NHHS 2025 H(E) QP

CANDIDATE NAME CENTRE CLASS INDEX NUMBER NUMBER HUMANITIES (HISTORY) 2261/02 Paper 2 The Making of the 20th Century Modern World, 1910s-1991 26 August 2025 1 hour 50 minutes 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 first cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. Section A Answer all questions. 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 6 printed pages and 0 blank pages. S 2 3 8 6 NAN HUA HIGH SCHOOL Preliminary Examination

2 NAN HUA HIGH SCHOOL 2261/02 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION Section A: Source-Based Case Study Question 1 is for all candidates. Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, and then 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 knowledge of the topic to help you interpret and evaluate the sources. 1 (a) Study Source A. What is the source implying about the Korean War ? Using your own knowledge and details from the source, explain your answer. [5] (b) Study Source B. How useful is this source about China’s entry into the Korean War ? Explain your answer. [6] (c) Study Source C. Why do you think Kim Il Sung made this speech? Explain your answer. [5] (d) Study Sources D and E. How far does Source D make you surprised by what Source E shows about the involvement of the US in the Korean War ? Explain your answer. [6] (e) Study all the sources. ‘The communist countries were responsible for increasing the tensions in Korea.’ How far do these sources support this view? Use the sources and your knowledge to explain your view. [8]

3 NAN HUA HIGH SCHOOL 2261/02 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION [Turn over] The Korean War BACKGROUND INFORMATION Read this carefully. It may help you answer some of the questions. The Korean War began on 25 June 1950, when North Korean forces, under the leadership of Kim Il Sung, crossed the 38 th Parallel and invaded South Korea. This aggressive action triggered a rapid international response and led to a three-year conflict that devastated the Korean Peninsula. North Korea’s invasion was a clear act of aggression, but it is debat able whether it was entirely a North Korean initiative or encouraged by Stalin and Mao Zedong. On the other hand, historians also identified that the US and its aggressive containment policies, including its support for Syngman Rhee, contributed significantly to the tensions that led to the war. Was the Korean War made possible because of the involvement of the other communist countries? Source A: A political cartoon published in the Washington Post in February 1951

4 NAN HUA HIGH SCHOOL 2261/02 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION Source B: A recount by an ex-military officer, who was also a member of the Chinese Communist Party, published in a Chinese government website. I deeply feel that the entry of the Chinese forces into Korea was a far -reaching, wise and timely decision. This safeguarded our core security interests and won us key advantage on the battlefield. For a long time, Western historians regarded the Korean War as a proxy war of the Soviet Union, accusing China of sending in troops to cater to Soviet military advancement. This ignores the historical fact that the US military insisted on crossing the 38th Parallel, posing a threat to China’s security. The Americans had forced the Chinese forces to enter North Korea. As pointed out by Zhou Enlai, “Half of China’s heavy industry is in the northeast and south of the country, all within the scope of enemy bombing threats. If the US imperialist hits the Yalu River, how can we ensure stability in our production?” Source C: A radio address by Kim Il Sung to the Korean people on 9 September 1950. The US imperialist invaders are implementing their long meditated predatory plan of conquering the Korean people by force of arms and intimidation, enslaving them and plunging them into poverty and starvation. The American gangsters can possibly destroy our towns, villages and industrial establishments, but they will not be able to deprive the Korean people of their liberty, independence and sovereignty. The Korean people will never forget these imperialist invaders’ atrocities against our country and people. To kneel before the colonial enslavers or to fight for independence, liberty and honour of their country, were the two options. All patriotic Koreans have chosen the latter course without hesitation. All the Korean people and the heroic People’s Army are fighting as one to liberate and win an ultimate victory over the US imperialist invaders.

5 NAN HUA HIGH SCHOOL 2261/02 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION [Turn over] Source D: A political cartoon published in 2010, illustrating the role of US in the Korean War Source E: A speech by President Truman on 11 April 1951, to the American people on the Korean War. It is right for us to be in Korea now. It was right last June. It is right today. The Communists in the Soviet Union are engaged in a monstrous conspiracy to stamp out freedom all over the world. If they were to succeed, the United States would be numbered among their principal victims. It must be clear to everyone that the United States cannot and will not sit idly by and await foreign conquest. This is a lesson that most people in this country would have learned thoroughly. This is the basic reason why we joined in creating the United Nations. And, since the end of World War II, we have been putting that lesson into practice – we have been working with other free nations to check the aggressive designs of the Soviet Union before they can result in a third world war. Source F: Khrushchev, the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, speaking about the origins of the Korean War in his memoirs, published in 1971. Kim came to Moscow when he had worked everything out. Stalin had his doubts. He was worried that the Americans would jump in, but we were inclined to think that if the war were fought swiftly – and Kim Il Sung was sure it could be won swiftly – then intervention by the USA could be avoided. I must stress it wasn’t Stalin’s idea, but Kim’s. Stalin, of course, didn’t try to dissuade him. Mao Zedong approved Kim’s suggestion an d put forward the opinion that the USA would not intervene since the war would be an internal matter which the Korean people would decide for themselves.

6 NAN HUA HIGH SCHOOL 2261/02 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION Section B: Essays Answer two questions. 2 ‘Hitler was able to remain in power in Nazi Germany because of the use of propaganda.’ How far do you agree with this statement? [10] 3 ‘The US ended its involvement in the Vietnam War because of the Tet Offensive.’ How far do you agree with this statement? [10] 4 ‘The Cold War came to an end because of Gorbachev’s econom ic reforms.’ How far do you agree with this statement? [10] - End of Paper - Acknowledgements Source A: © https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/herblock-gall