2025 RI H2 History Prelims (Paper 1)

© Raffles Institution 2025 1 RAFFLES INSTITUTION PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2025 General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Higher 2 HISTORY 9174/01 Paper 1 The Changing International Order (1945-2000) 16 September 2025 3 hours READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write your full name, class and index number on the answer booklet(s). Write in dark blue or black pen. Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid/tape. Section A Answer Question 1. Section B Answer two questions. Use only the answer booklet provided and use both sides of the paper. This document consists of 5 printed pages.

© Raffles Institution 2025 2 Section A You must answer Question 1. REVOLUTION IN POLAND IN THE 1980s 1 Read the sources and answer the questions which follow. Source A Solidarity was not only a trade union, but a mass opposition movement against communist totalitarianism, formed by anti- socialist circles to deepen the crisis in Poland and to undermine the basis of socialism in the country. It was a weakening of the (Soviet) leadership of the Party and the violation of its ties with the masses. The Solidarity movement was the full revelry of the counter-revolution caused by the subversive activities of imperialism and mistakes in domestic policy rather than by the shortcomings of the socialist system . It was a violation of the laws of socialist construction and a distortion of the principles of socialist democracy . This negative experience showed how it was important to strengthen the unity of the brother parties, to give a decisive rebuff to the anti-socialist forces, and to overcome imperialistic attacks, the machinations of American imperialism and the CIA. After the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan and international reaction to it, the situation in Poland must be treated as an internal Polish affair. We do not intend to send troops into Poland, even if Poland falls under the control of Solidarity. Soviet communist views of the Solidarity movement, 1989. Source B The Solidarity movement was an example of the effective struggle for freedom against communist power, inspired the traditional opposition movement to move away from its cultural and literary methods toward a more popular and active trend – creating independent trade-unions. (It was) proof of the possibility of mass revolution that could overthrow the communist regime. They had supported and defended Solidarity. The hostile activity of Solidarity was a powerful motion, a large force of the struggle for human rights, freedom and democracy against totalitarian power but for national liberation as well. There was no other nation in the totalitarian world as the Polish people who were so faithfully defending their human and national rights. Poland gives an example for Ukraine. The magic influence of Solidarity gave us a hope that it would weaken the links