Paper 1 Section B/C: Conflict and tension between East and West,

June 2023

Q1: Source A is critical of the USSR. How do you know?

Explain your answer using Source A and your contextual knowledge. Study Sources B and C in the Sources Booklet.

Answer:

features of the source. For example, the source is critical of the USSR because it shows the difference between Soviet farms and the farms helped by the Marshall Plan. The Marshall Plan was created by America who were anti-communist. The plan gave money to help Western Europe rebuild and recover after the war. Stalin did not allow Eastern European countries to accept Marshall Aid. For example, the source shows that the Soviet people are struggling, working harder and unhappy. The cartoon is American so it will make fun of Stalin.

Q2: How useful are Sources B and C to an historian studying the Space Race?

Explain your answer using Sources B and C and your contextual knowledge.

Answer:

In analysing and evaluating sources, students will draw on their contextual example, the context of the time in which source was created, place, author’s evaluate the relationship between the sources based on analysis of For example, the sources are useful because they show the rivalry that was felt by East and West over their reputations in the Space Race. Source B shows the incomprehension and disappointment felt in America that they were not the world leader in space technology. In Source C, Mao is taking an opportunity to increase the rivalry between the ideologies of the East and West by publicly praising his Soviet host for the success of Sputnik. For example, Source B is useful because it shows that America was worried about the Space Race. The cartoon is criticising the government for falling behind because America was not as technologically advanced as the USSR was. The Space Race was based on the fear amongst Americans that the Soviet rockets used to launch the satellites could be also be used to launch nuclear weapons. By 1957, the USSR had developed missiles that could be sent to a target in the USA via space. Source C shows that the USSR was ahead of the USA in the Space Race in 1957 because they created the first For example, Source C is useful because it is propaganda from the communist Chinese government boasting about the success of the Soviet communist government. Mao’s comments were influenced by the Treaty of Friendship between the USSR and China which explain the positive comparison between the USSR and USA space programme. It is meant to encourage people in communist countries. When a Soviet Sputnik satellite orbited the Earth, it was a huge technical achievement. The Soviets continued to lead in the Space Race as they were the first to launch an animal and, later a human, into space. Source B shows that America wanted scientists to keep working on the Space For example, Source B shows that America wanted scientists to keep working on the Space Race. They created NASA to research space science. The first man on the moon was an American, Neil Armstrong. Source C shows that the USSR was ahead of the USA in the Space Race in 1957 because they created the first satellite. The two countries were rivals during the Cold War and in competition to show which government system was better. Both sides wanted to have the most weapons and the best technology. to the enquiry point, for example, Source B shows that Sputnik was travelling over America. Americans felt threatened by Sputnik. Americans were surprised by the launch of Sputnik. Source C shows that the Communists were pleased to have launched Sputnik. The USSR were ahead for most of the Space Race.

Q3: Write an account of how tensions between the East and the West began to ease from

the end of the 1960s.

Answer:

with complex sequencing and reasoning supported by a range of accurate and example, to an analysis of how/why tension decreased at different stages and /or showing understanding about how much each part of the sequence eased tensions between East and West. For example, Détente eased tension between East and West because it created opportunities for relationships between the Superpowers to change. Once China and the USSR were no longer close allies, the USA was able to exploit the split and develop better relations with China. This created more pressure on the USSR and led to the SALT I agreement. developed sequencing and reasoning supported by a range of accurate factual analysis of how/why tension decreased at one stage in the process. For example, there was a reduction in tension in the Cold War when the USA and USSR made the SALT I agreements. Neither country could continue spending huge amounts on the arms race and were willing to reduce the amounts of nuclear weapons they had. This was called ‘Détente’. For example, America’s relationship with Communist China improved. The US table tennis team travelled to China for a tournament. This was known as ‘ping- pong diplomacy’. Brezhnev and Nixon held meetings about reducing weapons. The USA pulled out of Vietnam which reduced tensions relationship between East and West improved. The threat of war decreased. Definition of Détente. should demonstrate their ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning which is coherent, relevant, substantiated and logically structured.

Q4: ‘Events in Czechoslovakia were the main reason for increased tension between East

and West after 1960.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [SPaG 4 marks] and AQA will be happy to rectify any omissions of acknowledgements. If you have any queries please contact the CopyrightTeam.

Answer:

explanation of the relationship between causes supported by detailed factual For example, events in Czechoslovakia were not the main reason for increased tension after 1960 because they did not present a nuclear threat to world security in the way that the Cuban Missile Crisis had done. However, they still caused tension because although there had been some improvement in East West relations in the 1960s, such as the establishment of a phone hotline, the issuing of the Brezhnev Doctrine in 1968, made it clear that the USSR was still determined to uphold the ‘Iron Curtain’ and the military strength of the For example, the Prague Spring increased tension because Dubcek introduced political reforms into Czechoslovakia that the other Warsaw Pact leaders were determined to stop. Dubcek had relaxed state control of the economy and press in Czechoslovakia. The USSR felt any reforms could damage the communist system as a whole. Soviet forces invaded and installed their own loyal government. International tension increased when Western countries criticised the violent response from Moscow and called for the UN to condemn The Cuban Missile Crisis was another reason for increased tension after 1960 because the USSR’s alliance with Cuba created a very threatening situation for America. Kennedy faced an enormous political challenge as Soviet nuclear missiles were installed in Cuba. When the US enforced a naval blockade around Cuba the whole world felt there was a danger of war breaking out. For example, a reason for tension after 1960 was the U2 spy plane incident. An American spy plane crash landed over the USSR. When the USSR accused them of spying, the Americans lied and said the plane was taking weather photographs. Khrushchev demanded an apology, but Eisenhower refused. The Paris Peace summit did not go ahead. The building of the Berlin Wall led to tension after 1960. Krushchev ordered the wall to be put up overnight which surprised and divided Berlin. The wall divided families and hundreds of people died trying to cross. There was a stand-off between US and USSR tanks at Checkpoint Charlie. Many people feared war. invaded Czechoslovakia and killed protesters. This ended the Prague Spring. was an increase in tension when USSR built the Berlin Wall. At one point American and Soviet tanks faced each other on either side of Check Point • The learner’s achievement in SPaG does not reach the threshold