta and Potsdam Conferences? Explain your answer.
Exam Questions – Question D (10 marks / Cause, Effect or Change)
1. Use the source and your own knowledge, to explain why relations between the
USA and the Soviet Union changed in the years 1955-1961.
“In 1955, the Soviet Union set up the Warsaw Pact to strengthen its control of Eastern
Europe. In the following year, Soviet forces crushed the Hungarian Uprising. The U2 Crisis
and the construction of the Berlin Wall worsened relations between the USA and the Soviet
Union.” Source: from a modern textbook.
2. Use the source and your own knowledge, to explain why the Soviet Union invaded
Hungary in 1956.
“In June 1956, a group within the Hungarian Communist Party opposed Rakosi. The Soviet
Union allowed a new government to be formed under Imre Nagy. Nagy introduced a series of
reforms including free elections and private ownership of farmland.” Source: from a modern
textbook.
3. Use the source, and your own knowledge, to explain why there was a crisis over
missiles in Cuba in 1962.
“On 14 October 1962 a US spy plane took photographs which showed Soviet missile bases
being built in Cuba. This meant that all US missile defence systems were now useless. From
16 October Kennedy spent one week asking his defence chiefs for possible reactions and
considering alternatives.” Source: from a modern textbook.
4. Use the source, and your own knowledge, to explain how the Cold War developed
in the years 1949-1953.
“Tension between the West and the Soviet Union continued to increase throughout the
Berlin Airlift. The hopes that Germany would be re-united began to disappear and in 1949
the Federal Republic of Germany was created from the British, French and US zones. Later
that year, the Soviet Union created the German Democratic Republic from its zone.” Source:
from a modern textbook.
5. Use the source, and your own knowledge, to explain how the Cuban Missile Crisis
was ended peacefully.
“At first in the Cuban Missile Crisis neither Kennedy nor Khrushchev would back down.
Kennedy set up the naval blockade and Khrushchev ordered Soviet ships to continue supplying
Cuba. On 24th October, some Soviet ships turned away from Cuba and some slowed down. The
two leaders exchanged letters and Kennedy agreed to Khrushchev’s suggestions.” Source:
from a modern textbook
6. Use the source and your own knowledge to explain why the Berlin Wall was built in
1961.
“Kruschev thought he would be able to force the Allies out of West Berlin. He knew the
limits to which President Eisenhower would go. Khruschev knew that he had to stop the flow
of refugees. West Berlin remained a loophole in the Iron Curtain. The 1948 crisis had made
it clear that the Western powers were not going to leave West Berlin of their own free will.
Following the election of the inexperienced John F. Kennedy, Khrushchev felt very confident
that he could solve the problem of Berlin once and for all.” Source: from a modern textbook
7. Use the source and your own knowledge to explain how the creation of NATO
changed relations between East and West.
“The Berlin Blockade had serious consequences for international relations. The West decided
that Stalin was not going to co-operate and so Truman took the decision that the USA would
have to keep forces in Europe on a permanent basis. In 1949, NATO (the North Atlantic
Treaty Organisation) was set up. It was a sign that relations between the Superpowers were
now so bad that some form of military alliance was necessary.” Source: from a modern
textbook
8. Use the source and your own knowledge to explain how Stalin tried to force the
Allies out of West Berlin in the years 1948-1949.
“Stalin had wanted to deal with West Berlin for some time. He did not like the fact that it
gave the West access to Europe beyond the Iron Curtain. It also gave the people of the East
an idea of what life was like in the West. As Marshall Aid began to reach Europe, life in the
West seemed more and more attractive. Stalin decided to try to force the Western Allies
out.” Source: from a modern textbook
9. Use the source and your own knowledge to explain why Stalin was forced to end
the blockade of West Berlin in May 1949.
“In June 1948, the western allies decided that they had to respond to Stalin’s actions. They
agreed that West Berlin had to be saved at all costs. So began the Berlin Airlift, which
lasted more than fourteen months, until September 1949, four months after the blockade
ended. Everything that the people of West Berlin needed had to be brought in by plane.”
Source: from a modern textbook.
10. Use the source and your own knowledge to explain the changes to relations
between the USA and the Soviet Union brought about by the Berlin Blockade of
1948-49?
“The Berlin Blockade was a propaganda success for the Americans and a failure for the
Soviet Union. In May 1949, Stalin called off the blockade. In September 1949, West
Germany was officially created as an independent state, followed one month later by East
Germany. In addition, the USA set up the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.” Source:
from a modern textbook.
11. Use the source and your own knowledge to explain why there was a war in Korea
from 1950-53.
“America’s first response to the invasion of South Korea was to rush military supplies to
South Korea. Then, on 27th June the United States proposed a resolution in the United
Nations calling for military action against North Korea. The resolution was passed and three
days later Truman ordered American troops into Korea.” Source: from a modern textbook.
12. Use the source and your own knowledge to explain the effects of the Cuban
Missile Crisis of 1962.
“After the Cuban Missile Crisis, Kennedy worked with Khrushchev to set up a hot line. This
would allow the Kremlin and the White House to be in direct contact. The aim of the hotline
was to ensure that the two leaders could discuss their differences and therefore avoid war.”
Source: from a modern textbook.
A10: Superpower Relations 1945-1962:
Mark Scheme
A rough estimation of the grade boundaries would mean that students would need to achieve the
following mark for each of the four units: A* = 21/25, A = 18/25, B = 15/25, C = 12/25, D = 9/25, E =
7/25, F = 5/25, G = 3/25, U = 0+
(a) Target: Recall of Knowledge (AO1) - 3 marks
2 in correct sequence
3 in correct sequence
4/5 in correct sequence
1 mark
2 marks
3 marks
(b) Target: Consequence/Recall of knowledge (AO1) – 4 marks
Level
Descriptor
Simple or generalised statements of consequence – The
candidate makes statements which lack any supporting
Level 1
contextual knowledge or makes unsupported generalisations.
e.g. This was when the USA and other countries signed an
alliance.
Developed statements of consequence – The candidate supports
their statements with relevant contextual knowledge.
Level 2
e.g. Berlin wall worsened relations. USA annoyed, lack of
movement between East and West. Attempts to escape over wall.
Mar
k
1-2
3-4
(c) Target: Causation/Recall of Knowledge (A01) – 8 marks
Level
Descriptor
Simple or generalised statements of causation –
The candidate makes statements which lack any
Level 1
supporting contextual knowledge or makes
unsupported generalisations.
e.g. because of capitalism and communism.
Mark
1-2
1 mark for one
simple statement
2 marks for two or
more
3-5
Developed statements of causation – The
3 marks for one
candidate supports their statement with relevant
developed
Level 2
contextual knowledge.
statement
e.g. Differences at Yalta and Potsdam, ideological
4/5 marks for two
differences, attitude of Truman
or more
6-8
Developed explanation of causation – An
6/7 marks for two
explanation of more than one factor supported by
or more explained
selected knowledge. One explained factor should
factors
Level 3
be marked at the top of Level 2.
8 marks for
e.g. As Level 2. Shows how US use of atom bomb,
answers which show
Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan worsened
links between
relations.
factors
(d) Target: Recall of Knowledge/Comprehension of Source (AO1/AO2) – 10
marks
Level
Descriptor
Level 1
Simple or generalised statements using the
source supported by some own knowledge – The
candidate makes statements which lack any
supporting contextual knowledge or makes
unsupported generalisations.
e.g. because the Soviet Union had missiles on
Cuba.
Developed Statements using the source and
relevant own knowledge – The candidate supports
their statement with relevant contextual
Level 2
knowledge.
e.g. Krushchev and missiles, US spy plane and
missile sites, attitude of Kennedy
Mark
1-3
1 marks for one
simple statement
2/3 marks for two
or more
Max 3 marks for
only using the
source
4-7
4/5 marks for one
developed
statement
6/7 marks for two
or more
8-10
Developed explanation using the source and
8-9 marks for two
precise own knowledge – An explanation of more
or more explained
than one factor supported by selected knowledge.
factors
Level 3 One explained factor should be marked at the top
10 marks for
of Level 2.
answers which show
e.g. As Level 2 – Shows how Kennedy’s and
links between
Khrushchev’s policies v Cuba precipitated crisis
factors