Varndean School
OCR GCSE History
Paper 1 Past exam Questions
2004-2012
Marks given for each question
appear in brackets ( )
These are the questions that rely
on student’s own recall of detail
from the topics and do not include
the source based questions that
appear in Paper 1
Germany
a)
b)
c)
In what ways did Hitler and the Nazis change tactics following the Munich
Putsch? [4]
Explain why few people voted for the Nazis before 1930. [6]
‘The effects of the Depression were the main reason why Hitler became
Chancellor of Germany by 1933.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer. [10]
a)
b)
c)
Describe the different types of Nazi propaganda. [4]
Explain why Kristallnacht took place. [6]
‘Terror was the most effective method used by the Nazis to control the
German people.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your
answer. [10]
a)
Describe the events which led to Germany becoming the Weimar Republic.
[4]
Explain why Germany suffered from hyper-inflation in 1923. [6]
How far had Germany recovered from its problems by 1929? Explain your
answer. [10]
b)
c)
a)
b)
c)
Describe the role of women in Nazi Germany. [4]
Explain why young people joined the Hitler Youth. [6]
How successful were Nazi economic policies? Explain your answer. [10]
a)
b)
c)
What problems existed in Germany in the period 1919-1920? (4)
Explain why there was an economic crisis in Germany in 1923. (6)
How far did the Weimar Republic recover between 1924 and 1929? Explain
your answer. (10)
a)
b)
c)
What did the Nazis do to reduce unemployment? (4)
Explain the importance of women and the family to the Nazis. (6)
How successful were Nazi policies towards women and the family? Explain
your answer. (10)
a)
b)
Describe the main events of the Munich Putsch. (4)
Explain how Hitler was able to turn the failure of the Munich Putsch to his
advantage. (6)
The following were equally IMPORTANT REASONS why Hitler became
chancellor in January 1933. (10)
c)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
a)
b)
c)
The Great Depression.
Nazi Propaganda.
The actions of Von Papen and Hindenburg.
How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer referring
only to (i), (ii) and (iii).
How did the Enabling Act benefit Hitler? (4)
Explain why Hitler considered Rohm and the SA a threat. (6)
The following were all EQUALLY IMPORTANT reasons why there was little
opposition to Hitler and the Nazis in the 1930’s. (10)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
The Gestapo.
Nazi propaganda.
The reduction of unemployment.
How far do you agree with this statement?. Explain your answer referring
only to (i), (ii) and (iii).
a)
b)
c)
Describe the Kapp Putsch of 1920. (4)
Explain why 1923 was a year of crisis for the Weimar Republic. (6)
How successful was the Weimar Republic in dealing with Germany’s
problems? Explain your answer. (10)
a)
b)
c)
Describe how Hitler reduced unemployment. (4)
Explain why the Nazis persecuted different groups in German society. (6)
How successful was the Nazi party in controlling young people? Explain your
answer. (10)
a)
b)
c)
Describe the political problems in Germany in 1918 – 1920. (4)
Explain why Germany suffered from hyper-inflation in 1923. (6)
How far had the Weimar Republic recovered from its problems by 1928?
Explain your answer. (10)
a)
Describe what happened during, and immediately after, The Reichstag Fire in
1933. (4)
Explain why Hitler carried out the ‘Night of the Long Knives’ (1934). (6)
Popular support for Hitler was the most important reason why he became
Chancellor in 1933.’ How far do you agree with this view? Explain your
answer. (10)
b)
c)
a)
b)
c)
Describe the propaganda methods used by the Nazis. (4)
Explain why women were important in Hitler’s plans for Germany. (6)
How far did the Nazis achieve control in Germany between 1933 and 1945?
Explain your answer. (10)
a)
b)
c)
What was the main features of the Weimar Constitution? (4)
Explain why 1923 was a difficult year for the Weimar Republic. (6)
How far had the Weimar Republic recovered from its problems by 1928?
Explain your answer. (10)
a)
b)
Briefly describe the work of Goebbels. (4)
Explain how the events of 1930 – 1933 resulted in Hitler becoming
Chancellor. (6)
The most important reason why Hitler was able to strengthen his control
over Germany during 1933 and 1934 was the “Night of the Long Knives”. Do
you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (10)
c)
a)
b)
c)
Describe how the Nazis tried to win the loyalty of young people in Germany.
(4)
Explain why the Nazi regime tried to change the role of women. (6)
How successful was the Nazi regime in dealing with opposition to its rule?
Explain your answer. (10)
a)
b)
c)
Describe the Spartacist uprising of January 1919. [4]
Explain why the Weimar Republic faced an economic crisis in 1923. [6]
To what extent did the Weimar Republic recover in the period 1923–1929?
Explain your answer. [10]
a)
b)
c)
Describe the events of the ‘Night of the Long Knives’. [4]
Explain why the work of Goebbels was important to the Nazis. [6]
How successful was the Nazi regime in dealing with opposition? Explain your
answer. [10]
The Cold War
a)
b)
c)
What happened in the Bay of Pigs invasion of 1961. (4)
Explain why news of Soviet missiles in Cuba caused so much concern in the
USA. (6)
Who won the Cuban Missile Crisis, the USA or the USSR? Explain your answer.
(10)
a)
b)
c)
Describe what happened at the Potsdam Conference. [4]
Explain why the USA-USSR alliance had broken down by 1947. [6]
Which country had the more successful policies in Europe between 1945 and
1949: the USA or the USSR? Explain your answer. [10]
a)
b)
c)
Describe how Cuba changed under Castro. [4]
Explain Kennedy’s options after missile sites were discovered in Cuba. [6]
‘The USA was more responsible for causing the Cuban Missile Crisis than the
USSR.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10]
a)
b)
Describe the USA’s response to Castro’s seizure of power in Cuba. [4]
Explain why the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion caused problems for the
USA. [6]
‘The Cuban Missile Crisis was a victory for the Soviet Union.’ How far do you
agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10]
c)
a)
b)
c)
What was the ‘domino theory’? [4]
Explain why the Vietnam War became unpopular in the USA. [6]
‘The tactics of the USA were the main reason for its failure in the Vietnam
War.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (10)
a)
b)
c)
What was the ‘Cold War’? (4)
Explain why there were tensions at the Potsdam Conference of July 1945. (6)
The USA were more to blame than the USSR for the start of the Cold War’
How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (10)
a)
b)
c)
Describe relations between Cuba and the USA in the period 1959 – 1961. (4)
Explain why Kruschchev sent missiles to Cuba. (6)
The USA gained more from the ‘Cuban Crisis’ than the USSR.’ How far do you
agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (10)
a)
b)
c)
What was decided at the Yalta Conference of February 1945? (4)
Explain why the USA introduced the Marshall Plan. (6)
How successful was Soviet expansion in Europe by 1048? Explain your
answer. (10)
a)
b)
c)
Who were the Vietcong? (4)
Explain why America was involved in Vietnam. (6)
The following were all EQUALLY IMPORTANT reasons for the American
withdrawal from Vietnam: (10)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
The financial cost of the war.
The military tactics of the Vietcong.
The failure of US military tactics.
How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer referring only
to (i), (ii) and (iii).
a)
b)
c)
What was the ‘Iron Curtain’? (4)
Explain why Kruschchev sent missiles to Cuba in 1962. (6)
The Soviet Union was to blame for the Cold War.’ How far do you agree with
this statement? Explain your answer. (10)
a)
b)
c)
What was agreed at the Yalta conference. (4)
Explain why the USA introduced the Marshall Plan. (6)
How successful was the Soviet government at spreading communism in
Europe between 1945 and 1949? Explain your answer. (10)
a)
What events between 1959 and January 1961 led the USA to break off
diplomatic relations with Cuba? (4)
Explain why the Bay of Pigs invasion failed. (6)
How successful was Kennedy in dealing with the problem of Soviet missiles in
Cuba? Explain your answer. (10)
b)
c)
a)
b)
c)
What was agreed at the Potsdam Conference in 1945? (4)
Explain why the Soviet Union’s blockade of Berlin failed in 1949. (6)
The following were all EQUALLY IMPORTANT reasons why the Soviet Union
gained control of Eastern Europe by 1948: (10)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
The Red Army
The Secret Police
The weakness of Eastern European countries.
a)
b)
c)
What decisions about Germany were taken at Yalta and Potsdam? [4]
Explain why the wartime allies disagreed about Poland in 1945. [6]
The following were equally to blame for increasing Cold War tensions before
1950:
(i) Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe;
(ii) the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan;
(iii) the Berlin Blockade.
How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer referring only
to (i), (ii) and (iii). [10]
a)
b)
c)
Describe the USA’s reaction to the Cuban Revolution. [4]
Explain why Khrushchev placed missiles in Cuba. [6]
The outcomes of the Cuban Missile Crisis were equally successful for:
(i) the USA;
(ii) the USSR;
(iii) Cuba.
How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer referring only
to (i), (ii) and (iii). [10
Explain why Marshall Aid was offered to countries in Europe. (7)
Explain why the American forces were pulled out of Vietnam in 1973. (9)
Explain why the Soviet Union blockaded West Berlin in 1948. (6)
Explain why the war in Vietnam became increasingly unpopular in America. [8]
Explain why the USA was hostile towards the Soviet Union in the years 1945 to 1949.
[8]
Explain why the USA became involved in Vietnam. (9)