External Assessment
PAPER 2
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Weighting: 25%
Total Marks: 40
Route 2: 20th Century World History
 Topic 1: Causes, Practices, and Effects of War
 Topic 3: Origins and Development of Authoritarian States
 Topic 5: The Cold War
For Route 2 topics, when the word “region” is used in a question, it refers to one of the four
regional options defined by the world map in the introduction to 20 th century world history
topics. Some comparative questions require that examples be drawn from more than one
region.
The paper consists of five sections, each covering one topic. There are six extended-response
questions on each topic. The structure in each section is:
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Three questions on named people, themes, topics, or events that are listed in the
syllabus
Two open-ended questions
At least one question addressing social, economic, or gender issues
Of these:

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At least one question will be set that demands material from two regions in route 2.
This will be indicated either by named examples or by demanding two unnamed
examples
Any one of the questions may be a comparative question or based on a quotation
When questions of a more general and open-ended nature are also set, students are free to
use any relevant material to illustrate and support their arguments.
Students must answer two questions, each selected from a different topic. The paper is
marked using generic mark bands and a paper-specific analytic mark scheme.
Tips for success:
 Chronology is important! Make a special note of any time frame mentioned in the
question.
 These questions deal with material in ONLY the twentieth century; so, focus on issues in
the 1900s and beyond.
 Make sure you give notice to BOTH sides of an argument – especially in questions that say
“to what extent” or “analyze”.
 These questions are based on regional studies – make sure your examples come from two
different regions when asked!
Example Paper 2 Questions
Topic 1 Causes, practices and effects of war
1. Examine the part played by each of the following in the outbreak of the First World War:
alliances; mobilization; Balkan nationalism.
2. With reference to specific examples, account for the adoption of guerrilla warfare and
assess its effectiveness.
3. In what ways, and with what success, did post-war peacemakers attempt to deal with the
problems which produced the conflict? Specific reference should be made to two peace
settlements.
4. Compare and contrast the reasons for, and impact of, foreign involvement in two of the
following: Russian Civil War; Spanish Civil War; Korean War.
5. Examine the reasons for, and the contribution of, guerrilla warfare to the outcome of one
twentieth-century war.
6. “Ideological differences were the most important reasons for both the outbreak of, and
outside intervention in, civil wars.” Assess the validity of this claim with reference to one
of the following: the Russian Civil War; the Chinese Civil War.
7. Analyse the economic and social results on the civilian population of one twentiethcentury war.
8. Compare and contrast the reasons for Germany’s involvement in the First and Second
World Wars.
9. Define the term “limited war”. With reference to two wars, each chosen from a different region,
explain why they remained limited.
10. To what extent did foreign involvement affect the outcome of either the Spanish Civil War, or the
Vietnam War?
Topic 3 Origins and Development of Authoritarian States
1. Analyze the methods used by one single-party ruler to establish totalitarian control.
2. “In the twentieth century, the rise of authoritarian and single party leaders was
mainly due to their use of force.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
3. “Unpopular governments and their overthrow were responsible for the formation of
the majority of twenthieth century single-party states.” To what extent do you agree
with this assertion?
4. Discuss (a) the support for, and (b) the ideology of one left wing ruler of a single
party state.
5. Analyze the circumstances that helped one right-wing leader to become the ruler of
a single party state.
6. Analyze the rise to power of either Hitler or Lenin.
7. Compare and contrast the regime of one right wing and one left wing single part
state.
8. To what extent was one single party ruler successful in achieving his aims?
9. For what reasons, and with what results, did rulers of single party states both
support and censor the arts?
10. In 1924, Hitler wrote, “The masses of the population are more affected by rhetoric
than by any other force. All great movements are popular movements.” To what
extent do you agree with this assertion?
Topic 5 The Cold War
1. “The breakdown of East-West relations was due to the failure of both sides to appreciate
the fears of the other.” With reference to the period 1945–53, to what extent do you
agree with this statement?
2. How effective was the United States policy of containment up to 1962?
3. For what reasons, and with what results for East-West relations, did the superpowers
become involved in the affairs of one of the following: Korea; Vietnam; the Middle East?
4. To what extent was the collapse of communist regimes the result of domestic problems
rather than external pressures?
5. Compare and contrast the role of education and the arts in one communist and one noncommunist state.
6. Analyse the responsibility of the USA and the USSR for the outbreak and development of
the Cold War, up to 1949.
7. Compare and contrast the economic policies and military alliances of the USSR and USA
after 1947.
8. To what extent was the movement for non-alignment a development of the Cold War?
9. In what ways, and for what reasons, did the Vietnam War affect superpower relations?
10. Assess the importance of economic issues in ending the Cold War.