2024 MSHS S4 Prelim Elective History

Class / Index Number / Centre Number/ ‘O’ Level Index Number / Name MARIS STELLA HIGH SCHOOL PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION SECONDARY FOUR HUMANITIES 2261/02 Paper 2: History (The making of the contemporary World Order, 1900s – 1991) 16 August 2024 1 hour 50 mins Additional Materials: Writing paper (5 sheets) INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES Section A: Answer all parts of Question 1. Section B: Start this section on a fresh piece of paper. Answer two questions. At the end of the examination, tie separately: ● Section A answer script ● Section B answer script The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question. The total number of marks for this paper is 50. For Examiner’s Use

2 This document consists of 6 printed pages inclusive of the cover page 50

3 Section A: Source-based Case Study Question 1 is compulsory for all candidates Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, and answer all the questions. You may use any of the sources to help you answer the questions, in addition to those sources you are told to use. In answering the questions you should use your kno wledge of the topic to help you interpret and evaluate the sources. 1 (a) Study Source A. What can you learn from this cartoon? Explain your answer. [5] (b) Study Source B. Why was this article published? Explain your answer. [5] (c) Study Sources C and D. How far does Source D prove that Source C is wrong? Explain your answer. [6] (d) Study Sources E and F. Does Source F make you feel surprised by what is shown in Source E? Explain your answer. [6] (e) Study all the sources. ‘The Soviet Union was to be blamed for the Berlin Blockade.’ How far do these sources support this statement? Explain your answer. [8] What led to the Berlin Blockade in 1948?

4 BACKGROUND INFORMATION Read this carefully. It may help you to answer some of the questions. At the Potsdam Conference from July to August 1945, the Allies and the Soviets agreed that Germany will be split into four zones. Berlin, which lies in Soviet zone, was also split into four zones. The Allies had agreed on a joint-decision making system to manage all the zones in Berlin. The US introduction of the Marshall Plan on 3 April 1948 was seen as an attempt to undermine Soviet influence. On 23 June 1948, without consulting with the Soviet side, Britain and America introduced a new currency into ‘Bi zonia’ and West Berlin. In retaliation, the Soviets carried out the Berlin Blockade on 24 June 1948, during which the Soviets cut the rail and road links from the Allied zones to West Berlin. What led to the Berlin Blockade in 1948? Source A: A Canadian cartoon titled ‘The Three Goldilocks and the Bear’ published at the start of the Berlin Blockade in June 1948. Canada was a US ally during the Cold War. Source B: An article published in an Italian newspaper on 11 July 1948. Italy was a recipient of the Marshall Plan. FR

5 The Cold War battle in Berlin is not merely about currency reform or control of the city. The Soviets aim to drive the Western Allies out, while the Allies are determined to stay. The stakes involve Germany's future. A united Western Europe, strong enough to resist external pressures, relies on Germany's cooperation. Conversely, Russia needs Germany to expand its influence. This conflict began at Potsdam. The West has been supplying food to millions of Germans, while the Soviets took industrial plants as reparations and promised German unity. They accuse the West of breaking the Potsdam Agreement and claim the four-power governance of Berlin is over. This is a critical test of strength. Withdrawal would leave Berliners vulnerable. The Germans' faith in the Allies depends on their resolve. Source C: Note from the Government of the United States to the Government of the Soviet Union on July 6, 1948. This was two weeks after the start of the Berlin Blockade by the Soviet Union on 24 June 1948. The Soviet Government blockade of Berlin is a serious issue and violates the agreements made by the four Allied powers. After Germany's defeat in World War II, we, along with the U.K., France, and the Soviet Union, agreed to control Berlin together and guaranteed free access to the city. The right of the United States to its position in Berlin thus stems from precisely the same source as the right of the Soviet Union. Restrictions imposed by the Soviet blockade prevents us from supplying food and medicine to 2.4 mill ion people in West Berlin, including many women and children. We insist on restoring transport to Berlin immediately and want to resolve any disagreements through peaceful talks, not threats. Source D: An American cartoon titled ‘Whose Move?’ published in an American newspaper, The New York Star, in June 1948 following the Soviet blockade of Berlin. Source E: Note from the Soviet Government to the Government of the United States on 14 July 1948. The Soviet government was replying to the earlier note sent by the

6 US Government on 6 July, 1948. The Soviet Government cannot agree with this statement of the Government of the United States which blames the situation in Berlin on us. We believe that the US, the UK and France caused the problem by breaking agreements about how to manage Germany and Berlin. These countries introduced their own currency in the western parts of Berlin and Germany, which split the country and disrupted plans to keep Germany peaceful. We had to take action to protect our zone from economic chaos. We argue that the U.S. presence in Berlin, based on agreements tied to overall German administration, was undermined by these one -sided actions. We stress that the economic measures we took in Berlin were protective responses to these violations. We call for talks about the whole of Germany, not just Berlin, without any conditions. Source F: An account by an American historian writing on the Berlin Blockade, published in 1984. Stalin did not lie in wait for three years until the time was right to launch his Berlin 'plan'; he acted within the context of the deepening cold war. In that context, the blockade appears more as one step in a long political struggle between two power blocs for influence than the pre - planned act of a master criminal. Section B: Essays Answer two questions.

7 2. ‘Hitler was able to come to power in 1933 due to the weaknesses in the Weimar Constitution.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10] 3. ‘It was the loss of public trust in the civilian government that led to military rule in Japan in the 1930s.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10] 4. ‘Gorbachev was responsible for the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.’ How far do you agree with the statement? Explain your answer. [10] END OF PAPER Copyright Acknowledgements: Source A: https://shorturl.at/SGGYz Source B: http://www.cvce.eu/obj/the_fight_for_germany_from_il_nuovo_corriere_della_sera Source C: http://www.cvce.eu/obj/note_from_the_united_states_to_the_soviet_union_6_july_1948-en-43598304-6e94-4a17-8e03- 62fc858d0794.html Source D: https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/photogra