TJC 2024 JC2 H1 History Prelims QP

Temasek Junior College 2022 8838/01/S/2024 [Turn over TEMASEK JUNIOR COLLEGE JC2 Preliminary Examinations HIGHER 1 HISTORY 8838/01 The Cold War and the Modern World (1945–1991) 23 Aug 2024 3 Hours No Additional Materials are required. READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST An answer booklet will be provided with this question paper. You should follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. Section A Answer Question 1. Section B Answer two questions. The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question. This document consists of 5 printed pages and 3 blank pages.

2 Temasek Junior College 2024 8838/01/S/2024 [Turn over Section A You must answer Question 1. The End of the Cold War 1 Read the sources and answer the questions which follow. Source A Nuclear disarmament is to make strategic defence real for all the citizens of planet Earth. Let us speak of our deepest longing for the future: to leave our children a land that is free and just and a world at peace. It is my hope that our fireside summit in Geneva and Mr. Gorbachev’s upcoming visit to America can lead to a more stable relationship. Our differences with the Soviet system that openly proclaims and practices an alleged right to command people's lives and to export its ideology by force are deep and abiding. However, logic and history compel us to attempt to ease these tensions for the sake of humanity. Our negotiators in Geneva have proposed a radical cut in offensive forces by each side with no cheating. They have made clear that Soviet compliance with the letter and spirit of agreements is essential. If the Soviet Government wants an a greement that truly reduces nuclear arms, there will be such an agreement. From Ronald Reagan’s speech to Congress in 1986. Source B The fundamental reform of our economic and political systems would have been impossible without corresponding changes in Soviet foreign policy. As a first step, we had to alleviate the pressure from our involvement in conflicts all over the world and in th e debilitating arms race. We realised that it was vitally important to correct the distorted ideas we had about other nations which had negative effects on our country. We understood that in today’s world of mutual interdependence, progress is unthinkable for any society fenced off from the world by ideological barriers. We realised that we could not ensure our country’s security without reckoning with the interests of other countries, and that, in our nuclear age, you could not build a safe security system based solely on military means. This prompted us to propose an entirely new concept of global security. The proposal I made on 15 January 1986 to abolish nuclear weapons was met with mistrust. Only a few believed at the time that we would be able to make real progress on the road towards nuclear disarmament, put an end to the Cold War, and bridge the divide separating East from West. From Mikhail Gorbachev’s memoirs, published in 1995.

3 Temasek Junior College 2024 8838/01/S/2024 [Turn over Source C Confronted by a different kind of policy, Reagan felt that the Soviets would be forced to choose: either stand down from their continuing confrontation with the West, or face increasingly devastating pressures on the home front. Reagan noted that even if he had not majored in economics in college, it would have been plain to him that Communism was doo med as a failed economic system. According to Reagan, the situation was so bad that if Western countries got together and cut off credit to it, they could bring it to its knees. The Russians could never win the arms race, and the Americans could outspend them forever. From a book by an ex-advisor to Ronald Reagan, 1992. Source D This country was going nowhere, and we couldn't possibly live the way we did. We had to change everything radically, but to embark on reform of this calibre and in a society like ours was an extremely difficult and even risky undertaking. The process of renovating this country and bringing about drastic change in the international community has proven to be much more complicated than anyone could imagine. However, let us give its due to what has been done so far. This society has acquired f reedom. The totalitarian system, which prevented this country from becoming a prosperous and well-to-do country a long time ago, has been eliminated. Once again, I would like to stress that during this transitional period, I did everything that needed to be done. I’m aware that there is popular resentment because of today’s grave situation. I note that authority at all levels, and myself are being subje ct to harsh criticisms. I would like to stress once again, though, that the cardinal change in such a vast country, given its heritage, could not have been carried out without difficulties, shock and pain. Gorbachev’s Farewell Address to Soviet Citizens, 25 December 1991.

4 Temasek Junior College 2024 8838/01/S/2024 [Turn over Source E From a UK Newspaper, 1990. *The words on the lock read, ‘Soviet One Party System’ Now answer the following questions: (a) Compare and contrast Sources A and B as evidence of the USSR’s contributions towards easing tensions between the superpowers. [10] (b) How far do Sources A-E support the view that the Cold War ended primarily due to nuclear disarmament? [30]

5 Temasek Junior College 2024 8838/01/S/2024 [Turn over Section B You must answer two questions from this section. 2 How far do you agree that the transformation of Sino -Soviet relations was determined by security concerns from 1950 to 1991? [30] OR 3 “The USA’s relations with Japan remained unchanged over 1950 to 1991.” To what extent do you agree with this claim? [30] AND EITHER 4 “ASEAN’s response to the Cold War in Southeast Asia was characterised more by differences than unity.” How far do you agree with this view? [30] OR 5 How important was Soviet and Chinese support for North Vietnam in determining the changes in US foreign policy in the Second Indochina War? [30]

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