CGS 2026 H(E) QP+MS

1 This document consists of 6 printed pages, including the cover page. [Turn over Class: Register No: Name: CRESCENT GIRLS’ SCHOOL SECONDARY FOUR PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2026 HUMANITIES (HISTORY) Paper 2 Additional Materials: Answer Paper 2261/02 24 August 2026 1 hour 50 minutes READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write your name, register number and class in the spaces provided at the top of this page and on all separate sheets of paper used. Write in dark blue or black pen. You may use a soft pencil for any rough working. Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid. Section A Answer all parts of Question 1. Section B Answer two questions. Write all answers on the writing paper provided. Start each question on a fresh sheet of paper. At the end of the examination, fasten Section A and Section B SEPARATELY. The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.

2 Section A (Source-Based Case Study) Question 1 is compulsory 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. Why was this source published in 1948? Explain your answer. [5] (b) Study Sources B and C. How similar are the sources about the Berlin Blockade? Explain your answer. [6] (c) Study Source D. Are you surprised by this source? Explain your answer. [5] (d) Study Sources E and F. How far does Source E prove Source F wrong about the Soviet Union’s role in the Berlin Blockade? Explain your answer. [6] (e) Study all the sources. ‘The West was responsible for triggering the Berlin Blockade.’ How far do these sources support this view? Use the sources and your knowledge to explain your answer. [8]

3 Turn Over The Berlin Blockade BACKGROUND INFORMATION Read this carefully. It may help you answer some of the questions. The Berlin Blockade was a major event during the early Cold War that lasted from 1948 to 1949. On 24 June 1948, the Soviet Union blocked all roads, rail, and canal routes into West Berlin in an attempt to force the Western Allies to leave the city. In response, on 26 June 1948, the United States, Britain, and their allies organized the Berlin Airlift, flying in food, fuel, and other essential supplies to the people of West Berlin. After nearly a year, the Soviet Union ended the blockade. The crisis increased tensions between the East and the West and became an important symbol of the Cold War. Study the sources to find out if the Berlin Blockade was caused by the West. Source A: Adapted from a newspaper article published in East Germany, 1948. By creating the Trizone, the governments of the United States, Britain and France have abandoned the principle of a united Germany and broken the agreements reached in 1945. Under the leadership of the United States, West Germany is being transformed into an instrument of American imperialism and capitalist expansion in Europe. The Western powers have chosen confrontation instead of cooperation and have encouraged the division of Germany for their own political interests. By pursuing these policies, they have destroyed the political unity of Germany and endangered peace in Europe. Faced with these provocations and violations, the Soviet Union is forced to take firm measures to prevent the worsening of the situation.

4 Source B: Adapted from President Truman’s memoirs, 1965. During the Berlin Blockade, we refused to be forced out of Berlin . The blockade was more than an attempt to cut off supplies; it was a deliberate effort by the Soviet Union to bring West Berlin under communist control and expand its influence in Europe. By isolating the city, the Soviets wanted to starve the Berliners into submission and weaken American resolve. The Berlin Airlift proved that this strategy would fail. Every aircraft carrying food, fuel and medicine demonstrated our determination to defend the freedom of the people of Berlin without resorting to war. Our actions reassured the citizens of West Berlin that they would not be abandoned and showed Western Europe that the United States would stand firmly against communist expansion. In my view, the Soviet blockade ultimately strengthened Western unity and the policy of containment. Source C: A German cartoon published in the US zone of Berlin, 17 July 1948. The caption reads, “Fear not! We shall feed it so many strongly worded notes that it will no longer have any appetite for you.”

5 Turn Over Source D: Adapted from a diary entry of Christian Seaford, a resident of West Berlin, written during the Berlin Blockade. One pound of coffee costs two thousand marks, and even then, there is little to buy. One cigarette costs thirty marks and they are very hard to find. The Americans insisted that their new currency will save the city, yet it was them who provoked the Soviets. Many believe they should have reached an agreement instead of forcing these changes upon Berlin. Now, the endless stream of aircraft overhead has become part of daily life. They bring food, coal and hope, but they are also a constant reminder that our city has become the battleground of two great powers. We can only wonder how long this will continue and whether Berlin will ever know peace again. Source E: Adapted from a book written by a historian about the Cold War, 1992. Western economic reforms in Germany heightened Soviet fears about the future balance of power in Europe. Nevertheless, the Berlin Blockade resulted from Stalin’s own decision to confront the Western powers. He wanted to force the West to abandon West Berlin and demonstrate the superiority of the communist system over Western democracy. Indeed, the Soviet security concerns after the Second World War were understandable. But the blockade was a political choice intended to openly humiliate Britain, France and the United States rather than an unavoidable response to Western policies. Source F: Adapted from a speech by Marshal Sokolovsky, the Soviet Military Governor of Berlin, 18 June 1948. By rebuilding the western zones of Germany under their control, the Western powers are creating a separate German state that may once again become a source of aggression. From 1941 to 1945, t he Soviet Union suffered greatly from German militarism and cannot permit the revival of forces that once brought destruction to Europe. Despite Soviet efforts to preserve cooperation among the occupying powers, the Western powers have chosen a course that endangers peace and threatens Soviet security interests. In these circumstances, the Soviet Union must take the necessary measures to safeguard its security and protect the future of Germany and Europe.

6 Section B: Essays Answer two questions. 2 “The Nazi Party’s manipulation of public opinion was the main reason for the Nazi Party’s rise to power.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10] 3 “The weaknesses of the civilian government was the main reason for the rise of militarism in Japan .” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10] 4 “The mistakes made by the Axis Powers was the main reason for the end of World War II.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10] End of Paper